Month: March 2026

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See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
Zechariah 9:9

Your King Comes to You!

I once saw a king. I was at the hospital visiting my grandfather when suddenly a massive gold helicopter landed on the hospital’s helipad. I found out later that the King of Jordan had arrived for his cancer treatments.

But I didn’t meet the king. I only saw him from a distance, surrounded by many intimidating-looking bodyguards. If I had tried to approach, access would have been denied.

How different our King is! “See, your king comes to you,” says the prophet. Jesus would have just cause in keeping his distance from sinful humanity. There was nothing we could offer him that he already did not possess. The world is his already. He created and rules it. In fact, all that we could bring is what he does not desire—disobedience, selfishness, lovelessness—all the many ways that we fall short of what our King would rightly desire and deserve.

And yet look at our King! Jesus did not surround himself with a dozen bodyguards to protect him from the masses. Jesus didn’t keep sinful, fallen humanity at a distance. He came right into the midst of us. He put his hands on the sick and the broken. He put eyes on the sinners and outcasts. He offered his heart to all who were crushed by their guilt.

And then he did something about it. He came with his righteousness. It’s who he is and what he does. Everything is “right” about him. And he came bearing gifts—bringing salvation. The righteousness that you and I lack and could never obtain, he freely gives to us through faith in him.

And he still comes to us. Through the Word of God, Jesus still speaks, still loves, still guides us. He continues to come to us—drawing us ever closer to him in faith.

This is the greatness of our King—he desires to seek out sinners. And more than that, he came to save us. Praise God for the King who came in love.

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, thank you for setting aside your glory to save me. Keep me close to you through your powerful Word. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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.

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The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
Matthew 21:9

Shout Out to Your King!

When do you shout? It might be when you are frustrated—like when the neighbor’s dog is digging in your yard—again! It might be when you prefer to shout, “Time to eat!” rather than actually tracking down every hungry person. It might be when your favorite player just won a victory for your favorite team.

When Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, there was shouting. These were not shouts of anger, but ones of praise. “Hosanna” and “Blessed is he” were the spontaneous choruses that erupted from those who saw Jesus riding into Jerusalem that day.

When is the last time you shouted out to Jesus? Was it your weekly worship? Your daily prayers? Or have you been less than excited even when you do worship and pray? Or has it been a very long time since you have felt the need to say much to Jesus at all?

Perhaps you feel there are good reasons for that. It’s hard to be excited about praising Jesus when things in life are not feeling so praise-worthy. You may feel a whole lot more like shouting in frustration at God than bringing praise to God.

But remember this: Jesus shouts for you. When your conscience crushes you with the weight of your sin, Jesus shouts out, “My blood has atoned for each and every sin!” When the devil leads you to the brink of despair, Jesus assures: “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you!

In a few days, the shouts of Palm Sunday would be replaced by the more sinister cry of “Crucify him!” But that was the price your loving Savior was willing to pay. That is worthy of our thanks, our praise, and even a shout of “Thank you, Jesus!”

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, you are truly worthy of all praise. Please accept my praise and comfort me when I struggle to find joy to shout about. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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.

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This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: “Say to Daughter Zion ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’” The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
Matthew 21:4-9

The Heavenly King Took Our Place

It is a sad reality that you and I sin against our God every day. Because we sin, we don’t deserve to be in heaven in the presence of God for all eternity. And the alternative is not pretty. But God loves us, his creation, and took action to change what we deserved because of our disobedience.

God, the ruler of all things, sent his Son, Jesus, into the world to be among us for a purpose. Instead of being an earthly king, Jesus lived a humble life and kept all of God’s laws for us. Then, even though innocent, he suffered and died for us. After three days, Jesus rose from the grave to show his power over death and the devil for us. Now you and I, by faith, can look forward to spending eternity in heaven because of our perfect substitute, Jesus.

Because of what our King Jesus has done for us, we can shout with the crowd on the first Palm Sunday, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” In our excitement, we exclaim, “Blessed is he who came in the name of the Lord!”

Prayer:

Jesus, may your Spirit work in me the joyfulness to praise you for being my substitute and assuring me of heaven with you forever. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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.

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For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Romans 8:15-17

Living by the Spirit

There is probably nothing more important to a child’s well-being than having loving and caring parents. When children feel safe, cared for, and nurtured, they tend to be more obedient, perform better in school, and learn how to build relationships with others. However, when children live in constant fear of a parent, just the opposite often happens. They suffer in school, have low self-esteem, and find it difficult to trust others.

God gave us life by his Spirit when he led us to trust in his Son, Jesus. This gift of his Spirit changed our relationship with our heavenly Father. The apostle Paul says it this way: “For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you have received the spirit of sonship.” Without God’s Spirit in our hearts, we would fear God and have nothing to look forward to except his judgment on our sin. But the Spirit leads us to see Jesus—the one who became our sin, so that we could be God’s forgiven children. Right now, we can be confident that God loves and cares for us as we await the glorious inheritance, he has waiting for us.

This wonderful truth not only changes our future, but it changes our present. Instead of living as slaves to our sinful nature with nothing but death as our future, we can live as God’s grateful children, making the most of every opportunity to thank our Father.

Prayer:

Dear heavenly Father, help me to always remember that through Jesus, I am your dear child and you are my dear Father. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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.

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When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.
John 11:43-44

By the Power of His Word

Does your word carry weight? Sure, there are times when I tell people to do things, and they do them. I can tell my kids to clean their rooms or do the dishes, and they will. I can tell my dog to get off the couch, and she will… sometimes. And yet, sometimes, it does not happen. The kids don’t always do their chores. And my dog defies what I have to say more often than not.

But when Jesus spoke, his word packed a punch. When Jesus spoke, amazing things happened. Once, when he and his friends were stuck in a furious storm, he simply told the storm to stop, and it did. There was another time when Jesus cast out some demons who were torturing a young man simply by the power of his word. And in our Bible reading today, we see that by the power of his word, Jesus raised a dead man to life. He simply told him, “Lazarus, come out!”

Why do Jesus’ words carry so much power and authority? It’s because he is the Son of God. He’s not just the head of a household. He’s sitting on a throne ruling heaven and earth. And what he says, goes.

That’s why I want to tell you about something else Jesus said. One of the last things he said, when he was dying, was “paid in full.” That’s what Jesus said about the sins of humanity—about your sins and mine. By his death on the cross he paid for them in full. He paid for them with his life.

Because our sins have been wiped out, you and I are sinless before holy God. And he sees us as his children whom he loves dearly, children whom he will welcome to our home with him in heaven some day. All by the power of Jesus’ word.

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, thank you for saving me through your death on the cross. May I daily draw comfort from the power of your holy Word. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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.

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Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. “Take away the stone,” he said. . . So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.” When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.
John 11:38-39,41-43

It’s Okay to Grieve

Sometimes, Christians might give the impression that when a fellow Christian passes away, we shouldn’t be sad. That’s simply not true. Jesus wept at the graveside of his dear friend, Lazarus. Jesus wept even though he knew he’d raise Lazarus from the grave.

Losing someone we love hurts. We’re going to miss making memories with that family member or that friend. It’s okay. It’s okay to grieve. I miss my dad. I miss my grandparents. That hurts. And it’s okay to grieve.

But the Bible also tells us that as Christians, we don’t grieve like the rest of the world that doesn’t have hope. Because we believe in Jesus, who died and rose from the dead. And Jesus will raise to life all who have died with faith in him.

To be honest with you, as a Christian, my grief doesn’t consume me. Sure, some days are tougher than others, but while I mourn my loss of not being able to spend time with my family and friends who have passed away, I also celebrate their great gain of eternal life. And I take the greatest comfort that I will be reunited with them in heaven for eternity.

If you’re reading this or listening to this, I want that for you as well. But more importantly, God wants you to have this comfort. And that’s what Jesus delivers.

Prayer:

Dear God, thank you for the promise of a resurrection from the dead of all who have faith in you. May this truth bring me comfort when I mourn for my loved ones who have passed. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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.

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Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”
John 11:25-27

Life After Death

Benjamin Franklin has been credited with saying that there are two things certain in life: death and taxes.

Everyone you and I know is going to die. It is inevitable. There is no scientific discovery that can avoid it. There is no amount of money you have that can add years to your life. You and I are powerless to the inevitable. One day, you and I are going to die.

I realize that that can be a terrifyingly morbid thought. I don’t know what death will be like. I’ve never done it before. You would say the same. We don’t know what death will be like. But I know someone who does: Jesus.

Two thousand years ago, Jesus died. And his death had a great purpose! Martha knew who he was. She called him “the Messiah, the Son of God.” Ever since sin entered the world, it brought a terrible consequence: death. God did not create us to die. We die because we’ve been spoiled by sin. So God came up with a plan to rescue you and me from death. He promised that one day he would send someone very special, his Son, who would live a life without sin, a life that we couldn’t live. And his Son would give up his life so that you and I could live forever beyond death. Jesus promises, “The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.”

That promise brings me so much comfort. I know that I’ll eventually die. I might even die tomorrow. But Jesus has promised me life beyond death. And he’s promised you that as well. I hope and pray that it brings you peace.

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, thank you for dying in my place and for your promise that because I trust in you, I will live forever in heaven. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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.

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Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”
John 11:23-24

Words That Truly Comfort

Many people feel uncomfortable at funerals. I remember hearing a comedian quip that he read a poll which said that the number one fear of Americans is public speaking, and the number two fear is death. He laughed, ‘So that means people would rather be in the casket than give the eulogy!’

A lot of people don’t like funerals. And the reason I hear most often is that people don’t quite know what to say. ‘I don’t want to say the wrong thing.’ ‘I don’t want to say something insensitive.’ ‘I don’t want to compound their pain.’ Have you ever felt like that? What do you say at a funeral? Someone’s mother, someone’s spouse, someone’s child, someone’s friend, is lying there in the casket. The family is grieving and aching. They’ll have an empty chair at the dinner table during the holidays. They won’t be able to make more memories with that loved one. Death has seen to that. And death seems so final and scary.

Jesus had shown up at a funeral, and in a small interaction with a woman named Martha, whose brother had just died a few days before, Jesus gave her the words that truly comforted her! He said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” How could Jesus say such a thing? Martha’s brother had died. Isn’t death the end? Not at all!

Jesus himself died. He was nailed to a cross, and after hours of enduring the physical pain of execution and the full wrath of God, he gave up his life. But he didn’t stay dead! No, he walked out of his grave, and he promises that all who put their faith in him will do the same one day!

That is the greatest comfort that I have as a Christian. And that is what I share with those who are grieving the loss of a fellow Christian: They will rise again!

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, be with those who are mourning the loss of loved ones. Surround them with people who will comfort them with your promises of a resurrection. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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.

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On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Now Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”
John 11:17-21

Where Were You, God?

“Where were you, God?” Have you ever found yourself asking that question? Where was God when your life was falling apart? Where was God then?

Mary and Martha’s world was falling apart. Their brother, Lazarus, had been sick. And this wasn’t just a bug that knocked him out for a few days. It was obvious to his family that there wasn’t much hope he was going to recover. But this family had a special connection: a dear friend named Jesus! Jesus had healed other people before. ‘Surely Jesus will help our brother!’ Mary and Martha thought. So, they sent word for Jesus to come.

But when Jesus got word that his friend Lazarus was sick, do you know what he did? He waited. And Lazarus died. What? That doesn’t seem right! Why wouldn’t Jesus sprint to the side of his buddy Lazarus and cure him in an instant? You know that sentiment from Martha, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

I don’t know exactly what Jesus was thinking and why he didn’t come right away to heal Lazarus before he died. The Bible doesn’t say. But we can have every confidence in Jesus and that he will do things in his way and in his time.

Everyone has those times when they’re waiting for God to show up and fix this problem or that heartache. And we can turn to God in those times because he has already fixed our greatest problem—our sin! That’s why Jesus came. He came to take the sin of humanity and die so that our guilt would be taken from us. And like Lazarus, Jesus walked out of his tomb so that we could put our trust in him always.

Prayer:

Dear God, you know what is troubling my heart. Help me to trust in you and your plans for me. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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.