In the 14th chapter of the Gospel according to St. John, Jesus says this to his disciples: “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” No normal person enjoys conflict. But…
John 6:22-35 Please listen with me to a reading from the sixth chapter of the Gospel according to St. John, beginning at the 22nd verse. On the following day, when the people who were standing on the other side of the sea saw that there was no other boat there, except that one which His…
John 16:23-33 In today’s Gospel from St. John, Jesus says: “Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” This is one of many passages in…
Easter 2 – John 20:19-31 Many people today believe in life after death and in ghosts. The increasing number of popular ghost-story and ghost-hunting shows on television testifies to this – as does the common notion that the souls of dead loved ones remain with their family members, and watch over them. Many people find…
John 15 A few minutes ago, we sang a well-known Lutheran hymn about the ascension of our Lord that begins with a prayer of thanksgiving that might – at first thought – seem to be expressing an odd and unexpected sentiment: “We thank Thee, Jesus, dearest Friend, That Thou didst into heaven ascend.” If a…
John 10:11-18 Jesus said: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. The hireling…
Easter 2 – John 20:19-31 St. John tells us in his Gospel that on the evening of the first day of the week, the doors were locked where the disciples were, “for fear of the Jews.” The disciples of Christ, as they huddled together on the evening of that first Easter, were afraid. They were…
John 6:26-69 After the miraculous feeding of the multitude, which today’s Gospel reading from St. John recounts, Jesus and his disciples left the place where this had happened and went to Capernaum. The next day, when the people had figured out where Jesus had gone, they followed him. It would seem that they wanted an…
Sermon Text: John 2:1-11 If something is blessed by the presence and approval of Jesus, then that thing is – without a doubt – a good thing, to be enjoyed and celebrated. Weddings are good. Marriages are good. Families are good. Or at least, they are supposed to be good. But they are not always…
Reformation Sunday – John 8:31-36 O God, our Lord, Your Holy Word was long a hidden treasure Til to its place it was, by grace, restored in fullest measure. For this today our thanks we say, and gladly glorify You. Your mercy show and grace bestow, on all who still deny You. This opening verse…