Category: Moments of Meditation

May 16, 2025

Broadcast

                        A Little While - Part 5
                              John 16:22
                              05/16/2025


        22   So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you
             again and your hearts will rejoice, and no one
             will take your joy from you.''  (ESV)

        Jesus said, ``A little while, and you will see me no longer;
   and again a little while, and you will see me.''  He also
   promised His disciples, ``So also you have sorrow now, but I will
   see you again and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take
   your joy from you.''

        The Church waits for the coming of Jesus, the end of the
   ``little while'' where we are unable to see Him face to face.
   While we wait, we read His Words, study His promises, and trust
   in the sacrifice He made to redeem us from sin, death, and the
   power of the devil.  In the midst of life, in the tragedies and
   triumphs while we wait, we have the eternal hope of life
   everlasting in the mansions of the Father.

        Yet Jesus did not leave us without His presence, without His
   comfort.  He sent the Holy Spirit to call us to faith, to
   enlighten us with the gifts God bestows upon His people.  Faith
   is the sure and certain knowledge that Jesus' death and
   resurrection are for you and your redemption from sin and death.
   Faith is more than knowledge, it is acknowledging and agreeing
   that the message of hope is true.  Faith is the trust in that
   true message, you are saved from the guilt of your sin, you are
   given life in Jesus' name, by God's rich gift of love and grace
   alone.

        In order to give us a tangible proof of His mercy, Jesus
   gave the Church the sacraments which bring us the forgiveness of
   sins and renew our faith in Him.  God invites us to come into His
   presence to receive these gifts, given without price, given out
   of His love.  Please accept His invitation by joining us at
   Trinity Lutheran Church to hear His Word, to receive His gift of
   redemption, as we gather each Sunday at 9:00 a.m.

        May our Lord grant you the peace and joy which come from
   knowing Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Broadcast

                        A Little While - Part 4
                             John 16:21-22
                              05/15/2025


        21   ``When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow
             because her hour has come, but when she has
             delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the
             anguish, for joy that a human being has been born
             into the world.
        22   So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you
             again and your hearts will rejoice, and no one
             will take your joy from you.''  (ESV)

        The Royal Air Force and the state of Kansas have similar
   mottoes.  While the Royal Air Force says, ``Per ardura ad
   astra,'' Kansas intones, ``Ad astra per aspera.''  Those in the
   blue suits with silver wings say ``Through adversity to the
   stars,'' and the Sunflower State replies, ``To the stars through
   difficulty.''  Both would appreciate Jesus' words as He taught
   His disciples.

        ``When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because
        her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby,
        she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a
        human being has been born into the world.  So also you
        have sorrow now, but I will see you again and your
        hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from
        you.''


        While we are in the little while between Jesus' Ascension
   and His return, we indeed have sorrow.  Each person knows the
   grief of separation, the fear of the unknown, the concern for our
   daily bread and shelter and clothing.  Christians and non-
   Christians alike suffer tragedies and setbacks.  For those who
   have rejected God's gift of love, grace, and mercy, the pains and
   sorrows of this life seem unending.  They have no hope.  For
   those who have faith in Jesus, these same pains and sorrows are
   but a little while, something which can be tolerated because
   there is a positive end in sight.  Jesus is coming to take His
   people to live with Him forever.

        The joys of this world are fleeting.  Even as we bask in the
   sunlight while on vacation, we know that work awaits, thus our
   earthly joys are tempered with the cares of this life.  But in
   Christ Jesus we have the hope of the resurrection and life
   everlasting, that joy that can never be taken away.  May our Lord
   grant us the hope which brings us the true joy of His grace and
   mercy.  Amen.

May 14, 2025

Broadcast

                        A Little While - Part 3
                              John 16:20
                              05/14/2025


        20   Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and
             lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be
             sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.''
             (ESV)

        The words Jesus spoke to the disciples the night He was
   betrayed are also given to the Church.
        Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament,
        but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but
        your sorrow will turn into joy.''


        Jesus ascended into heaven forty days after Easter.  The
   Church no longer physically sees Him and longs for His return.
   While we wait, the Church is at odds with the world.  When the
   world and the Church agree, the Church as taken its eyes off of
   Jesus, turning to the secular god of popularity and acceptance.

        Only as the Church confronts the world, accuses the world of
   the selfishness of sin, does the Church truly prepare the world
   for hearing the Gospel.  Only as we know that we are sinful, only
   as we weep and lament that our own wisdom and strength cannot
   reconcile us to God, are we prepared to hear the good news of
   Jesus Christ.

        The good news is this.  Jesus died on the cross to pay the
   price of your sin and mine.  Jesus rose on the third day, proving
   that His sacrifice is acceptable in the Father's sight.  The
   forgiveness of sins earned by Jesus as He died and rose is given
   to you as a gift, unearned and undeserved.  As you believe this,
   you have the assurance of eternal life.  The faith, the trust,
   which allows you to believe that Jesus died and rose again for
   you is also a gift from God, not your own work.

        May our Lord turn our lament over our sin into the joy of
   His salvation.  Amen.

May 13, 2025

Broadcast

                        A Little While - Part 2
                             John 16:19-20
                              05/13/2025


        19   Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said
             to them, ``Is this what you are asking yourselves,
             what I meant by saying, `A little while and you
             will not see me, and again a little while and you
             will see me?'
        20   Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and
             lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be
             sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.''
             (ESV)

        The disciples were confused.  They were walking with Jesus
   to the Garden of Gethsemane after the dinner where Jesus
   instituted the Lord's Supper.  Although Jesus had done and said
   many things that evening, His words about leaving and returning
   were the most perplexing.

        Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to
        them, ``Is this what you are asking yourselves, what I
        meant by saying, `A little while and you will not see
        me, and again a little while and you will see me?'
        Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament,
        but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but
        your sorrow will turn into joy.''


        All of the things Jesus taught, all His prophecies, were
   revealed to be true.  Within a few minutes, Jesus was arrested
   and taken before the High Priest, Pilate, Herod, and back to
   Pilate.  He bore the wood of the cross for His execution.  His
   followers gave Him a hasty burial, one they intended to complete
   in a little while, after the Sabbath day.

        The disciples wept and lamented because Jesus was dead.  The
   chief priests and rulers of the Temple rejoiced for the same
   reason.  Pilate was relieved because he had avoided another nasty
   confrontation with the Jewish leaders.

        This changed on the third day.  Although the realization
   took a while, the truth of the resurrection and the promised
   coming of the Holy Spirit brought joy to the disciples.

        May the presence of Christ Jesus, who comes to us today in
   Word and sacrament, bring you the joy of knowing your sins are
   forgiven for His sake.  Amen.

May 12, 2025

Broadcast

                        A Little While - Part 1
                             John 16:16-18
                              05/12/2025


        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)

        During the forty-nine days of the Easter Season, the Church
   focuses on Jesus' words of comfort which He gave His disciples on
   the night He was betrayed.  We are preparing for His Ascension
   where He is no longer visibly present.  The Gospel reading for
   this week, part of the conversation Jesus had with His disciples
   as they walked from the upper room to the Garden of Gethsemane,
   speaks both of Jesus' death and resurrection, and His Ascension.

        ``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.''


        Within a few short minutes, Jesus would be met in the Garden
   by Judas and the Temple guards.  There He would be forcibly taken
   away from the disciples, tortured, crucified, and buried.  For
   three days the disciples could not see their Lord, for He was in
   the tomb.

        Even at this point of Jesus' time on earth, His disciples
   expected that Jesus would restore the temporal kingdom of David
   and Solomon.  They did not know, they did not understand, that
   Jesus' kingdom is a spiritual kingdom, an eternal kingdom which
   is not of this world.

        This week we will examine Jesus' words, finding hope even in
   the turmoil of our own days.

        May our Lord grant you the joy of knowing your sins are
   forgiven for the sake of Jesus Christ.  Amen.

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)