The 2015 synod convention launched a special synod-wide offering to eliminate $4.7 million in synod debt two years ahead of schedule. If successful by God’s grace, the “One in Christ” campaign will put our synod in a better financial position to continue the ministry of training and sending gospel proclaimers to the world. Thus, together we will do more than simply pay our debt to previous ministry endeavors; we will actually move ministry forward. To that end, we worship and praise our God today for all that he has done for us—most of all, what he does for us in the Sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion. In this endeavor, as a Synod we pray: God help us!
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Our love for Christ is the challenge of our stewardship focus in the coming weeks. It is based upon the words of the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 8:8: “I want to test the sincerity of your love.” Well, today It’s Test Time, and today we hear Who is being tested: it’s a test For We Who Believe.
Another miraculous catch of fish brings the disciples scrambling to worship at the feet of their Savior. He appeared in power, to assure them of his presence and providence for what lay ahead. The risen Lord still comes with power through Word and sacrament, assuring us of his forgiveness, promising his Spirit for lives of faithful service, and guaranteeing our resurrection to eternal life.
CHRIST IS RISEN! HE IS RSEN INDEED! ALLELUIA! Sinners should fear God. Sinners ought to die for their wickedness. The grave should be the place of ultimate defeat for mankind. Yet on this day, the Second Adam did all that the first had left undone. Bearing our guilt and suffering our verdict, the Son of Man died, but three days later he rose in glory. As a result, fear is gone, mankind is redeemed, and Christ calls us his own brothers. Jesus came from death to life, and through baptism he brings us with him.
How beautiful is our journey to the cross and tomb. We have seen our Savior’s battle waged against temptation. We have found confidence in his resolution to carry out the Father’s plan of salvation. We have turned to the Lord at his invitation to draw near with repentant hearts. And we have rejoiced in his loving and forgiving embrace. In these final hours before Holy Week, even as we rejoice in the great things God has done for his people throughout history, let us put the ways of the past behind us and continue to strive for that for which Christ has laid hold of us.
Our human inclination is to listen without faith. This can only lead us to the brow of a cliff and throwing Jesus out of our lives. But the Savior of the Nations comes with his gracious words of redemption and membership in his body. The Word of the Lord is proclaimed through the revelation of his Anointed One. In him faith is rooted, love flourishes, and salvation is known from generation to generation. In today’s Gospel and sermon, we see that the gracious words of the Anointed One win admiration but not hearts of faith. When confronted by their own unbelief and the inclusion of Gentiles in spiritual Israel, “Joseph’s son” is driven from the synagogue to be thrown from the cliff. Yet the Savior of the nations passes through the angry mob to continue his mission and reveal himself in Capernaum.
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