Month: April 2013

Text: John 16:12-22
Date: Easter V + 4/28/13

Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! The whole world is blessed because He came to us in our own flesh so that we might be “sanctified through the offering of [His body] once for all.” “When Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God” (Heb 10:10, 12). “And he who was seated on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new’” (Rev 21:5). But in a world and a life seemingly filled with nothing but the “same old, same old,” when will God make all things new? And what things? Continue reading “All Things New (already now and forever!)”

Text: John 10:22-30
Date: Easter IV + 4/21/13

Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord. At least that’s the shout of the faith of those who truly hear His voice, who are known by Him, and who follow Him. The others are all those who do not follow Him, who, though they are known by Him, do not truly hear His voice. Today, I’m told, in our country that’s about 4 out of 5 people! These do not shout in praise, “Blessed is the King who comes,” but grumble in protest, “How long are you going to keep us in suspense? Tell us plainly if you are the Christ.” But the demands of unbelief will never be satisfied, because their purpose is only to discredit, to despise and reject, to expose what they consider to be a fraud. Continue reading “The Lamb is the Shepherd?”

Text: John 21:1-14
Date: Easter III + 4/14/13

As we noted last Sunday John 20:30-31 was clearly meant to be the conclusion of this apostle’s gospel. The addition of another resurrection appearance by Jesus in chapter 21, therefore, makes us ask why he was originally planning on leaving this out. And, if he originally planned on leaving out this resurrection appearance, it makes us wonder further if there were even more resurrection appearances of which we’ve never been told. Think of St. Paul’s mention of the risen Jesus appearing “to more than five hundred brothers at one time” (1 Cor 15:6). What are we to make of this additional resurrection appearance by the sea of Tiberius, that is, of Galilee? Continue reading “Surprising Places ("It is the Lord!")”

Text: John 21:1-14
Date: Easter III + 4/14/13

As we noted last Sunday John 20:30-31 was clearly meant to be the conclusion of this apostle’s gospel. The addition of another resurrection appearance by Jesus in chapter 21, therefore, makes us ask why he was originally planning on leaving this out. And, if he originally planned on leaving out this resurrection appearance, it makes us wonder further if there were even more resurrection appearances of which we’ve never been told. Think of St. Paul’s mention of the risen Jesus appearing “to more than five hundred brothers at one time” (1 Cor 15:6). What are we to make of this additional resurrection appearance by the sea of Tiberius, that is, of Galilee? Continue reading “Surprising Places ("It is the Lord!")”

Text: John 20:30-31
Date: Easter II + 4/7/13

Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord, for He comes to us today mysteriously, but nevertheless really, presently, though invisibly, body and soul. As doubting Thomas finally didn’t need to touch the risen Jesus to confess Him as his Lord and God, nevertheless our Lord and God, the blessed King comes to touch us; to touch our hearts with faith, our tongues with His body and blood, our minds with understanding of the scriptures. Continue reading “That You May Believe”