κήρυξον τὸν λόγον

Then [Jesus] revealed [himself] in this way (v 1). [Introduction] Hallelujah! He is risen! ... We’re almost 40 days into the season of Easter, and it’s getting harder to hear and to see and to remember how our Lord reveals himself, that he is in our midst, and continues to call us by the Gospel, delivering to us the gifts he has prepared (v 9). This morning’s text is a good example. Whether this resurrection appearance was before or after Jesus gave us the so-called Great Commission to make disciples of all nations by baptizing and teaching all that he commanded (Mt 28:16-20) is certainly open for Bible study. But since Easter, Saint John tells us that our Risen Lord has appeared to the disciples many times (20:30). We’ve heard our Lord calling us by name since the dawn of Easter (20:16). We’ve heard him opening our minds to the truth that all scripture is about him all the time (5:39; Lk 24:27). We’ve seen him opening our eyes to recognize that he is actually with us in the breaking o...

[Prayer] Lord Jesus Christ, you laid down your life for us so that you could take it up again, thus securing for us the forgiven our sins, life, and salvation. As you bestow these gifts on us in Baptism and the Supper, grant that we may always cling to you in the faith, trusting in your promises, and finally be brought into your heavenly kingdom in your name. Amen. [Introduction] Our Gospel reading today from John 10 began at verse 11, but I’m going to begin one sentence earlier, the second half of verse 10. There, Jesus says, I myself came in order that they may have life and have it abundantly . That verse is the heart of what is often called the Good Shepherd discourse. In the midst of his proverbs (10:6) on gates and gatekeepers ... thieves, robbers, and wolves ... shepherds and sheep ... strangers and salvation ... listening and seeing ... the Good Shepherd, our Lord Jesus, gives us one of his greatest promises:  HE CAME TO GIVE YOU ABUNDANT LIFE! And now ... Hallelujah! He is...

Therefore, prophesy and say to them: Thus says the Adoni YHWH, Behold, I will open your graves, and raise you from your graves, My people. And I will bring you into the land of Israel. And you will know that I am YHWH, when I open your graves, and raise you from your graves, My people. And I will put my Spirit within you, and you will live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you will know that I am YHWH. I have spoken, and I will do it, declares YHWH (vv 11-14). [Introduction] Our world thinks it’s demeaning to need a helper. That’s why little children don’t like their parents doting on them. They don’t want help picking out their own clothes and tying their own shoes ... or pouring milk on their cereal, even if a gallon weighs one-fifth of their body weight.  Our world thinks it’s demeaning to need a helper. That’s why it’s so difficult to sit in a nursing home and allow someone to serve you, wait on you, care for you. It goes against your entire life of being a parent,...

These are written in order that you may trust that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that in trusting you may have life in his name (v 31). [Prayer] Almighty God, you have called your church to witness that in Christ you have reconciled us to yourself. Grant that by your Holy Spirit we may proclaim the good news of your salvation so that all who hear it may receive the gift of your salvation. In Jesus’ name. Amen. [Introduction] Hallelujah! He is Risen! ... Today we are observing the Octave of Easter. Theologically, the octave designates the eighth day. All of the major feasts of the church year are celebrated over the course of eight days. ... One Sunday isn’t enough. We need eight days. ... So the week following Sunday is part of the celebration, and it spills over into the next Sunday, the eighth day ... the octave of our Lord.  Our Gospel lesson today is a perfect fit for our celebration.  We began a new octave on Easter Sunday by hearing an angel proclaim the Good...