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The lawyer who tries to test Jesus was supposed to be an expert—not in criminal law, or tax law, or business law, but in the Law of God. But he shows by his questions that, smart as he was, he didn’t understand the first thing about God’s holy Law. It is possible both to be an expert on a subject and…

Martin Luther said that your god is whatever you look to for help in the time of trouble. Two men went up to the temple to pray, that is, to find help in the time of trouble. The Pharisee prayed thus with himself, “God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even…

Our Gospel text this morning is set during the triumphal entry of Palm Sunday. You are familiar with the scene: Jesus riding upon a donkey as He enters Jerusalem, the multitude of disciples waving palm branches and rejoicing as they sing, “Hosanna to the Son of David. Blessed is He who comes in the name…

The righteous man perishes, and no one takes it to heart; merciful men are taken away, while no one considers that the righteous is taken away from evil. ( Is 57:1 ) Apart from Scripture and the promises of Christ, we don’t know how or what to think about death. We don’t understand it. We can’t measure…

If you ask a scientist to explain the eye, he will probably start talking about the iris and pupil, or about rods and cones. Ask a Christian, and he will likely speak about how the eye is designed and fashioned by God, which is true. But if you consult Scripture, you will find that the eye is the instrument…

At that time: All the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Jesus to hear Him. And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, “This Man receives sinners and eats with them.” ( Lk 15:1–2 ) If you ask a Christian, “What is the mission of the church?”, he will probably answer with something to…

“A certain man gave a great supper and invited many, and sent His slave at supper time to say to those who were invited, ‘Come, for all things are now ready.’ ” When a man gives a wedding feast for his son or his daughter, the invitations usually go out a few months in advance. But Jesus speaks here…

We don’t have to look to hard to find persecution of Christians in the world today. Perhaps you saw the photo of the 21 Coptic martyrs a few years back as they were led across the sand before being beheaded by their Islamic captors. Or, more recently, you may have heard of the atrocities being perpetuated…

During the introductory rite of Confession and Absolution, the pastor speaks the following words: “In the stead and by the command of my Lord Jesus Christ I forgive you all your sins, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” When visitors from another Christian tradition attend…

When a man of considerable means is preparing to die, he leaves instructions for how to distribute his possessions among his heirs. This is called his last will and testament. And often a lawyer is involved to ensure that the language of the will is clear and beyond dispute. A last testament is no place…

Many Christians do not believe that children can enter the kingdom of God through Holy Baptism. But far from being an exception, Jesus holds up little children as the model for those who enter the kingdom. And He says to us adults, “Unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by…

This Sunday the church begins her countdown to Easter. In seventy days we will celebrate the resurrection of our Lord. That is what Septuagesima means—seventy days. But before joy comes sorrow. Before the Resurrection comes suffering. Before the feast of heaven comes the fast of life in this sinful world.…

“When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother did not know it; but supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day’s journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances. So when they did not find Him, they…

To be a Christian means to believe in Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God the Father, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. If you are a Christian, you confess these truths. Perhaps you have confessed them so many times, as we do in the Creeds, that you know the words…

The words of the Introit are a prayer, imploring God to keep His saving promise: “Remember us, O Lord, with the favor that Thou bearest unto Thy people: oh, visit us with Thy salvation!” ( Psalm 106:4 ) The collect echoes this plea, “Stir up, O Lord, we beseech Thee, Thy power, and come and help us with…