St. Johns News

When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”
Luke 24:30-32

Restored Hope

Daily Devotion – April 27, 2023

Devotion based on Luke 24:30-32

See series: Devotions

On the first Easter evening, two of Jesus’ disciples were traveling to a town called Emmaus. They were sad because Jesus had been killed. Suddenly, the risen Jesus joined them. But they did not recognize him. As Jesus explained to them that everything that had happened was part of God’s plan, they felt increasingly hopeful. Maybe, just maybe, the women who had seen the empty tomb were right. Maybe Jesus really was alive.

Then they got to Emmaus and persuaded their traveling companion to stay with them for the evening. As they sat down to eat, Jesus took bread and broke it, just as he had done a few days earlier when he celebrated the Passover with his disciples. At that moment, the eyes of the two disciples were opened. They recognized Jesus. They could see for sure that Jesus was alive. Their hope that Jesus was the Messiah was restored!

It is highly unlikely that any of us in this life will have the privilege of recognizing Jesus as he sits across from us at the dinner table. In this life, we may not see the risen Jesus with our own eyes. But we have his words which show us how he fulfilled all of God’s plan for our salvation. We have the eyewitness testimony of these two disciples and so many others who did see the risen Jesus with their own eyes. Our hearts burn within us as we hear this testimony that Jesus is alive. And based on all that testimony, our hope is restored.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, by your resurrection you have restored my hope. Help me always to trust in 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.

[Jesus] said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
Luke 24: 25-27

Grounded Hope

Daily Devotion – April 26, 2023

Devotion based on Luke 24: 25-27

See series: Devotions

Hope is only as good as the foundation on which it stands. I can hope all I want that the air will hold me up when I jump off the top of a ladder. But since the foundation on which that hope stands is, well, as thin as air, that hope will fail me. On the other hand, when I hope that the concrete sidewalk that I’m walking on will support me, I can be confident that I won’t be disappointed. The foundation on which that hope is built is as strong as concrete.

On the first Easter evening, two of Jesus’ disciples were traveling to a town called Emmaus. They were sad because Jesus had been killed. Suddenly, the risen Jesus joined them. But they did not recognize him. Jesus used the opportunity to explain to them that what had happened to him was precisely what God had predicted through the Old Testament prophets. He wanted them to know that their hope in Jesus rested on the solid foundation of God’s Word.

The hope that God has given us is built on that same solid foundation. When we trust that Jesus died and rose to pay for all our sins, we are not walking on air. We are walking on something far stronger than concrete. We are walking on God’s Word and his promises that cannot be broken.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you for giving me a solid hope that is grounded in your Word. 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.

“In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”
Luke 24:22-24

Unbelievable Hope

Daily Devotion – April 25, 2023

Devotion based on Luke 24:22-24

See series: Devotions

Two of Jesus’ disciples were walking toward a town called Emmaus on Easter evening. The risen Jesus joined them, but they did not recognize him. As they walked and talked, the two disciples shared with Jesus what had happened earlier that morning. And it was unbelievable. Some of the women who had been followers of Jesus went to his tomb to complete the burial of his body. But instead of finding Jesus’s corpse lying in the tomb, they found two angels who told them that Jesus was alive. Two of the other disciples also went to Jesus’s tomb and found things just as the women had said. Jesus’s body wasn’t there.

How could this be? Dead bodies don’t just get up and walk out of their tombs, do they? Could the women be correct in saying that Jesus was alive? It all was too much to believe.

Those two disciples were not the only people who struggle with unbelievable news from God. Perhaps you struggle to believe God when he tells you, “[I] will remember [your] sins no more” (Jeremiah 31:34). Or maybe you can’t conceive of how these words of Jesus can be true: “The one who believes in me will live, even though they die” (John 11:25). Perhaps you find it unbelievable that the glory God has in store for those who believe in him far outweighs the weight of trouble we must carry in this life (Romans 8:18).

What those two disciples found unbelievable was true. Jesus was alive! In fact, the proof of Jesus’s resurrection was walking right beside them. They just didn’t realize it yet. In the same way, God’s unbelievable promises to us are always true. When God, who knows all things, tells us that he no longer remembers our sins, he means it. In Jesus, he has forgiven all our sins. Jesus, who rose from the dead, will indeed give eternal life to all who believe in him. And the glory that awaits God’s people makes all the trouble we went through to get there not even worth considering. What seems unbelievable is real with God, for with God all things are possible.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, strengthen my faith so that I may always trust your unbelievable promises. 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 asked his two disciples who were walking to the village of Emmaus on Easter,] “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” “What things?” he asked. “About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel.”
Luke 24:17-21

Lost Hope

Daily Devotion – April 24, 2023

Devotion based on Luke 24:17-21

See series: Devotions

Cleopas and his friend had lost hope. The one they had hoped was the Messiah was dead—at least as far as they knew. They had hoped that Jesus of Nazareth, would be the long-promised Messiah. But how could he be the long-promised Messiah now that he was dead?

Cleopas and his friend lost hope because what they saw was not what they expected. They are not alone. We can fall into the same trap. Perhaps, we desperately pray that God would heal a loved one, but instead our loved one dies. Perhaps we have prayed that God would bring godly revival to our nation, but things just seem to get worse.

When we are tempted to lose hope because God isn’t doing what we expect him to do, we need to look even more intently on what God truly has promised us. God never fails to do what he has promised. God has forgiven all our sins in Jesus, just as he promised. God always works all things for the good of those who love him, just as promised. God will take all who believe in him to heaven, just as he promised. When we cling to God’s promises, we will always have hope.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, help me to cling to your promises so that I never lose hope. 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 you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.
1 Peter 1:18,19

A Sense of Worth

Daily Devotion – April 23, 2023

Devotion based on 1 Peter 1:18,19

See series: Devotions

“You like me! Right now, you like me!” gasped Sally Fields at the Oscars in 1985. She longed to know she was worth something. You and I long for the same, a sense of worth.

But as we see our selfish behavior, our broken relationships, our failed goals and dreams, how do we often feel? Perhaps worthless, or worth little?

God says, “you were redeemed . . . with the precious blood of Christ.” How much does God think you’re worth? God thinks you’re worth the blood of Jesus!

Think about it. Something’s value is always determined by what someone is willing to pay for it. Take, for example, a 1909 Honus Wagner baseball card. Though it’s really just a piece of cardboard, in July 2000, it became worth a million dollars! Why? Because that’s what someone paid for it.

So, what did God pay for you? He paid the blood of Jesus for you. Proving what? Proving that God thinks you’re priceless! Proving that God likes you! Yes, right now! And that he’ll keep on liking you, forever!

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I marvel that you were willing to pay the price for my sins, even though it cost you your precious blood. Thank 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.

In [God’s] great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade This inheritance is kept in heaven for you.
1 Peter 1:3,4

Living Hope

Daily Devotion – April 22, 2023

Devotion based on 1 Peter 1:3,4

See series: Devotions

What has your week been like? There are plenty of reasons for discouragement and disillusionment. Maybe you have been struggling with health, finances, or relationships. Maybe it seems like there is no purpose in the day-to-day routine, or there is no hope of it changing.

But there is good news! We have hope because of the change Jesus accomplished by his resurrection from the dead. Forgiveness has been assured us, his presence with us has been promised, his power in the world is active for us. He has connected us to something bigger than this world—eternal life with him, an inheritance that defies the fading and disappearing pattern of earthly hopes. The fact that he came alive and defeated the power of death gives us living hope. By faith in Jesus, we will live even after we die!

Jesus is our living leader who safely brings us through those times and circumstances now that would overwhelm us, and he points us to the eternal and perfect life he has prepared for us in heaven. Through Jesus, our resurrected Lord and Savior, we have living hope.

Prayer:
O Jesus, dispel the gloom that surrounds me with the bright promise of salvation which you accomplished by your death and resurrection. Fill my heart with the living hope of eternal life in heaven. 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.

Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
1 Peter 1:8,9

Joy in What We Don’t See

Daily Devotion – April 21, 2023

Devotion based on 1 Peter 1:8,9

See series: Devotions

A week after he died, Jesus appeared to his disciple, Thomas, and said, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” For Thomas, seeing was believing. The proof of Jesus’ resurrection gave him peace and joy.

But we weren’t there in that room with the disciples. We haven’t seen the risen Jesus with our own eyes. How can we have the same peace, joy, and hope as those disciples?

As a person enters hospice care, waiting for the day they will breathe their last, all they can see coming is death. As a family stands at the graveside of a loved one before the urn or casket is lowered into the ground, all they can see is death. Irreversible, unchangeable death. That is if they see only with the eyes of their bodies and their reason.

But things aren’t always what they seem. When Jesus cried, “It is finished,” on the cross, it looked like all hope was finished. Any chance of him being the promised Savior was over. But the empty tomb on Easter morning proved that wasn’t the case. When Jesus’ friends went to his tomb that morning, what they didn’t see brought them hope. What they didn’t see was the body of Jesus. That’s because he was alive.

And he still lives. Because he lives, you can rejoice, even in the face of struggles. You can be confident, even in the face of death. You can be sure that because his grave is empty, yours will be empty one day too. You can trust that through Jesus’ dying and rising in your place, your guilt has been removed. Your salvation has been won. Eternal life with your God and Savior is yours. Let that truth fill you with joy that can’t be put into words.

Prayer:
Jesus, though I haven’t seen you with my own eyes, I believe that you live. And because you live, I know that I will too. Let this news fill me with joy in life and in death. 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.

In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you.
1 Peter 1:3,4

A Guaranteed Inheritance

Daily Devotion – April 20, 2023

Devotion based on 1 Peter 1:3,4

See series: Devotions

Perhaps you’ve been named in someone’s will. That will says that, if that person dies, you will be given this amount of money or that piece of property or these personal possessions.

But being named in the will doesn’t mean that you will receive those things. The money might all have to pay for medical bills or the funeral. The property might burn down or have to be given to the bank to pay for debts. The personal possessions might break, wear out, or be lost before you ever receive them. A will does not guarantee an inheritance.

But the resurrection of Jesus does. That’s because the inheritance Jesus has prepared for you doesn’t consist of dollars and cents. It won’t wear out, break, or lose its luster. It won’t be stolen or squandered before you receive it. It can’t be reduced with estate taxes or stored in a safe deposit box. In fact, it isn’t even stored on earth. It is stored in God’s eternal storehouses in heaven, where there is no destruction, decay, or theft.

The inheritance guaranteed by Jesus’ resurrection is the riches of a God who owns all things. It’s the joy of an eternity in his presence, surrounded by his love, separated from all the things that bring us pain, sadness, and death.

Jesus’ resurrection is proof that God can and will do exactly what he has promised. It is the signature on the bottom of the will that guarantees that our inheritance is safely stored for us in heaven, just waiting for us to enjoy after our death on this earth or after Jesus returns on the Last Day.

Because Jesus lives, this unfading inheritance is guaranteed for all who trust in Jesus, whose death and life takes away guilt, forgives sins, and wins eternal life.

Prayer:
Jesus, because you live, I have proof that an eternal inheritance is mine. Thank you for guarding that inheritance for me and for guarding me, while I wait to receive it. 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.