Month: January 2020

Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.
Matthew 4:23

Miraculous Change

Daily Devotion – January 31, 2020

Devotion based on Matthew 4:23

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Isn’t it interesting how Matthew writes about Jesus’ miracles? These works that bend the laws of nature are stated so matter-of-factly that they run the risk of going unnoticed altogether. More importantly, notice who’s benefitting from Jesus’ divine, miraculous work. When Jesus flexes a little almighty muscle, it’s not to pump up his Instagram likes or to boost the views on his webpage. It’s not to benefit him, but those who trust in him.

When you look at action words in this verse, you see that all of Jesus’ work here was born of his outward-focused, servant heart. Going…teaching…proclaiming…healing. It was all to draw people closer to God. Truly “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).

And today, Jesus still serves, sending his Holy Spirit to work in the hearts of his people through the words of the Bible and the Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. And wonderful changes take place. First, they see him as the Savior who indeed gave his life as a ransom for them. And then they serve, with grateful hearts. No, it’s not a perfect service—no sinner could offer that! But by the Holy Spirit’s power, naturally self-centered people now look outward. People who are naturally inclined to serve self, now also seek to serve God and neighbor. People who by themselves are spiritually powerless, are empowered to be God’s instruments bringing help for people’s lives and hope for people’s souls. That is a miraculous change of heart and purpose. May God ever equip his people for such a changed life!

Prayer:
Gracious God, continue to miraculously change my heart and train me to serve, rejoicing in sins forgiven and following the example of my Savior Jesus. 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.

Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
Matthew 4:21,22

Miraculous Response

Daily Devotion – January 30, 2020

Devotion based on Matthew 4:21,22

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What kind of opportunity would it take to make you switch careers? A bigger salary? An office with a window and the respect that comes with it? A more solid retirement package? It would probably have to be an invitation so powerful that it knocked you off your feet—especially if you like your current job.

Did you notice what kind of offer caused James and John to drop their nets and hop out of their respective boats? Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat. Can this response be anything less than a miracle, the supernatural working of the Holy Spirit himself through Jesus’ powerful Word? The men were losing money in this career change. They were risking the good graces of their father. They were leaving behind business and family and stability. What kind of a person does that? The person to whom Jesus says, “follow me.” These men would continue to be followers of Jesus even if it cost them their lives. His call is powerful, eliciting a miraculous response.

Here we are, 2,000 years later, half a world away from the Sea of Galilee and yet Jesus calls people to follow him today in the same way that he called people to follow him then, with simple, powerful words.

And the fact that we follow, that we respond in faith, is nothing short of a modern-day miracle of the Holy Spirit. For how else could we describe the spiritually dead coming to life?

Consider how God’s powerful Word brings people to faith and moves them to obediently follow. Consider how it lifts the spirits of those who are sick, trains the hearts of the young, comforts the hearts of the old—and you will understand the miracle of discipleship, a miracle that our Jesus still performs today.

Prayer:
Jesus, you call me to follow you with your powerful Word. Send your Holy Spirit to instill a faith in me that allows me to do so. 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.

As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.
Matthew 4:18-20

Miraculous Call

Daily Devotion – January 29, 2020

Devotion based on Matthew 4:18-20

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Peter and Andrew were doing what fishermen do–casting their nets–totally oblivious that their lives were about to be changed forever. It’s not like they came barreling up to Jesus. Rather, he saw them, choose them, invited them.

There’s a difference. Think about it this way. It’s one thing to go to a baseball game. But it’s another to be invited by the team’s all-star right fielder to be his special guest in his club suite at the stadium. The first you might not even mention to your friends. But the second would be all over Facebook, texts, email, or whatever means you use to tell people really important stuff that’s happening to you. Going to see a celebrity is one thing. But having the celebrity come to you, seek you out, and invite you to be his guest. That’s pretty incredible. That’s exactly what’s happened in our text. It’s exactly what’s happening to us. Jesus himself said, “You did not choose me, but I chose you” (John 15:16).

If that had been you on the seashore, would you have possibly thought: “Why me? There are certainly people who seem more fit to be Jesus’ friends and followers. How could he choose me…someone who’s messed up so badly, so consistently, so frequently over the years and decades?”

The answer, of course, is grace. Jesus says, “Follow me” because of grace, undeserved love, and mercy alone. We deserve to hear him say, “Go to hell, the eternal punishment you’ve earned.” But instead, he says, “Come to heaven, the eternal home I earned for you and am giving to you.” We deserve to have him say, “Get away from me.” But instead, he says, “Come follow me.” That is a miracle and we are its stunned and grateful beneficiaries.

Prayer:
Jesus, thank you for the miraculous grace you’ve shown us in calling me to be your disciple. Help me follow you with humble appreciation and heartfelt zeal. 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.

“Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
Matthew 4:15-17

Miraculous Comeback

Daily Devotion – January 28, 2020

Devotion based on Matthew 4:15-17

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Greatest Comeback Ever. Avid sports fans might remember the 1993 NFL Playoffs where the Buffalo Bills overcome a 35-3 third quarter deficit to defeat the Houston Oilers by a field goal in overtime. There have been plenty of comebacks in NFL history, but this is the one that Wikipedia refers to as “The Comeback.”

One might say that the Old Testament tribal lands of Zebulun and Naphtali were in need of a comeback. These two lands were ransacked and their inhabitants deported by foreign invaders.

But God orchestrates the greatest comebacks. In the book of Isaiah, chapter 9, Zebulun and Naphtali are singled out for future honor by God. And in our Bible reading today, we see the comeback perfectly executed, the promise perfectly kept. The land of Zebulun and Naphtali became known as Galilee in the New Testament, and that was the very place where Jesus began his preaching. Could there be a greater honor than getting to hear sermons preached by the mouth of God himself? Could there be a greater comeback than going from the shadow of spiritual death to the light of the kingdom of heaven?

Could you, too, be a witness of such a comeback? Not only a witness but also a beneficiary and a participant by grace, through faith! For the One who was dead, Jesus, is now alive. And the ones held captive by their fear of death, now have been set free. The ones once bound for hell, are now heirs of eternal life. Believe it and rejoice in the…Greatest Comeback Ever!

Prayer:
Gracious Savior, how great and how merciful you are, in calling miserable sinners from darkness to light. Lead me to repent and to look to you in faith, that I may live with you eternally. 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 heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee.
Matthew 4:12

Miraculous Courage

Daily Devotion – January 27, 2020

Devotion based on Matthew 4:12

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Drama draws us in. Tension gets our attention. In an iPad, Netflix, Hulu world, we want life and death, happiness and sadness, an unexpected turn of events, an action hero.

Of course, when you read the Bible, you see all of that. Jesus is special forces tough and superhero strong. Jesus walks on water. Jesus tells the sky to stop raining and the wind to stop blowing…and they listen. Jesus commands fish to jump in a fisherman’s net and they listen. The Gospels are a highlight reel of Jesus’ power—the Almighty Savior from heaven turning the laws of nature inside out. But he doesn’t do that in our Bible reading for today.

Consider the simple words: When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee. Is there anything miraculous about that?

Usually, we associate a “withdrawal” with a quiet retreat, a concession of defeat. And that would be what we would expect here. If you are Jesus and a friend of your cause garners the negative attention of the authorities and is imprisoned, maybe you try to lay low for a while, withdraw to a less conspicuous place to avoid the heat. But Jesus had just been in the less conspicuous place—away from civilization, tempted in the wilderness by the devil. Withdrawing to Galilee, in reality, meant going to where the people were and where the heat was on, with Jesus now publicly taking up the cause of preaching the gospel in John’s absence. When Jesus withdrew to Galilee, he wasn’t slinking away from the heat, he was rushing to the frying pan.

That is Jesus. Where we might resort to self-preservation and self-protection, Jesus miraculously, courageously embraces the work of God’s kingdom. That’s the kind of Savior we have. Giving no thought to his own well-being, he rushes to where his people need him.

Prayer:
Jesus, I praise you for your miraculous courage. Your people still need you today. Graciously, powerfully rush to our aid. 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 next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.” Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” said Philip.
John 1:43-46

Whom Are You Following

Daily Devotion – January 26, 2020

Devotion based on John 1:43-46

See series: Devotions

Do you remember playing “Follow the Leader” when you were in elementary school? The challenge was to do everything the leader did. Later in life, the fun and innocence of this elementary school game give way to a critical life question, “Whom am I following?”

All around us we hear the calls of our culture summoning us to “Follow me!” The call of wealth, the appeal of power and prominence, the desire for acceptance and relationships. What good can come from these enticing leaders? Is a blessing to be found as we follow them? Our finances disappear. Our position is eliminated. Our friends abandon us. When the façade of these “leaders” is shown for what it is, we are left without direction, hope, or a leader.

This is when the gentle sound of Jesus’ voice comes to us with the sweet invitation, “Follow me.” At first, our response might be like Nathanael, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” Can anything good come from following Jesus? Why Jesus? Why fall in step with him? How is he any different?

Come and see. See him take your eyes off the treasures of this world that come and go to the treasures of heaven that have eternal value. See him show that power and prominence come not from being served, but from serving others. See him point out that the relationship that matters most is with him. See him give eternal hope to the lonely.

As the leaders in your life fail or abandon you, hear the gracious invitation of Jesus to “Follow me.” In him, we have the only leader who can lead us safely from this life to eternal life in heaven.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus forgive me for the many times I allow the distractions and facades of this world to be my leader. By your grace let me hear your call to follow you and gladly fall in step behind 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.

I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way.
1 Corinthians 1:4,5

Priceless

Daily Devotion – January 25, 2020

Devotion based on 1 Corinthians 1:4,5

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A few years ago, a series of commercials from Master Card has featured the word “priceless.” The commercials described some extravagant purchases the owner of the credit card made: a dinner at a five-star restaurant, a limousine ride, a diamond ring, celebrating his wife’s birthday—priceless!

As I watched those commercials, I thought, “Sure…but how are you going to pay off the credit card bill?” That comes with a price. Suddenly priceless gets pricey.

If God’s blessing came with a price tag on it, who could afford it? The price to obtain God’s favor would cost you your life. Unless you have kept every command of God perfectly, you cannot expect even an ounce of his favor.

The testimony of God’s Word says, “The ransom for a life is costly, no payment is ever enough—that he should live on forever and not see decay” (Psalm 49:8-9).

With a great sense of relief, we know that God’s grace is free. He demands nothing from us. He gives us everything. He leaves us under no obligations because Jesus has so perfectly met them all.

The apostle Paul thanked God for his priceless grace given to the Corinthians in Christ Jesus. If you read Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, you will discover how undeserving this group was of God’s favor. If you read your life accurately, you will come to the same conclusion.

Jesus Christ secured God’s grace for us. His priceless, perfect life established the standard of conduct God accepted for all sinners. His priceless bloodshed on the cross established that no curse for sin remains for any sinner anywhere.

When you know this and believe it, then you are enriched in every way. Embrace God’s priceless grace in Christ Jesus and enjoy being enriched in every way.

Prayer:
Dear Savior God, impress on my heart the inestimable value of your priceless grace. Enrich me in every way as I contemplate your gift to me in Jesus Christ. 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 first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus.
John 1:41,42

He Brought Him to Jesus

Daily Devotion – January 24, 2020

Devotion based on John 1:41,42

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Throughout the season that the Church calls Epiphany, Christians learn about the far-reaching mission that Jesus came to accomplish. He came not for some people, but for all. He came not to begin the work of saving us, but to complete it.

Jesus accomplished his mission. He demolished the devil’s work. He destroyed death’s power over us. He broke the chains of sin and guilt that held us in their prison. When Jesus cried out, “It is finished,” when he was dying on the cross, his mission was complete. Our sins were forgiven. Eternal life was ours. End of story. The last seconds have ticked off the clock, and the victory is final.

All that remains to be done is to spread the news. That is where we come in. We, who have seen the Savior of the world, get to go out and tell others.

That is what Andrew did. When he met Jesus, whom the prophet John called “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world,” the Holy Spirit put faith in his heart to believe what he heard and saw.

Andrew knew he couldn’t keep it to himself. The Bible tells us, “The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, ‘We have found the Messiah.’ And he brought him to Jesus.”

He didn’t need to give a long, detailed testimony. He simply said, “Come and see the Savior.” He didn’t need to travel to faraway lands. He went and found his brother.

You and I can tell others, just like Andrew did. Whom do you know, who doesn’t know that Jesus saved them? A friend, a family member, a neighbor? Just tell them about the one you met, the one who sealed the victory for you and for them. Invite them to read a devotion you read or go to church with you to meet Jesus.

And when you do, God will be using you to carry out his mission to bring salvation to the ends of the earth.

Prayer:
Jesus, I’m so thankful that I met you. Use me to bring others to meet you too. 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 next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
John 1:29

Jesus Came to Save Sinners

Daily Devotion – January 23, 2020

Devotion based on John 1:29

See series: Devotions

Don’t you hate the devil’s lies? First, he convinces us that sin is the best way to go. He convinces us that pride is better than humility before God. He convinces us that the solution to our worries is food or drugs or alcohol or exercise or sex. He convinces us that the sins we do in secret are no big deal because they don’t hurt anyone.

Then, after we believe his lies, he plays the guilt card. He says, “How could you? God says you should be humble. God says you should bring your worries to him. And God sees the shameful things you do and think in secret. How could you? There’s no way God can forgive you!”

God sent a prophet named John to point out people’s sins. But John didn’t leave his listeners in hopeless shame. Instead, he pointed to Jesus and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”

Jesus, the Lamb of God, is the world’s Savior, who takes away the sin of the world. Not just our individual sins and offenses but sin itself. He takes away our sinful condition and the guilt and shame that always come with it. He even takes away the death and damnation that we deserve for our sins. Jesus takes it all away. Jesus says to us, “You are no longer a sinner. I am. The sins that you once carried now rest on me.” Jesus, the Lamb of God, bore your guilt, suffered your shame, died your death, and faced the hell you deserve.

So, when the devil says God can’t forgive you, look at the Lamb of God. The Lamb takes away the sin of the world. If you breathe the world’s air, eat the world’s food, sleep and wake up in the world, then you are part of the world. And if you are part of the world, then Jesus took away your sins, no matter who you are or what you’ve done.

May that truth calm your conscience and move you to serve God daily in peace and joy.

Prayer:
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world. Have mercy on me. 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 next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
John 1:29

The Perfect Sacrifice

Daily Devotion – January 22, 2020

Devotion based on John 1:29

See series: Devotions

Sacrifices were a part of everyday life for the Jewish people in Bible times. God’s law required the sacrifice of hundreds of lambs, bulls, goats, and birds every year. If you came to the temple at any time, your senses would be overwhelmed by the sights, sounds, and smells of the sacrifices.

How easy it must have been for them to imagine they were doing God a service by bringing him sacrifices. After all, that is what every man-made religion teaches. If you do enough and make enough sacrifices, you will gain favor and avoid the fury of the gods.

But God required those Jewish sacrifices to teach a different point. Yes, payment is required for sin. The Bible says, “Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” But what we do—the sacrifices we make—are never enough. That’s why those sacrifices needed to be repeated over and over again. A better sacrifice, a perfect sacrifice, was needed.

And God himself provided it. That’s right. Instead of punishing us for our arrogant attempts to earn his favor, God the Father offered a sacrifice of his own—the Lamb of God. Jesus was that perfect Lamb of God. Jesus was absolutely without blemish—perfectly sinless, spotless, stain-free. When he died in our place, God accepted his sacrifice as payment for all of our sins! No more payment is required.

Imagine that! God, angry at the disobedience of the people and receiving no valid sacrifice from them, offers his own sacrifice for them—for us! And the sacrifice he offers is none other than his own Son, Jesus, the Lamb of God! What amazing love!

Prayer:
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world. Have mercy on me. 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.