Eastertide Devotion – May 9

I love the Lord, because he has heard
    my voice and my pleas for mercy. Psalm 116:1

Psalm 116 is the Psalm appointed for this week. There are so many wonderful themes in the Psalm that a week or two of devotions would not exhaust its strong words.

Martin Luther saw this psalm as referring to Christ from beginning to end. It is one of the “Hallel” (Praise) Psalms that were included in the celebration of Passover. As you read Psalm 116, pause and close your eyes and imagine Jesus and his disciples singing this psalm “on the night that He was betrayed!”

Psalm 116

I love the LORD, because he has heard
    my voice and my pleas for mercy.
2 Because he inclined his ear to me,
    therefore I will call on him as long as I live.
3 The snares of death encompassed me;
    the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me;
    I suffered distress and anguish.
4 Then I called on the name of the LORD:
    “O LORD, I pray, deliver my soul!”
5 Gracious is the LORD, and righteous;
    our God is merciful.
6 The LORD preserves the simple;
    when I was brought low, he saved me.
7 Return, O my soul, to your rest;
    for the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.
8 For you have delivered my soul from death,
    my eyes from tears,
    my feet from stumbling;
9 I will walk before the LORD
    in the land of the living.
10 I believed, even when I spoke:
    “I am greatly afflicted”;
11 I said in my alarm,
    “All mankind are liars.”
12 What shall I render to the LORD
    for all his benefits to me?
13 I will lift up the cup of salvation
    and call on the name of the LORD,
14 I will pay my vows to the LORD
    in the presence of all his people.
15 Precious in the sight of the LORD
    is the death of his saints.
16 O LORD, I am your servant;
    I am your servant, the son of your maidservant.
    You have loosed my bonds.
17 I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving
    and call on the name of the LORD.
18 I will pay my vows to the LORD
    in the presence of all his people,
19 in the courts of the house of the LORD,
    in your midst, O Jerusalem.
Praise the LORD!

 Prayer: O Lord, even in my cries for mercy let me praise your holy name. Amen.

The Last Supper

Valentin de Boulogne

1625-1626

Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica

Rome, Italy

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Valentin_de_Boulogne,_Last_Supper.jpg

God’s richest blessings in Christ,

Pastor Philip Quardokus

Eastertide Devotion – May 8

And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” Acts 2:38-39

Peter had just preached the first Christian sermon on the day of Pentecost.  It is a magnificent testimony to Jesus life, death, resurrection and ascension. In a few short verses it lays out God’s plan of salvation. If you have time, read Acts 2:14-36.

Peter’s sermon concludes with these devastating words: “Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified” (Acts 2:36).  The people gathered to hear this first sermon were cut to the heart.  They had so long been waiting for God to send His Messiah and when He came, they had crucified Him.

Yet in a way each time we sin and fall short of God’s glory, we crucify Jesus.  Every time we are less than loving, we crucify Jesus.  Every time our language is foul, insulting or rude, we crucify Jesus.  Every time we ignore God’s holy law or make light of His commands, we crucify Jesus. These sinful actions, thoughts, and words afflict us every day. What are we to do? What will happen to us?

St. Paul brings his comforting word to us, “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost” (1 Timothy 1:15). Jesus came to fulfill God’s plan of salvation for YOU!

The people listening to Peter’s first sermon had the same concern, “Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’” (Acts 2:37).  To this Peter gave this most remarkable answer, ““Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself”

I’m not sure that I can begin to imagine the joy in the hearts of these people. They had crucified the Messiah and God was forgiving them! Three thousand were baptized that day and received the gifts that God attaches to Holy Baptism: forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit. These spectacular gifts are also offered to us and our children in baptism. Thanks be to God!

Prayer: O Holy Lord, I am sorry for all of my failures to obey your divine law. Thank you for forgiveness, life and salvation in Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.

The Baptism of the Neophytes

Masaccio 1401 – 1428

fresco (255 × 162 cm) — 1425

Brancacci Chapel, Santa Maria del Carmine, Florence

http://www.artbible.info/art/large/179.html 

God’s richest blessings in Christ,

Pastor Philip Quardokus

Eastertide Devotion – May 7

Love one another earnestly from a pure heart. 1 Peter 1:22

There is nothing more delightful than sincere earnest love from a pure heart! Yet it is so hard to find in our self focused world. No corporate office ever promoted on the basis of love. No political operative ever was chosen on the basis of love.

We use the word love in such strange and insincere ways.  We not only love our families but we also love pizza, baseball, sports cars, chocolate, and jewelry. Some learn how to manipulate and control with counterfeit love. Sexuality is confused with love. The list goes on and on.

While it is easy to become jaded and expect that the world will be hard and lacking in love, it is extremely disappointing when we find this same lack of love in the church. Over and over again I have seen bright-eyed enthusiastic young church workers become disillusioned by the lack of love displayed by some in the church. The corporate model replaces loving decisions. Fiscal responsibility replaces generosity based on love.

Indeed this is not new. From the time of Jesus on, the necessity to love has been repeated over and over. Jesus declared “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another” (John 13:34). His self-sacrificing death on the cross for our forgiveness and life is the supreme act of love. Having been redeemed by His love how can we not love one another in the same way?

St. Paul and St. John speak about love just as Jesus and Peter. Paul writes, “The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith” (1 Tim. 1:5). John declares, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God” (1 John 4:7).

During a time when the rescue of the church is seen in glitz and glamour, may we be reminded that what makes the church and the Christian faith attractive is loving “one another earnestly from a pure heart.”

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for loving me with a sincere love. Grant that I may earnestly love from a pure heart. Amen.

The Washing of the Feet

Il Tintoretto 1518 – 1594

oil on canvas (210 × 533 cm)

1548-1549

Museo del Prado, Madrid

http://www.artbible.info/art/large/352.html

God’s richest blessings in Christ,

Pastor Philip Quardokus

Eastertide Devotion – May 6

The word of the Lord remains forever. 1 Peter 1:25

I’ve been a pastor for almost four decades, during this time I have learned that the survival of the church depends on strong leadership and management practices.  I have learned that the survival of the church depends on adapting successful business strategies.  I have learned that the survival of the church depends on adopting new communication tools.  I have learned that the survival of the church depends on entertaining worship.  I have learned that the survival of the church depends of technology and video projectors.  I have learned that the survival of the church depends on opinion polls and keeping a finger on the pulse of young people.  I have learned that the survival of the church involves adopting the new cultural norms.  I have learned that the survival of the church depends on polished marketing campaigns.

While I certainly believe that the Lord deserves our best efforts in the use of the gifts that He provides, it is a deception of the devil to believe that the church depends on any of these. The church will always survive because it depends on Jesus and His word.  He founded the church and  He builds it.

During the Reformation it was a difficult time for many who relied on Jesus alone for their salvation. The forces of the Holy Roman Empire were poised to stamp out this new and revitalized discovery of the Gospel.  At that time 1 Peter 1:25 (The word of the Lord remains forever) became the motto of those who believed in the enduring power and authority of God’s Word.

Frederick the Wise took the first letter of each word from this verse in Latin (VDMA) and had it sewn on the right sleeve of everyone in his court.  It became the official motto of the Smalcaldic League and was used on flags, banners and uniforms as a symbol of God’s faithfulness to His people through His holy word.
As we approach the 2000th anniversary of Christ’s resurrection and Pentecost, it is important to remember that the survival of the church depends on nothing other than God and His word. It will remain forever. Cultures and business practices will come and go. Technologies will wax and wane. Opinions and polls will blow with the wind but the word of the Lord endures forever!

May we never lose heart in our struggle to remain faithful to the truth of God’s word and the message of salvation through faith in Christ.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for the gift of your holy and eternal word. Grant that I may never waver in my faith in Christ in spite of opposition that comes from the devil, the world, and my own sinful self. Amen.

Frederick the Wise

by Lucas Cranach the Elder

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Lucas_Cranach_d._%C3%84._097.jpg

The Word of the Lord Endures Forever

God’s richest blessings in Christ,

Pastor Philip Quardokus

Eastertide Devotion – May 5

You were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 1 Peter 1:18-19

These glorious words of St Peter have brought comfort to countless Christians throughout the centuries.  Living in a time of warped morality where evil is called good and good is called evil, it is easy to become confused. If salvation and redemption were to rest upon our own actions, we never could know whether we had made the right choices and decisions. But these words are a powerful reminder that our salvation depends not on what we do but on what God has done for us in Christ.

Martin Luther was convinced of the importance of these words when he included them in his explanation of the second article of the Apostles’ Creed:

I believe that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, and also true man, born of the Virgin Mary, is my Lord who has redeemed me, a lost and condemned person, purchased and won me from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil; not with gold or silver, but with His holy, precious blood and with His innocent suffering and death, that I may be His own and live under Him in His kingdom and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness, just as He is risen from the dead, lives and reigns to all eternity. This is most certainly true.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your only-begotten Son into the world to redeem me a lost and condemned sinner.  Grant that my faith in Christ will never be weakened from the constant barrage of worldly thinking that surrounds me every day. Amen.

Martin Luther 

(1533) 

by Lucas Cranach the Elder

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Lucas_Cranach_d.%C3%84._-_Martin_Luther,_1528_(Veste_Coburg).jpg

God’s richest blessings in Christ,

Pastor Philip Quardokus

Eastertide Devotion – The Third Sunday of Easter, May 4

“Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” Luke 24:32

The Gospel Lesson for today is the account of Jesus walking with two disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13–35). This is a stunning example of the spiritual blindness that affects us all. These two disciples do not recognize the risen Lord.  On their journey to Emmaus they patiently explain to Jesus everything that had happened in the previous days, including His crucifixion and the empty tomb. Unfortunately they hadn’t believed! Even walking along the road with Jesus himself is not enough.  Their human powers of observation and reason are wholly inadequate to the task of discerning spiritual things.

Jesus is even more patient with these two unnamed disciples. Luke reports, “And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself (Luke 24:26). Eventually, God in His mercy opens the eyes of these two fortunate disciples.  Luke records, “When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him” (Luke 24:30-31).

How wonderful it is to know that God has provided for us in Holy Scripture His full plan of salvation in Christ.  How breathtaking it is that He sends to us His Holy Spirit through Word and Sacrament to bring us to faith and keep us in the faith.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for the gift of Holy Scriptures and the Sacraments. Grant that Your Holy Spirit will keep me faithful in reading, studying and inwardly absorbing Your holy word.  Keep me faithful in receiving the wonderful blessings that You have attached to Your Holy Supper. Amen.

Supper at Emmaus 

by Caravaggio, 1601

National Gallery, London

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Caravaggio.emmaus.750pix.jpg

God’s richest blessings in Christ,

Pastor Philip Quardokus

Eastertide Devotion – May 3

1 Peter 1:3–9

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

1 Peter 1:3–9 was the Epistle lesson for this week.  It is a wonderful devotional message to read again and again, not only throughout the Easter season but all year long.

Though our lives here on earth we are often “grieved by various trials,” we constantly are strengthened by an “inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.”

Prayer: O blessed God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, I know that difficulties will come my way today and in the days ahead.  Grant me strength, encouragement and hope through Your promised salvation my soul. Amen.

God’s richest blessings in Christ,

Pastor Philip Quardokus

Eastertide Devotion – May 2

“We must obey God rather than men.” Acts 5:29

The first lesson for last Sunday begins with these words.  Unfortunately, the context is not supplied. In the previous verses we learn that Peter and the Apostles had been arrested for violating the direct command of the council: “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching” Acts 5:28.

There once was a time in our country when the legal system and the sentiment of our leaders were congenial to Christianity. In fact the Declaration of Independence makes little sense if you read it apart from a Christian context.  Regrettably, since the 1950’s Christianity and Christian values have become less and less welcome in the public life of our nation.

While we may long for the time when it was assumed that ours was a Christian nation and the USSR an atheist nation, it is unlikely that those days will return in our lifetimes. What is to be done?  It is important to remember that the very roots of Christianity were sprouted in a time of hostile authorities.

When Herod the Great learned of the newborn King of the Jews, he sought to have Him killed. When Jesus is crucified, Pilate places over His head a sign that reads, “Jesus of Nazareth King of the Jews.” Today we learn of Peter and the Apostles arrested for teaching the Christian faith.  The last time we hear of St. Paul in Acts, he was under imperial arrest.

How should we live in our current situation? The Augsburg Confession anticipated a day such as ours when it declares: “It is necessary for Christians to be obedient to their rulers and laws. The only exception is when they are commanded to sin” (AC XVI 6–7). The government and laws of the state are there for our good and blessing.  As Christians we are bound to obey them, yet we answer to a higher law.

May the Lord grant us His Holy Spirit so that we remain faithful to God.  Regardless of public sentiment, may He grant us the boldness of Peter and Paul to proclaim Jesus Christ and Him crucified for the forgiveness of sins. May our faith be strengthened when it is challenged by those in authority.

Prayer: God of the Nations, I pray that you would bless our president, congress and all who have authority to make and enforce laws in our nations. Grant to me the peace that passes all understanding when I am called upon to obey God rather than men.

St. Peter Preaching in the Presence of St Mark 

by Fra Angelico

circa 1433

Museo di San Marco, Florence

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Fra_Angelico_-_St_Peter_Preaching_in_the_Presence_of_St_Mark_-_WGA00464.jpg

God’s richest blessings in Christ,

Pastor Philip Quardokus

Eastertide Devotion – St. Philip and St. James, Apostles, May 1

Believe me that I am in the Father. John 14:11

Many of us share names with Bible characters. I have the privilege of sharing my name with the Apostle Philip (One “L” !!!). I take pride in reading about Philip when he does something noble for example when he finds Nathanael and invites him to come and see Jesus.

Today is Philip’s Day (along with James).  The Gospel lesson for today paints Philip in a less favorable light:

Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” Jesus said to him,  “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves. John 14:8-11.

Let us always remember that we see God most clearly not in creation but in the love He has for us in Jesus Christ.  During this time of Easter we are reminded that this love for us is most clearly displayed in the cross and empty tomb!

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for Philip, James and all the Apostles who have brought your message of salvation into the world. During this spring time, help me look past the beauty of the flowers and blossoms to the beauty of your love for us in Christ Jesus, our Savior. Amen.

St. Philip, by Peter Paul Rubens, 

from his Twelve Apostles series (c. 1611),

 at the Museo del Prado, Madrid

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philip_the_Apostle

God’s richest blessings in Christ,

Pastor Philip Quardokus

Eastertide Devotion – April 30

These are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. John 20:31

Have you ever noticed how easy it is to miss the point of a conversation?  A husband is distracted by the game on TV while his wife is sharing important thoughts with him.  A child is distracted by a video game while a mom is explaining important plans for the day. A Christian is distracted by rules for godly living in the Bible while the Apostle John is explaining the central message of Holy Scriptures.

It seems that many pastors and churches spend most of their time trying to get people to do good things and be good people. Christian publications thrive on publishing articles with titles like, “Seven Steps to being a Better Christian Parent,” “Five Important Elements of Successful Christian Living,” or “Three Keys for Fulfilling God’s Purpose in Your Life.”

The Bible does contain wonderful godly wisdom and insight into life but its purpose is not to make you a success in life. In fact Jesus warns that following Him will actually lead to persecution. The Book of Acts graphically portrays what happens to St. Paul as he faithfully teaches about Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

St. John reminds us in this verse that God’s ultimate will for you is not to become  the next Christian "success story" but that “you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”

Prayer: O Lord, let me kneel before your cross and humbly confess my sins.  Grant to me the faith to believe in the forgiveness, life and salvation that You won for me there. Encourage me with the promise of the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Doubting Thomas

Peter Paul Rubens 1577 – 1640

oil on panel (146 × 233 cm) — 1613-1615

Museum Royal Museum of Fine Arts, Antwerp

http://www.artbible.info/art/large/362.html

God’s richest blessings in Christ,

Pastor Philip Quardokus

Eastertide Devotion – April 29

If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”  John 20:23

John 20 is quite a remarkable chapter.  It begins with the women at the empty tomb and concludes with John’s explanation of his Gospel and by extension the entire Bible: “These are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:31).

In the middle we find the commissioning of the apostles: “As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you” John (20:21).

But what are the apostles commissioned to do?  Jesus explains that they are to “FORGIVE SINS!”  While it is true that forgiving sins is the exclusive right of God, Jesus now gives that right and privilege to His apostles and to His Church.

This most precious gift of forgiveness was won with Christ’s tremendous sacrifice on the cross.  Now it is to be transmitted to repentant people everywhere through the words of His people.

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, thank you for the breathtaking gift of forgiveness that you won for me on the cross.  Thank you for commissioning your Church to bring the love, joy and peace of forgiveness to repentant sinners everywhere. Amen

Doubting Thomas

Rembrandt 1606 – 1669

oil on panel (53 × 51 cm) — 1634

Museum Pushkin Museum, Moscow

God’s richest blessings in Christ,

Pastor Philip Quardokus

Eastertide Devotion – April 28

Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” John 20:28

It is unfortunate that St. Thomas acquired the moniker “Doubting Thomas.”  Indeed Thomas did doubt and in the most emphatic way when he declared --- “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”

Yet how wonderful it is that Jesus in His mercy granted to Thomas the exact demonstration which he had demanded to remove his doubt and Thomas responded “My Lord and my God!”

Thomas’ great confession of faith is one that the whole Christian Church makes when we confess the Nicene Creed.  Jesus is indeed God of God, Light of Light, Very God of Very God.

May the Holy Spirit grant to us the faith of St. Thomas as we live in a world of skeptics.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for your generosity in appearing to Thomas at his doubting request. Grant that my prayer would ever be: Lord I believe. Help Thou my unbelief. Amen.

The Incredulity of Saint Thomas is a painting of the subject of the same name by the Italian Baroque master Caravaggio, c. 1601–1602. It is housed in the Sanssouci Palace, now a museum, in Potsdam, Berlin, Germany.

God’s richest blessings in Christ,

Pastor Philip Quardokus

Eastertide Devotion – The Second Sunday of Easter, Quasimodogeniti, April 27

Like newborn babes, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up to salvation;
1 Peter 2:2 (RSV)

Quasimodogeniti is my favorite Latin name for a Sunday.  If you have attended Christ Lutheran Church on the Sunday after Easter (now often referred to as the Second Sunday of Easter), you know that I say this every year. Here is the rest of the story.

I do like the sound of this Latin word and the way it rolls off my tongue, but that is not why I like this Sunday.  And it isn’t because I have an affinity for the Hunchback of Notre Dame as some have guessed. It actually relates to a sermon I heard for Quasimodogeniti in 1978!

I had been ordained and installed as Missionary-at-Large for the Minnesota North District of the LCMS in 1977.  The surprising thing is that I was called to serve in two Northwestern Ontario communities, Ignace and Sioux Lookout. I say surprising because there was no one more surprised than me on call day (with the possible exception of my wife, Valerie).

We packed our belongings and began the work in these far away communities. (In fact when I went to the Canadian Embassy in Chicago to apply for my visa, the Canadian official asked where I was moving and when I told him, he exclaimed, “Oh là là”). Each Sunday I would preach and conduct the Divine Service, first in one congregation and then drive 93 miles and repeat the process in the other community.  We developed wonderful friendships along the way but I’m glad I was young then.

After the better part of a year, Valerie and I traveled the 12 hours to Brainerd, MN for our district convention. There I heard the most wonderful sermon on Quasimodogeniti.  I can tell you many of the details still to this day. But I soon realized why this was the most wonderful sermon.  It was the first sermon that I had heard in almost a year!

I had been preaching each week and hearing and reading God’s Word but it was so wonderful to sit in the congregation and hear proclaimed to me the sweet message of forgiveness won by Christ on the cross. It was delightful to hear the glorious message of the resurrection applied to my very being.

So each year at this time I remember these words of St. Peter, “Like newborn babes, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up to salvation;” and indeed I do, I pray that you do too.

Prayer: Lord let me be like a newborn baby, longing for the pure spiritual milk of your holy word. Amen.

God’s richest blessings in Christ,
Pastor Philip Quardokus

Eastertide Devotion – April 26

But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Matthew 28:5-6

“He's Risen, He's Risen” has been one of my very favorite Easter hymns since I was a small child. The words and music were written by C. F. W. Walther, the first president of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. He was a wonderful musician and lover of music. He wrote other hymns but this is the only one that found its way into our hymnal.

He’s risen, He’s risen, Christ Jesus, the Lord;
He opened death’s prison, the incarnate, true Word.
Break forth, hosts of heaven, in jubilant song
And earth, sea, and mountain their praises prolong.

C. F. W. Walther wrote many books and delivered many papers and sermons throughout his life. His book, “Law and Gospel” may be the most important Lutheran book written in America. Yet his little hymn has probably touched more people than all of his other works combined. With the words of “He’s Risen, He’s Risen,” Walther carries forward the work of the angel at the empty tomb.

But short was their triumph; the Savior arose,
And death, hell, and Satan He vanquished, His foes.
The conquering Lord lifts His banner on high;
He lives, yes, He lives, and will nevermore die.

May our Easter joy continue until we draw our last breath and see our Savior, Jesus, face to face.

O, where is your sting, death? We fear you no more;
Christ rose, and now open is fair Eden’s door.
For all our transgressions His blood does atone;
Redeemed and forgiven, we now are His own.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, may you grant that my Easter joy will continue all my days. Amen.

If you would like to read all of the stanzas of Walther’s hymn, “He’s Risen, He’s Risen” is hymn 480 in Lutheran Service book, hymn 198 in The Lutheran Hymnal and 138 in Lutheran Worship.

You can read more about this remarkable man at  http://www.studiumexcitare.com/content/64.

God’s richest blessings in Christ,
Pastor Philip Quardokus

Eastertide Devotion – April 25

So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Matthew 28:8

Back by popular demand!  Well actually several people were kind enough to mention to me that they missed my little daily Lenten devotions, so I’m going to give the old college try to continue these devotions.  My goal is to make them daily but I’m sure you will forgive me if I am unable to meet that goal.

Joy and fear are an unlikely combination of feelings. I can’t even begin to imagine what the two Marys were thinking. Their beloved friend who had been so brutally executed and buried was now alive!!! That’s what the angel had said. Now they must go and share this most wonderful news. 

This great news of Jesus’ resurrection also brings us joy.  Our sins are forgiven and heaven is our home. In spite of any fear I may have, I must go and tell about Jesus’ resurrection.

Martin Luther writes: “A Christian must accustom himself to think about Christ’s victory—the victory in which everything has already been accomplished and in which we have everything we should have. Henceforth we live only to spread among other people the news of what Christ has achieved” (Luther’s Works Vol. 24, page 421)

Prayer:  Thank you Lord for the wonderful news of Christ’s resurrection. Grant to me the joy of Christ’s victory every day of my life. Help me to share that wonderful news with people I love. Amen.

God’s richest blessings in Christ,

Pastor Philip Quardokus

Lenten Devotion - The Resurrection of Our Lord, April 20

Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb.  John 20:1

Our walk through Lent with the Lord’s Prayer ends with the joyful celebration of the Resurrection of Our Lord.  In Jesus and His resurrection God declares His “Amen” to all of our prayers.

In the Small Catechism we read: This means that I should be certain that these petitions are pleasing to our Father in heaven, and are heard by Him; for He Himself has commanded us to pray in this way and has promised to hear us. Amen, amen means “yes, yes, it shall be so.”

Thine the amen Thine the praise
    Alleluias angels raise

Thine the life eternally
    Thine the promise let there be
Thine the vision Thine the tree
    All the earth on bended knee
Gone the nailing gone the railing
    Gone the pleading gone the cry
Gone the sighing gone the dying what was loss lifted high.

Thine the glory in the night
    No more dying only light
Thine the river Thine the tree
    Then the Lamb eternally
Then the holy holy holy
    Celebration jubilee
Thine the splendor Thine the brightness only Thee only Thee.

Thine the amen Thine the praise
    Alleluias angels raise

Selected from 

Thine The Amen, Thine The Praise 

by Herbert F. Brokering

Prayer: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

God’s richest blessings in Christ,
Thank you for taking this Lenten/Easter Journey through the Lord's Prayer with me.

Pastor Philip Quardokus

Download a pdf of all the Lenten devotions here.

Lenten Devotion - Holy Saturday, April 19

The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.
Psalm 121:7-8

Luther’s Small Catechism:

But deliver us from evil.

What does this mean? We pray in this petition, in summary, that our Father in heaven would rescue us from every evil of body and soul, possessions and reputation, and finally, when our last hour comes, give us a blessed end, and graciously take us from this valley of sorrow to Himself in heaven.

Every hour in our lives is important.  Think of the very first hour.  Imagine the pride and excitement that your parents must have experienced as they held their tiny child in their hands for the first time.

Think of the hour when you were received into the family of God through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism. Imagine the joy among the angels in heaven over one sinner who repents (Luke 15:7).

For most of us there have been many hours that have passed since those hours that began our earthly and eternal life. Yet it is true that another hour awaits us all, our last hour. What we have done with all the hours of our lives will take on different meaning then.  All that is worldly will be meaningless and only that which comes from Christ will remain valuable.

God’s ultimate will for you is to welcome you to His eternal mansions when your last hour arrives.  He has worked everything out in your life so that you would hear the Gospel and believe that He sent His only Son to die on the cross for your sins.  He has sent the Holy Spirit to bring you to that faith and keep you in the faith.  He will graciously take you from this valley of sorrow to Himself in heaven.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we live in an overwhelmingly evil world where sin and death are on every hand. Preserve us from that evil now and when the time is right bring us to yourself in heaven for Christ’s sake. Amen.

God’s richest blessings in Christ,
Pastor Philip Quardokus

Download a pdf of all the Lenten devotions here.

Lenten Devotion - Good Friday, April 18

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Matthew 6:9-13

Luther writes in the Large Catechism:

But deliver us from evil. Amen.

In the Greek text this petition reads, “Deliver or preserve us from the evil one,” or “the hateful one.” It looks like Jesus was speaking about the devil, like He would summarize every petition in one. So the entire substance of all our prayer is directed against our chief enemy. For it is he who hinders among us everything that we pray for: God’s name or honor, God’s kingdom and will, our daily bread, a cheerful good conscience, and so forth.

Therefore, we finally sum it all up and say, “Dear Father, grant that we be rid of all these disasters.” But there is also included in this petition whatever evil may happen to us under the devil’s kingdom: poverty, shame, death, and, in short, all the agonizing misery and heartache of which there is such an unnumbered multitude on the earth. Since the devil is not only a liar, but also a murderer [John 8:44], he constantly seeks our life. He wreaks his vengeance whenever he can afflict our bodies with misfortune and harm. Therefore, it happens that he often breaks men’s necks or drives them to insanity, drowns some, and moves many to commit suicide and to many other terrible disasters [e.g., Mark 9:17–22]. So there is nothing for us to do upon earth but to pray against this archenemy without stopping. For unless God preserved us, we would not be safe from this enemy even for an hour.

Prayer: Dear Father in heaven, preserve and protect us from all evil, especially the Evil One.  Grant that we may rest secure in your love and grace for Jesus sake. Amen. 

God’s richest blessings in Christ,
Pastor Philip Quardokus

Download a pdf of all the Lenten devotions here.

Lenten Devotion - Maundy Thursday, April 17

Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Mark 14:38

Luther’s Small Catechism:

Lead us not into temptation.

What does this mean? God tempts no one. We pray in this petition that God would guard and keep us so that the devil, the world, and our sinful nature may not deceive us or mislead us into false belief, despair, and other great shame and vice. Although we are attacked by these things, we pray that we may finally overcome them and win the victory.

Since the devil, the world, and our sinful nature continually tempt us to sin, God has provided means for us to be strengthen against this onslaught. Those means are the word and sacraments.

One of the greatest temptations of Satan is his attempt to have us doubt God’s love and grace. Therefore, in God’s holy word we learn—Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night when He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to the disciples and said: “Take, eat; this is My body, which is given for you. This do in remembrance of Me.”

In the same way also He took the cup after supper, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you; this cup is the new testament in My blood, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”

Luther asks this question: What is the benefit of this eating and drinking?

He answers this way: These words, “Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins,” show us that in the Sacrament forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation are given us through these words. For where there is forgiveness of sins, there is also life and salvation.

Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for giving your very body and blood on the cross for my salvation. Strengthen me with your word and Spirit when I receive this body and blood in, with and under the bread and wine at your holy table. Amen.  

God’s richest blessings in Christ,
Pastor Philip Quardokus

Download a pdf of all the Lenten devotions here.

Lenten Devotion - Wednesday, April 16

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, Matthew 6:9-13

Luther writes in the Large Catechism:

And lead us not into temptation.

We have now heard enough about what toil and labor is needed to keep all that we pray for and to persevere. This, however, is not done without weakness and stumbling. Although we have received forgiveness and a good conscience and are entirely acquitted, yet our life is of such a nature that we stand today, and tomorrow we fall [Isaiah 40:6–8]. Therefore, even though we are godly now and stand before God with a good conscience, we must pray again that He would not allow us to fall again and yield to trials and temptations.

Temptation, however, or (as our Saxons in olden times used to call it) Bekörunge, is of three kinds: of the flesh, of the world, and of the devil.  For we dwell in the flesh and carry the old Adam about our neck. He exerts himself and encourages us daily to unchastity, laziness, gluttony and drunkenness, greed and deception, to defraud our neighbor and to overcharge him [Galatians 5:19–21; Colossians 3:5–8]. In short, the old Adam encourages us to have all kinds of evil lusts, which cling to us by nature and to which we are moved by the society, the example, and what we hear and see of other people. They often wound and inflame even an innocent heart.

Next comes the world, which offends us in word and deed. It drives us to anger and impatience. In short, there is nothing but hatred and envy, hostility, violence and wrong, unfaithfulness, vengeance, cursing, railing, slander, pride and haughtiness, with useless finery, honor, fame, and power. No one is willing to be the least. Everyone desires to sit at the head of the group and to be seen before all [Luke 14:7–11].

Then comes the devil, pushing and provoking in all directions. But he especially agitates matters that concern the conscience and spiritual affairs. He leads us to despise and disregard both God’s Word and works. He tears us away from faith, hope, and love [1 Corinthians 13:13], and he brings us into misbelief, false security, and stubbornness. Or, on the other hand, he leads us to despair, denial of God, blasphemy, and innumerable other shocking things. These are snares and nets [2 Timothy 2:26], indeed, real fiery darts that are shot like poison into the heart, not by flesh and blood, but by the devil [Ephesians 6:12, 16].

Prayer: Heavenly Father, as I struggle against the devil, the world and my own sinful nature, strengthen me by your Spirit that I may resist the temptation to sin. Strengthen and preserve me in the true faith. Amen.

God’s richest blessings in Christ,
Pastor Philip Quardokus

Download a pdf of all the Lenten devotions here.