4-21-2019

Good Morning All,

   Luke 24: 5-6; “And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee,"

    I get asked the question often; where do I find Jesus?  This particular questioner went on he had read books by great thinkers or philosophers.  He had listened to all the self-help gurus; watched all the talk shows and listening to the talking heads as they ponder and pontificate the musings of the day.  Yet at the end of the day, this questioner had nothing.  He had neither comfort nor peace.  He was empty; void of any type of true substance.  Each day was a “nothing” type of day completely void of any type of contentment or fullness.

    Where do I find Jesus?  Where do I find meaning to life; where do I find the comfort at the end of the day that lets me sleep; where do I find peace; tell me where?  The very simple truth is that we find Jesus exactly where he told us he would be.  He is in his Word and in his sacraments for you.  He is not in the tomb; he is not to be found among the dead.  He is not found in the tired and worn out musings of man because God used a plan that man simply cannot understand.  God’s plan was built upon the purest form of love to exist anywhere.  God’s plan was to offer a part of himself as the perfect sacrifice to pay for the sins of all men.  Your sins are paid for; the debt which you could never pay by your own righteous deeds is paid for by Jesus.  He tells us that over and over in his Scriptures; “I come to die that you might live.”  Yet Jesus’ death was only part of the good news that day.  While Jesus’ death declares us holy before God; his resurrection opens the door of the grave so that we may have eternal life with Jesus in the new creation which was begun at Jesus’ birth.

    Remember what he told you; you are a redeemed, baptized child of God.  Because of Jesus resurrection he is victorious over death.  Death is no longer the undisputed champion; Jesus is and he has given that victory to you.  Now you possess the victory over death.  Now death to a believer is simply a sleep or a nap.  It is not the end; it is not the defining moment.  It is but a passage we experience.  But because Jesus lives; we live also.

    Remember what he told you; This victory will never be taken from you; you may possess it forever.  Your name was added to the eternal roll of heaven’s Book of Life at your Baptism.  This is a promise that God makes to you every minute of every day.  You belong to Jesus.

    Remember what he told you; he will never leave you alone.  The devil may scowl, tempt, scare and try to intimidate you but the victory is yours.  Salvation is yours; life eternal is yours.  Jesus lives and so do you!!  Alleluia!

Glorious Jesus!  The victory you have won you have now given to us that we might know the perfect love that only you can offer.  Lift up our hearts in joyous celebration.  Lift up our eyes to focus on you and you alone.  Take us to be with you; come Lord Jesus, come.  In your precious name we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret