Category: Moments of Meditation

May 9, 2025

Broadcast

                      The Good Shepherd - Part 5
                              John 10:16
                              05/09/2025


        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)

        When Jesus told His followers that He is the Good Shepherd,
   many thought that He came only to the people of Israel.  But God
   so loved the world that He gave only-begotten Son to live, die,
   and rise again for the salvation of all people.  Jesus 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.''

        Jews and gentiles, male and female, young and old, of all
   races and languages, are part of the Good Shepherd's flock.  When
   the Shepherd cried out from the cross, ``It is finished,'' He
   paid the price of sin for each person.  He desires that all
   people come to Him to receive the gift of life everlasting.

        One small part of the Good Shepherd's flock meets each
   Sunday at 9:00 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church.  Please come and
   hear the good news that the Shepherd died to redeem you from sin
   and eternal death.  The gift of life has already been given to
   you.  Jesus asks that you take what He has earned on the cross
   and sealed with the empty tomb.

        If you are a lamb who is weak of faith, sick in your soul,
   injured by the lies and demands of this world, come and hear of
   the Good Shepherd.  Receive from Him the gifts of comfort and
   peace.

        May our Lord continue to bless us with the knowledge of the
   Good Shepherd, the wisdom to accept the good news of His love,
   and the faith which trusts in Him alone.  Amen.

May 8, 2025

Broadcast

                      The Good Shepherd - Part 4
                             John 10:14-15
                              05/08/2025


        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)

        Jesus told His followers:
        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.


        Jesus, the Good Shepherd, knows each of His sheep intimately
   and completely.  This is not merely recognition, but true
   knowledge of our flaws, our strengths, and our needs.  Indeed, He
   is more aware of our true selves than we possibly can know.  Yet,
   in spite of our flaw, our weaknesses, our sins, He lays down His
   life for His sheep.

        Because Jesus knows us better than we know ourselves, we
   come to know Him as our Savior, our Redeemer from sin and death.
   In giving His life for us, He sacrifices Himself for our eternal
   blessing.  Only through Him are we reconciled to the Father.
   Only through Him can we have the peace of knowing our sins are
   forgiven.  Because He is both true God and true man, Jesus knows
   our needs, and daily provides for our hope and peace.

        The bond between Jesus Christ and His people is as strong as
   the bond between the Father and the Son.  We know what the
   Shepherd has planned for us, life everlasting with Him.  We know
   what it takes to receive His gift of salvation, nothing on our
   part, for our redemption from sin and death is a gift bestowed
   long before we knew Him.

        The Good Shepherd is pleased as we respond to His love, as
   we reflect His love to others.  We love our neighbors because the
   Shepherd first loved us.

        May our Lord grant us His grace to know His love and mercy,
   which brings us the peace which the world cannot give.  Amen.

May 7, 2025

Broadcast

                      The Good Shepherd - Part 3
                             John 10:12-13
                              05/07/2025


        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 warned us about the hirelings, the false shepherds who
   deceive the flock.
        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.


        How can we recognize a false shepherd?  What do they teach?
   If the shepherd claims the Bible is not completely the Word of
   God, that it contains stories and myths which are simply object
   lessons, such as the creation account, that is a false shepherd.
   If the shepherd claims that all religions lead to God, so it does
   not matter what you believe as long as you are sincere, that is a
   false shepherd.  If the shepherd claims that you must do
   something to attract the attention of God, that is a false
   shepherd.  If the shepherd claims that you must earn your
   salvation, even a little bit, that is a false shepherd.

        You can also recognize a false shepherd if they demand some
   sort of payment, or claim special knowledge known only to a few.
   The false shepherd demands respect and titles and obedience.  Yet
   the false shepherd is not available when you need help, when you
   are facing a crisis.  False shepherds also make demands to
   control the sheep, demands such as prohibiting certain foods or
   demanding certain clothing.

        The Good Shepherd is gracious and merciful, desiring to care
   for all the sheep without the thought of reward.  He gives His
   life, not because the sheep are lovable, but because they are
   not.

        May our Lord give us wisdom to flee the false shepherds and
   to return to the Good Shepherd.  Amen.

May 5, 2025

Broadcast

                      The Good Shepherd - Part 1
                              John 10:11
                              05/05/2025


        11   I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays
             down his life for the sheep.  (ESV)

        There are two Bible passages with which most people are
   familiar.  The first is John 3:16, ``For God so loved the world,
   that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in
   him should not perish, but have everlasting life.''[1] The other
   is the Twenty-Third Psalm, ``The LORD is my shepherd I shall not
   want.''

        In this week's Gospel reading, Jesus ties the two passages
   together in order to bring comfort and hope to all people.  Jesus
   said, ``I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his
   life for the sheep.''

        When we look at the Twenty-Third Psalm, we realize that we,
   the sheep of God's pasture, are very dependent of the Shepherd.
   He feeds us, He gives us water, He comforts us when we are
   afraid, He binds our wounds when we are injured, He gives us a
   safe and secure home with protection from those things which
   would hurt us.

        God's sheep are far from show quality, far from being
   perfect examples of the flock.  They are weak, sick, injured, and
   helpless.  They like to stray away, they like to leave the
   Shepherd to seek new adventures.  Yet the Shepherd loves them
   enough to die for them, to take upon Himself their guilt, the
   stain of their sheepish ways.

        May our Lord grant that we see the Good Shepherd as our
   Savior from sin and death, and in Him dwell securely.  Amen.
   ____________________

   1. John 3:16 KJV

May 2, 2025

Broadcast

                   These Things are Written - Part 5
                             John 20:30-31
                              05/02/2025


        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)

        Saint John wrote:
        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.


        Why does the Church exist?  Is it to demand that you live in
   a certain way, that you perform certain actions, that you refrain
   from certain activities?  Does the Church exist to lay down the
   Law, to look over your shoulder to make sure you walk the
   straight and narrow?  If so, please don't join.

        But the Church is not about laying down the law, but
   proclaiming God's love.  God does not demand that you fear, love,
   and trust in Him above all things, but He invites you to become
   part of His family.  By being part of God's family, you receive
   the inheritance of life everlasting because trusting in Jesus
   Christ brings us the forgiveness of our sins.  The Church
   proclaims the good news: ``If you confess with your mouth that
   Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from
   the dead, you will be saved.''[1] Even the faith which believes
   that Jesus is the Christ is a gift from God given to you through
   His Word and sacraments.

        The name of Christ Jesus reveals who He is and the work the
   Father sent Him to accomplish.  Please join us this Sunday at
   Trinity Lutheran Church at 9:00 a.m. to hear again of God's love
   and mercy as found in Jesus.  This may be a life-changing
   experience which brings you the peace which the world cannot
   give.  May our Lord bless is with faith in Jesus as our Redeemer
   so that we may have life in His name.  Amen.
   ____________________

   1. Romans 10:9 (ESV)

May 1, 2025

Broadcast

                   These Things are Written - Part 4
                             John 20:30-31
                              05/01/2025


        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)

        Saint John wrote:
        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.


        Is the Bible written to be a list of rules and regulations?
   As Christians, must we follow a certain dress code, refrain from
   eating certain foods, and avoid certain activities?  Are we
   redeemed from sin, death, and the power of the devil because of
   our own works, or are we saved because of God's rich grace and
   undeserved love?

        We believe, teach, and confess, in accordance with the clear
   Word of God, that our salvation from sin and death is by God's
   love alone, not a result of our works.  Jesus died, not because
   we are nice people, but because we are not nice people.  His
   death is payment for our sin.  Our good works pay nothing on the
   debt we owe to God and neighbor because of our sin.

        The Bible, including John's Gospel, is written so that we
   may know that Jesus is the Son of God.  That is the message of
   the Bible.  The Bible is not about our good works which earn us
   heaven, not a list of dietary rules or Christian clothing
   fashions.  The Bible is the message, ``Jesus is the Christ, the
   Son of the living God.''[1]

        May our Lord open our hearts and minds to His Holy Word to
   see that Jesus is the promised Messiah, the Christ, who bore our
   sins for our salvation.  Amen.
   ____________________

   1. Matthew 16:16

April 30, 2025

Broadcast

                   These Things are Written - Part 3
                             John 20:30-31
                              04/30/2025


        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)

        Saint John wrote:
        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.


        One of the frustrating things about the inspired, inerrant,
   holy Word of God is it omits many things we are curious to know.
   What was Jesus like growing up?  How and when did Joseph, Mary's
   husband, die?  Did Mary and Joseph have children after the birth
   of Jesus, or are those who are called Jesus' brothers and sisters
   a family Joseph brought into his marriage with Mary?

        Saint John clearly says that we will have questions which
   cannot be answered.  Those questions, however, are not relevant
   to our salvation from sin and death, so he did not include the
   answers in his writings.  Jesus never promised us the complete
   knowledge of life, universe, and everything, only that we would
   know of God's love, grace, and mercy.

        What the Bible reveals is God's plan of salvation, promised
   to Adam and Eve, given to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, fulfilled in
   Jesus Christ.  Beyond that, the Bible remains silent.  Although
   we desire to be like God, knowing good and evil, knowing
   everything, that desire leads to death.  In faith we trust God to
   reveal that which we need to know, and that is sufficient for our
   salvation.

        May our Lord grant us the wisdom to trust in Him and not to
   lean on our own understanding, wisdom, and knowledge.  Amen.

April 29, 2025

Broadcast

                   These Things are Written - Part 2
                             John 20:30-31
                              04/29/2025


        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)

        Saint John wrote:
        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.


        Each of the Evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John,
   clearly state in the beginning of their Gospels that Jesus is the
   Son of God.  He is truly divine, even as He took on our humanity
   by being born of the virgin Mary.  Because Jesus was born of a
   virgin, having no human father, He was conceived without the sin
   that is passed from Adam to each person.

        How did Jesus show His divinity while visibly present?  He
   performed many miracles, from changing water into wine, thus
   showing His power over creation, to the resurrection, thus
   showing His power over death.  Each of these signs demonstrated
   something about Jesus, showing His power over a different aspect
   of creation.  All of the signs point to Jesus as the Christ, the
   One promised by God to bear the burden of our sin.  Jesus told
   His disciples on the night He was betrayed,
        Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the
        Father is in me?  The words that I say to you I do not
        speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in
        me does his works.  Believe me that I am in the Father
        and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of
        the works themselves.[1]


        May we see by the signs that Jesus did in the presence of
   His disciples, that they recorded as eyewitnesses of Jesus, that
   He is the long-promised Christ.  Amen.
   ____________________

   1. John 14:10-11 (ESV)

April 28, 2025

Broadcast

                   These Things are Written - Part 1
                             John 20:30-31
                              04/28/2025


        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)

        Saint John wrote:
        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.


        This week we are exploring the end of Saint John's Gospel,
   the reason he wrote the book.  As we do this, we will discover
   again the truth of God's grace, love, and mercy as the Father
   sent His only-begotten Son to redeem the world from sin and
   eternal death.

        Clearly John confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, the
   Messiah first promised by God to Adam and Eve the day that they
   ate the forbidden fruit.  Their sin was passed from father to
   child throughout all generations.  We teach our children how to
   be polite, not to hurt each other.  We have no need to teach our
   children how to be selfish, rebellious, and mean.  Adam's sin
   infects us all, from the moment of conception to the moment of
   our temporal death.

        God's plan of salvation was first revealed when He cursed
   the serpent, saying, ``He shall bruise your head and you shall
   bruise His heel.''[1] John begins his Gospel with the creation,
   ``In the beginning was the Word,''[2] and ends it with Thomas'
   confession of faith, ``My Lord and my God.''[3]

        May our Lord open our hearts and minds to the good news that
   Jesus is the long-promised Messiah who has redeemed us from sin
   and death.  Amen.
   ____________________
   1. Genesis 3:15
   2. John 1:1
   3. John 20:28

April 25, 2025

Broadcast

                            Easter - Part 5
                             John 20:8-10
                              04/25/2025


        8    Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb
             first, also went in, and he saw and believed;
        9    for as yet they did not understand the Scripture,
             that he must rise from the dead.
        10   Then the disciples went back to their homes.
             (ESV)

        The eyewitness accounts of the life of Jesus Christ, of the
   early Church, do not always put the disciples in the best of
   light.  Indeed, they are frequently shown to be slow to
   understand and slow to act.  This certainly is true of the
   written events of Easter morning.

        After Mary Magdalene had seen the tomb, that the stone had
   been rolled away, she quickly went to tell Peter and John.  They,
   in turn, ran to the tomb.  John looked in and saw the empty tomb,
   while Peter entered and looked at the burial cloths.

        Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb
        first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as
        yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must
        rise from the dead.  Then the disciples went back to
        their homes.


        Did John, at this point, believe that Jesus had risen from
   the dead?  So it seems, but that belief was not very strong.
   Only after they had learned from the Scriptures, from the Old
   Testament prophecies about the Messiah, the Christ, the Savior,
   did they understand what they had actually witnessed.

        Jesus' resurrection is a necessary part of our salvation
   from sin and death.  His death paid the price of our sin.  His
   resurrection proves His power over death, which says that we also
   shall rise on the last day.

        That is the message of hope which we proclaim each Sunday
   morning at 9:00 a.m.  at Trinity Lutheran Church.  Please join
   us, even if this coming Sunday is not the day of Easter, to hear
   more of Christ's work to redeem you, to give to you life
   everlasting.

        Christ is risen.  He is risen indeed.  Alleluia!  Amen.