Category: Moments of Meditation

April 27, 2026

Broadcast

                      The Light of Truth - Part 1
                             John 16:16-18
                              04/27/2026


        16   ``A little while, and you will see me no longer;
             and again a little while, and you will see me.''
        17   So some of his disciples said to one another,
             ``What is this that he says to us, `A little
             while, and you will not see me, and again a little
             while, and you will see me'; and, `because I am
             going to the Father'?''
        18   So they were saying, ``What does he mean by `a
             little while'? We do not know what he is talking
             about.''  (ESV)

        The Easter season lasts seven weeks.  During the forty-nine
   days of Easter, we celebrate our Lord's resurrection from the
   dead, proving that His death overcame sin once and for all time.
   Yet, especially during the last several weeks of the Easter
   season, our readings prepare us for His departure, for His
   ascension where He sits at the right hand of the Father.

        ``A little while, and you will see me no longer; and
        again a little while, and you will see me.''  So some
        of his disciples said to one another, ``What is this
        that he says to us, `A little while, and you will not
        see me, and again a little while, and you will see me';
        and, `because I am going to the Father'?''  So they
        were saying, ``What does he mean by `a little while'?
        We do not know what he is talking about.''


        Jesus' disciples, just like every Christian today, were at
   the same time saints and sinners.  As saints they believed Jesus
   and trusted Him.  As sinners, they doubted, had misconceptions,
   or even accused Jesus, at times, of preaching falsely.

        Therefore the Church prays:
        Almighty God, You show those in error the light of Your
        truth so that they may return to the way of
        righteousness.  Grant faithfulness to all who are
        admitted into the fellowship of Christ's Church that
        they may avoid whatever is contrary to their confession
        and follow all such things as are pleasing to You;
        through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and
        reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and
        forever.


        This week we will examine the Gospel lesson, Jesus' words
   while He and His disciples walked towards the Garden of
   Gethsemane and the prayer of the Church.  May our Lord grant us
   grace that we may see the light of His truth which leads to life
   everlasting.  Amen.

April 24, 2026

Broadcast

                      The Good Shepherd - Part 5
                              John 10:16
                              04/24/2026


        16   And I have other sheep that are not of this fold.
             I must bring them also, and they will listen to my
             voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.
             (ESV)

        Our prayer this week confesses that the Church is the people
   of God who trust in Christ Jesus for salvation from sin and
   eternal death, that through Him we have the joys of heaven.
        O God, through the humiliation of Your Son You raised
        up the fallen world.  Grant to Your faithful people,
        rescued from the peril of everlasting death, perpetual
        gladness and eternal joys.


        We believe, teach, and confess that it is God's almighty
   will that all people come to the knowledge of Jesus Christ and
   are redeemed from eternal condemnation.  Jesus, Himself, said:
   ``And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring
   them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one
   flock, one shepherd.''

        There is one holy, Christian, and Apostolic Church which
   will remain forever.  No matter what race or nationality, all
   people are forgiven for the sake of Jesus' suffering, death, and
   resurrection.  That is the true message of the Church, and the
   hope which we proclaim.

        You cannot know of God's rich love, grace, and mercy unless
   you hear His Word.  You cannot have an informed opinion of Christ
   Jesus unless you are given the truth of the Scriptures.
   Therefore, please join us at Trinity Lutheran Church, this Sunday
   and every Sunday, at 9:00 a.m. to learn about Jesus and God's
   rich grace and mercy.

        May our Lord give us faith which trusts in Christ Jesus as
   our Redeemer.  Amen.

April 23, 2026

Broadcast

                      The Good Shepherd - Part 4
                             John 10:14-15
                              04/23/2026


        14   I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own
             know me,
        15   just as the Father knows me and I know the Father;
             and I lay down my life for the sheep.  (ESV)

        Our prayer this week confesses that our only hope of
   salvation from sin and eternal death is given to us by the death
   and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
        O God, through the humiliation of Your Son You raised
        up the fallen world.  Grant to Your faithful people,
        rescued from the peril of everlasting death, perpetual
        gladness and eternal joys.


        The Church is one with Christ Jesus in the same way Jesus is
   one with the Father.  Jesus said:
        I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know
        me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father;
        and I lay down my life for the sheep.


        As members of Christ Jesus, we also have died with Him and
   have risen with Him to new life.  Saint Paul and Saint Peter both
   speak of baptism as joining us to Christ's death and
   resurrection, for we are one with Him.  Because we have been
   joined in this union with Jesus, we are declared holy and
   righteous in the Father's sight because Jesus bore our sins upon
   the cross.

        Christ Jesus gave the Church the sacraments of baptism and
   the Lord's Supper to assure us that we are part of His body, the
   Church, and have received the full benefits of His sacrifice on
   the cross.

        We believe, teach, and confess that God gives us the gift of
   forgiveness out of His undeserved love, grace, and mercy.  We do
   not earn God's grace and favor, but are called to be one with
   Christ Jesus out of His love alone.

        May our Lord comfort us with the sure and certain hope given
   to us because Jesus died and rose again for our salvation.  Amen.

April 22, 2026

Broadcast

                      The Good Shepherd - Part 3
                             John 10:14-15
                              04/22/2026


        14   I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own
             know me,
        15   just as the Father knows me and I know the Father;
             and I lay down my life for the sheep.  (ESV)

        Our prayer this week confesses that our only hope of
   salvation from sin and eternal death is given to us by the death
   and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
        O God, through the humiliation of Your Son You raised
        up the fallen world.  Grant to Your faithful people,
        rescued from the peril of everlasting death, perpetual
        gladness and eternal joys.


        How does this salvation happen?  Jesus said:
        I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know
        me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father;
        and I lay down my life for the sheep.


        Here is the mystery of the Trinity, the Triune God, and the
   Church.  We worship one God, yet Three Persons, Father, Son, and
   Holy Spirit.  The Three Persons are of one mind, one essence, in
   a way that we simply cannot explain.

        The Church is one with Christ Jesus in the same way that
   Jesus is one with the Father.  We are of one mind with Christ,
   His people, His flock.  Indeed, without Christ Jesus the Church
   does not and cannot exist.  Without Christ Jesus, we are lost and
   condemned, but with Him we are one with God.

        May our Lord grant us faith to recognize that the Church has
   hope because we are part of Christ Jesus, our Lord.  Amen.

April 21, 2026

Broadcast

                      The Good Shepherd - Part 2
                             John 10:11-13
                              04/21/2026


        11   I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays
             down his life for the sheep.
        12   He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who
             does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and
             leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches
             them and scatters them.
        13   He flees because he is a hired hand and cares
             nothing for the sheep.  (ESV)

        Our prayer this week asks God to grant us the joy of eternal
   life with Him because the Good Shepherd laid down His life for
   His sheep.
        O God, through the humiliation of Your Son You raised
        up the fallen world.  Grant to Your faithful people,
        rescued from the peril of everlasting death, perpetual
        gladness and eternal joys.


        How does this prayer fit with the Gospel reading?
        I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his
        life for the sheep.  He who is a hired hand and not a
        shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf
        coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf
        snatches them and scatters them.  He flees because he
        is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.


        Our Lord Jesus Christ gave the world the Church to proclaim
   His goodness and mercy through the Word of God and the
   Sacraments.  He called men to be under-shepherds, to serve in His
   name to bring the peace of God to all people.

        We pray for good under-shepherds, men who faithfully preach
   the Word, call sinners to repent, and to bring the peace of the
   forgiveness of sins to those who call upon the Name of the Lord.
   Unfortunately, pastors are at the same time saints and sinners,
   as are all of God's people.  Some pastors fleece the sheep, going
   through the motions but not truly serving God's flock.  On
   occasion, a pastor turns out to be a wolf, devouring the sheep
   with false teachings.

        Thus we pray for the Church, and for all who are called to
   the Office of the Ministry, that the Word of God may be taught in
   all truth and purity, and that the Sacraments are administered
   according to Christ's institution.

        May our Lord grant us faithful under-shepherds who care for
   His flock.  Amen.

April 20, 2026

Broadcast

                      The Good Shepherd - Part 1
                             John 10:11-13
                              04/20/2026


        11   I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays
             down his life for the sheep.
        12   He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who
             does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and
             leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches
             them and scatters them.
        13   He flees because he is a hired hand and cares
             nothing for the sheep.  (ESV)

        Jesus told His disciples:
        I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his
        life for the sheep.  He who is a hired hand and not a
        shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf
        coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf
        snatches them and scatters them.  He flees because he
        is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.


        On this, the Third Week of Easter, our focus shifts to the
   blessings of God given to us through Jesus.  His greatest gift,
   given for the sake of His death and resurrection, is the
   forgiveness of our sins.  We, like sheep, have gone astray, yet
   because of God's love, He has sought us and preserves us.

        Our prayer this week reflects the love of God for His
   people.
        O God, through the humiliation of Your Son You raised
        up the fallen world.  Grant to Your faithful people,
        rescued from the peril of everlasting death, perpetual
        gladness and eternal joys; through Jesus Christ, our
        Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy
        Spirit, one God, now and forever.


        Truly, this prayer reminds us of Jesus' sacrifice, and the
   gift of eternal life which He gives to those who trust in Him.

        May our Lord grant us faith to receive the joys of heaven
   for the sake of Jesus Christ.  Amen.

April 17, 2026

Broadcast

                       Confessing Jesus - Part 5
                             John 20:30-31
                              04/17/2026


        30   Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of
             the disciples, which are not written in this book;
        31   but these are written so that you may believe that
             Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by
             believing you may have life in his name.  (ESV)

        Last Sunday the Church prayed:
        Almighty God, grant that we who have celebrated the
        Lord's resurrection may by Your grace confess in our
        life and conversation that Jesus is Lord and God.


        The ongoing mission of the Church is to proclaim the good
   news of salvation from sin, death, and the power of the devil
   because of God's love for the sake of the death and resurrection
   of Christ Jesus.  Our life and conversation proclaim that Jesus
   is Lord and God.

        We believe, teach, and confess that our redemption is
   because of God's grace, not our works.  Because we are born in
   sin, we do not desire to seek God, but run from Him.  Yet, as we
   hear the Word of God, as we see the Word joined with the visible
   elements of water, of bread and wine, we come to know and trust
   in Christ Jesus.

        Saint John finished the story of Thomas with the words,
   ``Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.''
   John points us to his eyewitness account of the life and work of
   Jesus.  Here is the purpose of the Bible, from Genesis to
   Revelations.

        Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the
        disciples, which are not written in this book; but
        these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is
        the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you
        may have life in his name.


        Please join us at Trinity Lutheran Church each Sunday at
   9:00 a.m. to learn more about Christ Jesus so that you also may
   have life in His name.

        May our Lord grant us faith to trust in Him for life
   everlasting.  Amen.

April 16, 2026

Broadcast

                       Confessing Jesus - Part 4
                              John 20:29
                              04/16/2026


        29   Jesus said to him, ``Have you believed because you
             have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen
             and yet have believed.''  (ESV)

        Last Sunday the Church prayed:
        Almighty God, grant that we who have celebrated the
        Lord's resurrection may by Your grace confess in our
        life and conversation that Jesus is Lord and God.


        Yesterday we asked the question, ``How does this prayer
   relate to Thomas?''  Because Thomas saw and touched Jesus, he
   confessed Jesus as Lord and God.  According to tradition, Thomas
   traveled to India and, possibly, China to proclaim the good news
   of Jesus Christ.  He made this good confession, both in word and
   deed, as he brought the peace of God to those in the Asian
   subcontinent.

        You and I, however, do not have the luxury of touching
   Jesus' wounds or hearing His voice.  Yet, all who believe in Him
   came to faith because God revealed Himself to them.  We believe,
   teach, and confess that faith comes from hearing the Word of God
   in its truth and purity.

        ``Jesus said to [Thomas], ``Have you believed because you
   have seen me?  Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have
   believed.' '' You and I are counted among the blessed, for the
   truth of salvation by God's rich grace alone has been given to
   us.

        May our Lord grant that we hear His Word and believe that
   Jesus Christ is our Lord and God as confessed by Thomas.  Amen.

April 15, 2026

Broadcast

                       Confessing Jesus - Part 3
                             John 20:26-28
                              04/15/2026


        26   Eight days later, his disciples were inside again,
             and Thomas was with them.  Although the doors were
             locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said,
             ``Peace be with you.''
        27   Then he said to Thomas, ``Put your finger here,
             and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place
             it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.''
        28   Thomas answered him, ``My Lord and my God!''
             (ESV)

        Last Sunday the Church prayed:
        Almighty God, grant that we who have celebrated the
        Lord's resurrection may by Your grace confess in our
        life and conversation that Jesus is Lord and God.


        Yesterday we asked the question, ``How does this prayer
   relate to Thomas?''
        Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and
        Thomas was with them.  Although the doors were locked,
        Jesus came and stood among them and said, ``Peace be
        with you.''  Then he said to Thomas, ``Put your finger
        here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and
        place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.''
        Thomas answered him, ``My Lord and my God!''


        Because we are born in sin, each one of us needs convincing
   of the truth that Jesus Christ died and rose again for our
   salvation.  For Thomas it was touching Jesus.  As he realized the
   truth that Jesus is risen from the dead, he confessed his faith,
   calling Jesus ``My Lord and my God.''  Faith confesses Christ
   Jesus, just as the prayer of the day asks God to enable us to do.

        We confess our faith in thought, word, and deed.  As we look
   to Christ Jesus for our redemption from sin and eternal death, we
   also become more aware of the needs of our neighbors.  Our
   desires turn from our selfishness to the good of others.

        May our Lord grant us faith which confesses Jesus as Lord
   and God.  Amen.

April 14, 2026

Broadcast

                       Confessing Jesus - Part 2
                             John 20:24-25
                              04/14/2026


        24   Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin,
             was not with them when Jesus came.
        25   So the other disciples told him, ``We have seen
             the Lord.'' But he said to them, ``Unless I see in
             his hands the mark of the nails, and place my
             finger into the mark of the nails, and place my
             hand into his side, I will never believe.''  (ESV)

        Last Sunday the Church prayed:
        Almighty God, grant that we who have celebrated the
        Lord's resurrection may by Your grace confess in our
        life and conversation that Jesus is Lord and God.


        How does this prayer fit with the faith of Thomas, the
   disciple of Jesus?  Ten of the disciples were convinced that
   Jesus had arisen from the dead.  They could not help but tell
   Thomas, who was not with them on the evening of Easter, of this
   good news.

        Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not
        with them when Jesus came.  So the other disciples told
        him, ``We have seen the Lord.'' But he said to them,
        ``Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and
        place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place
        my hand into his side, I will never believe.''


        We often are like Thomas, not believing that which reliable
   people tell us.  The good news of salvation by grace through
   faith for the sake of Christ does not seem to fit our view of the
   world, it does not seem to fit what we consider to be true.
   Maybe we think it doesn't apply to us, that Jesus is for sinners,
   and we aren't as bad as others.  Maybe we think that science
   holds the answers, that the Bible, being an ancient source, is no
   longer relevant.

        Can you imagine the other ten disciples, their frustration
   with Thomas?  They wanted the best for him, the peace of knowing
   that Jesus lives, yet they were dealing with his reluctance to
   hear the truth.

        May our Lord open our hearts and minds to hear the truth,
   that we do need the grace of God which is found in Christ Jesus
   alone.  Amen.