St. Johns News

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.
1 Peter 3:18

Our Perfect Substitute

Daily Devotion – May 16, 2023

Devotion based on 1 Peter 3:18

See series: Devotions

Are you going to heaven when you die? If so, why? Is it because you are good enough for God? Have you stacked up enough good deeds to outweigh whatever wrongs you may have done? Have you worked so hard to be better than the average person—so much so that you have avoided most of the ‘big sins’?

Maybe you have determined that you are going to try harder every day and get better each day so that you will reach a level of goodness where God will be pleased enough to let you into heaven.

That all sounds exhausting. And none of it ever works. To be sure, people are striving hard to do good things and be better people. However, the world doesn’t have any perfect people–none who would classify as being without sin. God has one requirement for heaven: perfection. We can all try as hard as we want, but we will never reach that goal on our own.

God has a better way. He provided a substitute. He knew we could never achieve perfection on our own. So he provided someone who could do it for us. God sent the righteous for the unrighteous. Jesus came into this world and lived a perfect life. He never once sinned! And at the end of that perfect life, he gave himself over to death on a cross to die in our place. In a wonderful exchange, God traded the perfect life of Jesus for our lives of sin. Through Jesus, God provided us with the righteousness we lacked. Getting to heaven is not about what we do. (Thank God for that because try as we might, we are unrighteous.) Rather, it is all about what Jesus has done for us. Through his work on the cross, his righteousness replaces our unrighteousness. Through faith in his work for us, we are going to heaven!

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for being righteous in my place and earning my salvation. Rather than relying on my level of goodness, help me to trust in your work and sacrifice on my behalf. 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.

For Christ also suffered once for sins.
1 Peter 3:18

Jesus Solved Our Biggest Problem

Daily Devotion – May 15, 2023

Devotion based on 1 Peter 3:18

See series: Devotions

What is the biggest problem you have in your life right now? Maybe it is a health issue for you or a family member. Perhaps it is an issue related to finances at home or at work. It could be problems with employees, or a strained relationship with a spouse or sibling. Maybe it is a combination of all the above. Or maybe, it is none of the above but a whole list of other things. Life is full of problems.

No matter how many of these listed problems are plaguing you, none of them are actually your biggest problem. The Bible helps us to understand that we have a problem far greater than sickness, finances, and relationships. Our biggest problem is sin. Sin is so easy to notice when someone does it to us, but we somehow have difficulty recognizing it when we sin against God. And sins add up quickly. Our impure thoughts, unloving actions, and unkind words all are sins against God. Each sin might not seem like that big of a problem, but here’s the thing: each sin deserves to be punished with eternal separation from God and his goodness. We don’t like to hear that, but deep down, we know it to be true.

But the wonderful news of the Bible is that someone already suffered for us. Jesus came into this world as our substitute, and he suffered and died for each and every one of our sins. Our sinful thoughts, words, and actions are paid for. Jesus endured the punishment that should have been ours, and as a result, we are forgiven and saved. We will not be struck down by God for our sin. Rather, through faith in Jesus, we will be welcomed into the mansions of heaven. Jesus has solved our biggest problem, and now through faith in him, we can trust him to help us take care of the other problems we face in this world.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for suffering in my place so that I am forgiven and saved. Be with me and give me strength as I face the problems of this world, knowing that you have already won heaven for 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.

“God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.”
Acts 17:27

Finding God

Daily Devotion – May 14, 2023

Devotion based on Acts 17:27

See series: Devotions

Greek mythology includes a man named Tantalus, who was uniquely favored because he was invited to share the food of the gods. However, he abused his relationship as a guest and was punished by hunger and thirst. He was immersed up to his neck in water, but when he bent to drink, it all drained away. Fruit hung on trees above him, but when he reached for it the winds blew the branches beyond his reach. From this myth, we get the word “tantalizing.” By it we mean we are almost there. It’s just out of reach.

That’s what the apostle Paul wrote about when it comes to finding God. We can look around us and see that there is a divine order to all of the creation in which we live. Look at the way our bodies function. Look at the order in the universe. We can tell great things about God from the world around us, but we can’t tell who he is. Isn’t that “tantalizing”?

God gave us the ability to recognize this order so that we would hopefully seek God and find him. But God doesn’t hand out clues like some celestial riddle maker. Nor do we need to be a spiritual Sherlock Holmes to find him. He gave us the Bible so we would have specific information and know who he is and where we can find him. God sent Jesus to make us absolutely certain that God is right here with us, loving us, directing us, and providing for us. You can find him too, in the Bible.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for revealing yourself to me in your Word. Direct my eyes to the wonderful mercies you have shown to me through Jesus. Lead me to your Word daily so that my soul may be refreshed by your grace. 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.

[Jesus said] “My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, I would have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”
John 14:2,3

Hope

Daily Devotion – May 13, 2023

Devotion based on John 14:2,3

See series: Devotions

In Jesus’ day, it was the wedding custom that just after the Jewish couple was engaged, the groom would go to prepare a home or room for his bride. Then upon returning to the bride’s home, he would sweep his lady off her feet and take her to their wedding ceremony.

Part of this sounds very romantic—a bride waiting expectantly, not quite sure when her beau will come. Surely the young woman had great confidence that her fiancée would return to pick her up for the wedding. After which, they would have a glorious life together. But there must have been a little doubt as she waited so eagerly while hours, even days passed by.

Jesus understood that after he left the earth, the hope of his followers for his return could easily slip from sure faith to nagging doubt. So just before he died, Jesus explained that they could be confident in their hope in him. No matter how long the delay, Jesus would return and take them to heaven with him.

Jesus gives this sure promise to all who have hope in him: “I am going [to my Father’s house] to prepare a place for you. … I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”

You might be hoping to get a raise or that your team wins the World Series, or even that you have found the right “someone.” Yet, with all our dreams and hopes, we can never be sure. Relationships can go sour, jobs can get cut, or teams can fizzle out during the stretch. What makes Jesus so amazing is that we can put our complete confidence in him and know that he will never fail us—not now, not forever. In Jesus, we have true hope.

Prayer:
Jesus, focus my faith on your promise that you will return to take me to the glorious heavenly home you are now preparing for me and all believers. 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.

Jesus is “‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
Acts 4:11,12

Jesus the Cornerstone

Daily Devotion – May 12, 2023

Devotion based on Acts 4:11,12

See series: Devotions

A cornerstone plays a vital role in the construction of a building. It is the first stone or brick placed on a corner where two walls meet. The cornerstone must be perfectly level and straight because it serves as a guide for where the rest of the stones or bricks will be placed. If the cornerstone is imperfect or unlevel, even slightly, the completed building is likely to be unstable. The quality of the cornerstone is important, and not just with buildings.

The apostle Peter quoted Psalm 118 when he referred to Jesus as the cornerstone. It is a fitting title for Jesus as he and his Word, like a cornerstone, serve as a perfectly reliable guide for our lives. We are wise to live our lives in line with the perfect instruction we find in God’s law, and we have all suffered to varying degrees the consequences of what happens when we don’t.

“Cornerstone” is a fitting title for Jesus for another reason. If Jesus were imperfect, even slightly, his death on the cross would not have been accepted as a sacrifice on our behalf. But Jesus was perfect and without sin, giving stability to our souls as we build our lives on the certainty of forgiveness won by him.

Those who crucified Jesus rejected the cornerstone. Let us never fail to embrace him by faith.

Prayer:
Lord God, help me to guide my life according to your Word and ground my faith on all that was accomplished for me by Jesus, the cornerstone of my soul. 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.

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. Jesus is “‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
Acts 4:8-12

Witnesses of the Way

Daily Devotion – May 11, 2023

Devotion based on Acts 4:8-12

See series: Devotions

Some would say that what Peter did here was risky, unwise, or even foolish. He and the disciple John had been thrown into prison the previous evening by people who did not like the message of Jesus they were teaching. They ordered them not to tell people about Jesus anymore.

But the very next day, Peter boldly proclaimed the greatness of Jesus again by crediting Jesus’ power as the cause behind the miracle he and John had performed. Then, Peter went on to condemn his accusers for their sin of crucifying Jesus. Finally, Peter sharply told them they were all spiritually misguided for not believing in Jesus as the Savior.

Not exactly the best way to make new friends, some might say.

But Peter knew people needed to hear about Jesus. He knew there was no other life so perfect that it could fulfill God’s laws on our behalf. He knew there was no sacrifice as sufficient as the one Jesus offered on the cross to forgive our sins. He knew there is no better Savior than the One who is proven to be more powerful than death and has promised eternal life to all who believe in him.

That’s why Peter wasn’t afraid to share his faith. This is why we don’t need to be either. Nothing can separate us from the love of Jesus. No one can ever take us from his gracious and perfect care.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, there is no name that evokes such gratitude in my heart as yours. Keep me always close to you so that I will be a bold witnesses of my Savior. 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.

[Jesus said] “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?”
John 14:1,2

Jesus Is the Way for You

Daily Devotion – May 10, 2023

Devotion based on John 14:1,2

See series: Devotions

How comforting are these words of Jesus promising that our time standing by gravesides and crying at funerals, grieving over the sin in our own hearts, and groaning along with all creation over the universal brokenness caused by sin will one day entirely end. In his Father’s house are many rooms, and not one of them will have the scent of death. There will be no reasons for crying in any one of them, and all of them will be eternally far away from the feelings of pain that come from living on an earth that will never be heaven.

As Jesus reminds us of these wonderful truths; he tells us to do something very important. He tells us to trust him when he says that he has prepared it all especially for you. It was such an important truth for Jesus to share that he said it again later that night in a different way.

This is the same evening Jesus instituted Holy Communion; during which he said, “Take and eat; this is my body, given for you.” “Take and drink, this is my blood, shed for you.”

That night, he was reminding us that we get to come to Jesus just as we are. Not some version of who you want to be. Not some picture of who you think you used to be. Not you on your best day. Just you, exactly as you are today, with all of your sins—past sins, future sins, open sins, secret sins, accidental sins, willful sins, and awful sins; sins you saw coming and sins you didn’t realize you committed until you saw the damage they had done—entirely forgiven.

Jesus is our way to peace because his life has always been entirely focused on you.

Prayer:
Gracious Savior, you lived and died that each soul could find the peace of forgiveness. Thank you that this gift it mine to enjoy for eternity. 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.

[Jesus said] “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?”
John 14:1,2

Do Not Let Your Heart Be Troubled

Daily Devotion – May 9, 2023

Devotion based on John 14:1,2

See series: Devotions

You might know that it is possible to tour the wreckage of the Titanic—a boat that famously sank after hitting an iceberg on its maiden voyage in 1912. Currently, a ticket for this experience will cost you $250,000—which apparently isn’t too much for many people. Tours regularly sell out because so many people are eager to look at the wreckage.

And that’s not entirely uncommon. When there is a car wreckage on the side of the road, the average driver slows down and starts looking at it. Reality TV is a booming business because it specializes in letting everyone see the wreckage of people’s lives, relationships, and decisions. People enjoy and apparently are willing to pay money to look at various wreckages, except one type. It’s not very enjoyable looking at your own.

This is why Jesus’ words in John chapter 14 are so comforting, “Do not let your hearts be troubled,” Jesus told his disciples. In life and death, we find great comfort in Jesus’ promise that he has prepared many rooms in heaven for you and for me. But did you know that one of the most comforting portions in the Bible immediately follows one of the most unsettling?

In John chapter 13, Jesus pointed out the wreckage sitting around their dinner table with him when he told Judas that he would betray him and Peter that, despite his best intentions, he would deny Jesus three times. And immediately after those conversations, Jesus said his famous words—”Do not let your hearts be troubled.”

And that is good news for anyone who has suddenly seen the sinful wreckage inside themselves—maybe because, like Peter, they denied their faith multiple times in quick succession; or because, like Judas, they quickly fell into temptation. If your heart is, or even has been, wrecked by guilt over your sins, then hear the words of our Savior, who already earned your forgiveness.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled … In my Father’s house are many rooms … I am going there to prepare a place for you.”

Prayer:
Gracious Savior, thank you for saving me from the wreckage of my sin. Help me to live my life in the peace and comfort I find in your love. 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.

Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:5,6

Jesus Is the Way

Daily Devotion – May 8, 2023

Devotion based on John 14:5,6

See series: Devotions

The island of Maui in Hawaii is home to some breathtaking sites. Towering waterfalls, peaceful pools, vibrant forest, colorful gardens, and so much more fill the east side of the island. However, there is only one way to get there; you must travel on the “Road to Hana,” which is a narrow, often dangerous road that sometimes touches the edge of a cliff that drops hundreds of feet to the ocean below. Many have travelled the Road to Hana safely to enjoy the beautiful sites. But because the road can be very unsettling, many tourists avoid it and never end up seeing the beautiful sites it leads to.

You may never travel to Maui, and you may have no desire to see what’s there, and that’s ok. But everyone will want to be in heaven as it is the only place where we will be fully free from sin and where every tear will be wiped away. And there is only one way to that location as well.

“I am the way,” Jesus said. Notice he didn’t say that he is “a” way into heaven. He is “the” way. And that’s good news for us; for it means that your way into heaven does not depend on your effort, obedience, works, or even on your ability to successfully avoid falling into temptation. It depends entirely on the already-completed and perfect work of the One who died to forgive us and rose again.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you for gifting me with a future of perfection in heaven that I could never have provided for myself. 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.