Month: April 2023

[Jesus] appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.
1 Corinthians 15:5-8

The Life-Changing Resurrection

Daily Devotion – April 13, 2023

Devotion based on 1 Corinthians 15:5-8

See series: Devotions

After Jesus’ death on Good Friday, his disciples were scattered and scared for their lives. Their leader was dead. Their enemies held all the power. It was only a matter of time until this following of Jesus fell apart.

But that never happened. And instead of dissolving, the Jesus following slowly grew. The disciples of Jesus came out of hiding and started boldly teaching about Jesus. A skeptic of Jesus became the leader of the church in Jerusalem. And someone who tried to imprison and kill the followers of Jesus turned into the greatest missionary for Jesus. What happened?

Jesus appeared to them. Not beaten, battered, and broken, but alive and well. Jesus had been dead. He was executed by professional Roman soldiers. But he rose from the dead and started showing people that he held the keys to death.

Jesus’ change from death to life changed the people who witnessed him alive. Fear turned into confidence. Doubt turned into faith. Persecution turned into the right kind of zeal. Jesus’ resurrection from the grave was life-changing.

It still is. Jesus’ resurrection means we have a sure hope of eternal life. It means that because Jesus went through death and came out alive on the other side, we will too. It means that whatever this world throws at us, Jesus will get us through it. It means that Jesus is who he says he is and will keep all his promises. It means he is your Savior from sin. That is life-changing!

Prayer: (Christian Worship: Hymnal: – 440)
So let us keep the festival to which the Lord invites us; Christ is himself the joy of all, the sun that warms and lights us. Now his grace to us imparts eternal sunshine to our hearts; the night of sin is ended. Alleluia, alleluia! Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.
1 Corinthians 15:3,4

According to Plan

Daily Devotion – April 12, 2023

Devotion based on 1 Corinthians 15:3,4

See series: Devotions

We love it when things go according to plan. Maybe it’s a road trip that has each stop carefully researched and detailed. And there are no car issues, nothing more than routine traffic, and everything goes according to plan. Or maybe it’s a business merger carefully planned and executed by the right people to minimize conflict and maximize productivity. Or it could be a retirement plan that appreciates with time and regular contributions. It is satisfying when everything goes according to plan.

The reason we love that feeling so much is that it so rarely happens. Life is full of variables that derail plans. Cars break down. Employees become disgruntled. Financial emergencies happen. So much for the plan.

When Jesus Christ died on the cross, it looked like God’s great plan of saving mankind had been derailed. What good was a dead Savior?

But the apostle Paul makes clear that the death of Christ was all part of the plan. The Scriptures, God’s Word, foretold this plan from the beginning. And not only did the Scriptures foretell Jesus’ death and resurrection, but Jesus himself proclaimed that this would happen. Jesus fulfilled everything that the Old Testament prophets predicted that he would do. And Jesus predicted his own death and resurrection and pulled it off.

No wonder Paul says that this is of first importance. Christ died, was buried, rose from the dead, and appeared to many witnesses. All according to the plan to deliver you from your sins!

Prayer: (Christian Worship: Hymnal: – 440)
It was a strange and dreadful strife when life and death contended. The victory remained with life, the reign of death was ended. Holy Scripture plainly saith that death is swallowed up by death; disgraced, it lies defeated. Alleluia, alleluia! Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
Matthew 28:9,10

Don’t Be Afraid

Daily Devotion – April 11, 2023

Devotion based on Matthew 28:9,10

See series: Devotions

It’s hard to imagine everything those women felt on that first Easter morning. Heading to the tomb, perhaps they felt lonely and lost without their leader, Jesus. Disappointed and depressed by what happened three days earlier. But after seeing the angel and the empty tomb, perhaps amazement and confusion replaced those other emotions. One emotion we know they felt, though, was fear.

Frightened by the angel. Overwhelmed by the empty tomb. Startled by Jesus’ sudden appearance. Jesus spoke to the women’s fear immediately after greeting them, “Do not be afraid.”

Jesus didn’t just mean not to be afraid at the sight of him now, but also not to be afraid of what he would do now that he was alive again. Jesus gave the women a mission to be messengers to the disciples. Remarkably, He called the disciples his brothers. He didn’t call them cowardly traitors who had deserted him but brothers. You see, Jesus’ disciples had turned their backs on Jesus during his arrest and crucifixion.

And, just as remarkably, Jesus calls us his brothers and sisters even though we have often turned our backs on him when we have lived the way we want rather than the way he wants. But, you see, the whole reason Jesus went to the cross was for those sins. Because of God’s great grace, Jesus didn’t rise to deliver retribution or revenge. He rose as an assurance of sins forgiven and death defeated.

The living Son of God has made full payment for sin so that he can call us his brothers and sisters. We are rescued from the punishment we deserve. Death is defeated. We do not need to be afraid!

Prayer: (Christian Worship: Hymnal: – 440)
Christ Jesus, God’s own Son, came down, his people to deliver; destroying sin, he took the crown from death’s pale brow forever. Stripped of pow’r, no more it reigns; an empty form alone remains; its sting is lost forever. Alleluia, alleluia! Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”
Matthew 28:5-7

The Fact of the Resurrection

Daily Devotion – April 10, 2023

Devotion based on Matthew 28:5-7

See series: Devotions

Whom do you trust to deliver you the news? It seems each news source has a spin or a bias that colors their reports. Not only that, but anyone with a social media platform and an opinion can deliver those opinions as facts, even if they are just feelings. And the cynic might say that everyone is trying to sell you something, no matter how neutral they claim to be.

Sometimes you feel like Sargent Joe Friday from the old Dragnet radio and TV series and would like to say, “All I want are the facts, ma’am.”

Jesus’ resurrection from the dead has all kinds of amazing, life-changing meaning. But before the women who came to the tomb that morning could process all of what that resurrection meant for them, they first needed the facts. Before the disciples could understand all the implications of Jesus’ resurrection, they first needed to know that it, in fact, happened.

And that’s what the angel at the empty tomb did. He delivered the facts. He told the women, “Yes, Jesus was crucified. He did, in fact, die. But he is not here anymore because he is alive. He told you this would happen. His body is not here. Look for yourself and see what is true.”

Christianity doesn’t rest on the fiction or fantasy of Jesus’ resurrection but on the fact that Jesus bodily rose from the dead. Rejoice in the fact that Jesus is alive.

Prayer: (Christian Worship: Hymnal: – 440)
Christ Jesus lay in death’s strong bands for our offenses given; but now at God’s right hand he stands and brings us life from heaven. Therefore let us joyful be and sing to God right thankfully loud songs of alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia! Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

What I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve.
1 Corinthians 15:3-5

Of First Importance

Daily Devotion – April 9, 2023

Devotion based on 1 Corinthians 15:3-5

See series: Devotions

What is of first importance in your life? Is it your job? Or maybe your family? Is it your bank account because you are trying to save enough money to retire comfortably? Or could it be your smartphone? Is it your favorite sports team? Is it God?

We know God should be of first importance in life, but sadly we don’t always show God that he is of first importance. We often place too much importance on other things in this world.

Thankfully, the Lord did not follow suit. In sending Jesus to live and die in our place, God demonstrated that we are of first importance to him. In raising Jesus from the dead, God showed, once and for all, that our eternal salvation was his top priority. Because Jesus lived, died, and rose again, you and I are forgiven and trusting Jesus as our Savior; we, too, shall rise to live forever in heaven.

In our Bible reading for today, the apostle Paul reminds us that, for the Christian, there is nothing more important than the saving work of Jesus. Easter provides a wonderful opportunity to refocus and thank God for what is most important.

But let’s not just make God the most important thing in our lives on Easter Sunday. Moved and motivated by the love of Jesus, let’s demonstrate just how important our Lord is to us. Let’s give him the best of our time, talents, and treasures. Let his love for us reflect in our lives for the entire world to see!

Prayer:
Dear Lord, forgive me for the times when I short-change you in my life. Thank you for sending Jesus to live, die, and rise for me. Help me to reflect your love in all that I say and do. Fill me with Easter joy, every day! Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.” They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, “Surely you don’t mean me, Lord?” Jesus replied, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.” Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?” Jesus answered, “You have said so.”
Matthew 26:20-25

Betrayal

Daily Devotion – April 8, 2023

Devotion based on Matthew 26:20-25

See series: Devotions

Sometimes the church symbol employed for Judas is an empty frame depicting the thought that he shouldn’t be remembered because of the despicable crime he perpetrated against our Lord Jesus—betraying Christ into the hands of his enemies. Yet, looking at Judas, we ask ourselves: How do we betray Jesus?

Even after he has assured us that our sins are forgiven we keep discovering new ways to get around God’s will, and we keep coming up with excuses for not conforming our lives to the commands of God. What else could we be called but traitors?

Yet, in Jesus, that’s not the way God sees us. Jesus’ death on the cross wipes away our treachery. God keeps assuring us in his Word that “the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). Through Jesus, God draws us to himself and embraces us as his dear children “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1)

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, what a great privilege it is for me to be called your child by faith in Jesus! Lead my life to praise you for your great love, and help me to fulfill your will in thankful obedience for the blessings that come freely and fully from you. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home. Later, knowing that everything had been finished . . . Jesus said, “I am thirsty” . . . When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.”
John 19:25-28,30

A Greater Type of King Who Was the Perfect Sacrifice

Daily Devotion – April 7, 2023

Devotion based on John 19:25-28,30

See series: Devotions

“It is finished.” Quite honestly, I’m about to say that. This is the fifth consecutive devotion I have authored, and in 288 more words I’m going to close out my computer and say, “It is finished!”

Finishing a project is satisfying. It’s one thing to be finished, but it’s another thing for it to be done well or to be done perfectly. I really won’t be finished in 288 words (241 now). I will go back and look over the devotions I’ve written. I’ll find typos, bad grammar, and lack of flow. Then I’ll edit before I submit. All that for a project that just took a few days to complete.

When Jesus said, ‘It is finished!’ it wasn’t just an exhaustive, “Whew, I’m glad I’m done with that!” It was an emphatic, “It’s done. Everything that needed to be done has been done, and it’s perfect. No edits. No adjustments. It’s perfect!”

Jesus didn’t just die to take away our sins. He also lived to give us his perfection. For thirty-three years, Jesus faced endless temptations. And for thirty-three years, he was perfect, right to the very end. One of the last things Jesus did before bowing his head and dying was taking care of his mother. He kept the fourth commandment perfectly. He told Mary, “Woman, here is your son,” and his disciple, “Here is your mother.” Jesus was perfect. Which means he didn’t have to die. Yet, he did anyway. Why? So he could be our perfect substitute.

This devotion is intended to be read on the day we observe Jesus’ death. As we ponder Jesus’ perfect sacrifice, cherish that it’s not just a “good” Friday, but it was a “perfect” Friday.

Prayer:
Thank you, Jesus, for being the perfect sacrifice. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
1 Corinthians 11:23-25

A Greater Type of King Who Invites Us to His Table

Daily Devotion – April 6, 2023

Devotion based on 1 Corinthians 11:23-25

See series: Devotions

Do you remember the day you became a grown-up? I’m not talking about the day you earned your first dollar. And I’m not referring to the day you received a diploma. I’m talking about the day you graduated from the “kid’s table” at the family Thanksgiving dinner. Wasn’t it a great feeling to be sitting with all the adults? It felt like you had really “made it.”

As special as being invited to sit at the adult table may have made you feel, it’s nothing compared to the invitation Jesus gave his disciples when he invited them to partake in the special meal we call “The Lord’s Supper.” And it didn’t stop with the twelve disciples. Throughout the centuries, it’s as if Jesus just kept adding leaves to his table, making room for more so that even a few decades after Jesus dined with his disciples, the apostle Paul relayed the same invitation to God’s people living in the city of Corinth. And still today, Jesus invites his followers to share in the special meal he instituted so long ago. At this meal, we are reminded that Jesus sacrificed himself—gave his body and blood—to save us from our sins. Thank you, Jesus, for inviting us to this special meal that reminds us of your great love for us!

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, help me to see what a privilege I have to be at your table. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
Matthew 21:9

A Greater Type of King Who Saves Us

Daily Devotion – April 5, 2023

Devotion based on Matthew 21:9

See series: Devotions

Did the crowd understand the significance of their own words? We’re not sure. Did the crowd understand the true nature of Jesus’ kingdom? We’re not sure. But as we stand on the Palm Sunday road two millennia later, it really doesn’t matter if they understood what they shouted. The question is, do we?

I grew up in a church where twice a month we sang, “Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest! Blessed is he, blessed is he, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” Even though I may not have fully understood what I was singing as a little boy, the words I sang were giving testimony that Jesus is the Savior. Hosanna literally means, “Lord, save us.” This is why Jesus came to earth and why he marched into Jerusalem on a day we call Palm Sunday. He came to seek and to save what was lost. He came to seek and save you.

When the crowd shouted those words that day, it was a plea, “Lord, save us.” From our perspective, it’s a word of praise, knowing that Jesus answered the plea. He didn’t just march into Jerusalem as king. Five days after Jesus rode into Jerusalem, he marched to a cross where he did save us from our sins. And on the following Sunday, on Easter morning, he marched out of the grave to prove that he had saved us from death. And that’s what makes him a greater type of king: He’s a King who saves us.

Prayer:
Dear Savior King, as I find myself in the middle of holy week, help me to pause and consider why you did what you did; you came into this world to save me. For that I give you thanks and praise. Hosanna! Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
Matthew 21:10,11

A Greater Type of King Who Approaches Us

Daily Devotion – April 4, 2023

Devotion based on Matthew 21:10,11

See series: Devotions

I live in a city that doesn’t claim many lifelong residents. A majority of our citizens are from somewhere else. Thus, a common question is, “Where are you from?” The answer will then trigger a variety of reactions. For right or for wrong, it’s not uncommon to brand the person depending on where they’re from.

When the crowd in Jerusalem on Palm Sunday said that the man riding on the donkey was, “Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee” it may have surprised people. Nazareth had a reputation of being nothing more than a blip on the map. Even today, Nazareth does not offer many “places to see” if you book a tour to Israel. But being from a nothing-good-can-come-from-there-town sheds a little light on just who our King was and is. He wasn’t a royal who only knew palace life or grew up with a family crest sewn into his suitcoat. Even though he knows heaven with its streets of gold, he also knows poverty. Even though he knows the safety of heaven where the gates never close, he also knows danger. He knows the glory of being King but also knows your story personally.

And that’s just a little bit of what makes Jesus a greater type of king. He is relatable. He is approachable. More than being approachable, he also approaches you. Which is exactly what the prophet wanted us to see in Jesus, “See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey.” Find comfort in that greater type of king that you have. You don’t have a king who is holed up in some castle. You have a King who comes to you no matter where or who you are.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for erasing the barriers that stand between you and me. Because you took away my sin, give me confidence to approach you daily, knowing that you understand what I’m going through, even better than I know myself. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.