Devotions

The God Who Lets You Call Him “Dad” – March 25, 2026

2026/03/25/in Devotions, Family Devotions

Read: Romans 8:11-19

And by him we cry, “Abba, Father. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ. Romans 8:15,17

The God Who Lets You Call Him “Dad”

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

How big is God? Think about it for a moment. God describes himself as filling the whole universe. That means He is everywhere—here with you right now, across the world in China, and even up on the moon. All of God is in all those places at the same time!

And how far does God’s “bigness” extend? Listen to this amazing part: “And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’” “Abba” is an old (Aramaic) word that means, “Dad.” So, a little child would say, “Abba, Abba,” just like little kids would say, “Daddy, Daddy!”

Can you imagine it? The holy, all-powerful God looks at you and says, “I want you to talk to me, and you can call me ‘Dad.’” Not “All-Powerful One.” Not “O Amazing One.” Instead, he says, “You get to call me ‘Dad.’” That’s amazing!

Why can we do that? Because God adopted us into his family. He sent Jesus to become our brother. But we weren’t perfect brothers and sisters—we were sinful, selfish, and made wrong choices. So Jesus our brother did what we couldn’t do—he went to the cross to pay for all our sins.

The result? Listen: “We are heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:17). An “heir” (not “hair”!) is someone who inherits things from their parents. That means one day, we will share in the same wonderful life that Jesus has with God forever. What an incredible act of mercy! God loves us so much and he lets us call him “Dad.” What a gracious God we have!

Prayer:

Father in heaven, thank you for making me your child. Help me to speak with you daily in prayer. Lead me to look forward to the glorious inheritance awaiting me in heaven. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

What special name does God say we can call him?
If God is big enough to be everywhere, do you think he can hear you when you talk to him?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

What does it mean that God is everywhere at the same time? Why does that make you feel safe or happy?
Why do you think God wants us to call him “Abba” or “Dad” instead of something scary or far away?

Questions for Middle School and Above

How can God be so big (filling the universe) and still be close enough to hear us call out, “Abba, Father”?
What does it mean that we are God’s children and “co-heirs with Christ”? How does that change the way you see yourself and God?

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Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.

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.

Life After Death – March 25, 2026

2026/03/25/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

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Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”
John 11:25-27

Life After Death

Benjamin Franklin has been credited with saying that there are two things certain in life: death and taxes.

Everyone you and I know is going to die. It is inevitable. There is no scientific discovery that can avoid it. There is no amount of money you have that can add years to your life. You and I are powerless to the inevitable. One day, you and I are going to die.

I realize that that can be a terrifyingly morbid thought. I don’t know what death will be like. I’ve never done it before. You would say the same. We don’t know what death will be like. But I know someone who does: Jesus.

Two thousand years ago, Jesus died. And his death had a great purpose! Martha knew who he was. She called him “the Messiah, the Son of God.” Ever since sin entered the world, it brought a terrible consequence: death. God did not create us to die. We die because we’ve been spoiled by sin. So God came up with a plan to rescue you and me from death. He promised that one day he would send someone very special, his Son, who would live a life without sin, a life that we couldn’t live. And his Son would give up his life so that you and I could live forever beyond death. Jesus promises, “The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.”

That promise brings me so much comfort. I know that I’ll eventually die. I might even die tomorrow. But Jesus has promised me life beyond death. And he’s promised you that as well. I hope and pray that it brings you peace.

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, thank you for dying in my place and for your promise that because I trust in you, I will live forever in heaven. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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.

Lent Devotion – From the Cross to the Grave – Week 5

2026/03/24/in Devotions, Womens Lenten Devotions, Womens Seasonal Devotions

Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons… Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb.
Matthew 27:55-56,61

Finding Remarkable in the Ordinary

We aren’t told how the news first reached the women. Maybe it was a brief, hurried conversation in the dead of night: “The Jewish leaders seized Jesus while he was with his disciples in Gethsemane.” It might have been a few words whispered in the wee hours of the morning: “The chief priests and the elders sent Jesus before Pilate in hopes of having him executed.” Or perhaps it was a hastily delivered update: “He’s been sentenced to crucifixion, and he’s on his way to Golgotha right now.”

Regardless of how the women found out, they came. They huddled at the foot of the hill as their teacher, mentor, and friend hung suspended from the cross. They heard his last words: forgiveness for the soldiers, hope for the criminal next to him, love for his mother. They experienced the darkness and the earthquake. They witnessed Jesus’ death.

Of course, the women didn’t go home immediately. How could they? Preparations for the Sabbath were waiting, and the day of rest was quickly approaching. But they had cared for Jesus’ needs during his life, and they weren’t about to stop now with his death. They followed as Nicodemus and Joseph took the body away from the cross. They watched as the linen-wrapped corpse was laid in Joseph’s own tomb. And they waited until the stone was rolled across the entrance to the tomb before going home—to rest on the Sabbath, yes, but first to prepare spices and perfumes for a trip back to the tomb early on Sunday morning.

In one sense, the women’s actions were remarkable. They faithfully followed Jesus to the cross even when all his disciples (except John) abandoned him and showed their devotion in the midst of horrific circumstances. But in another sense, the women behaved exactly as expected. They had likely prepared spices and perfumes before for other deceased family members and friends. They were simply carrying out their common, ordinary, everyday vocations in faithful service to their Lord.

How did the news first reach you? Was it a brief, hurried phone call late at night sharing the details of a termination at work? A few words texted in the wee hours of the morning lamenting the breaking of curfew again by a wayward teenager? A hastily delivered update from a family member or friend on their way to the doctor or hospital? And, regardless of how you found out, did you come? Did you bring help and prayers and words of Christian counsel? Did you simply carry out your common, ordinary, everyday vocation in faithful service to your neighbor?

Our lives today are very different from those of the women in Jesus’ day. And yet, we share a common calling with those women. As God’s holy and dearly loved people, we are called to serve those he places in our lives, whether that’s our dearest friend or someone we’ve just met. And best of all? When we faithfully carry out our vocations, when we show love and kindness to even the least of those around us, we are showing that same love and kindness to our Savior. How remarkable!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, in you we live and move and have our being. Lead us to see those you have placed in our lives, those who need our care and kindness. Bless our actions as we seek to faithfully carry out our vocations, and remind us that all this is done in service to you. Amen.

Written by Kristi Meyer

Words That Truly Comfort – March 24, 2026

2026/03/24/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

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Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”
John 11:23-24

Words That Truly Comfort

Many people feel uncomfortable at funerals. I remember hearing a comedian quip that he read a poll which said that the number one fear of Americans is public speaking, and the number two fear is death. He laughed, ‘So that means people would rather be in the casket than give the eulogy!’

A lot of people don’t like funerals. And the reason I hear most often is that people don’t quite know what to say. ‘I don’t want to say the wrong thing.’ ‘I don’t want to say something insensitive.’ ‘I don’t want to compound their pain.’ Have you ever felt like that? What do you say at a funeral? Someone’s mother, someone’s spouse, someone’s child, someone’s friend, is lying there in the casket. The family is grieving and aching. They’ll have an empty chair at the dinner table during the holidays. They won’t be able to make more memories with that loved one. Death has seen to that. And death seems so final and scary.

Jesus had shown up at a funeral, and in a small interaction with a woman named Martha, whose brother had just died a few days before, Jesus gave her the words that truly comforted her! He said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” How could Jesus say such a thing? Martha’s brother had died. Isn’t death the end? Not at all!

Jesus himself died. He was nailed to a cross, and after hours of enduring the physical pain of execution and the full wrath of God, he gave up his life. But he didn’t stay dead! No, he walked out of his grave, and he promises that all who put their faith in him will do the same one day!

That is the greatest comfort that I have as a Christian. And that is what I share with those who are grieving the loss of a fellow Christian: They will rise again!

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, be with those who are mourning the loss of loved ones. Surround them with people who will comfort them with your promises of a resurrection. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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 Makes the Dead Alive – March 23, 2026

2026/03/23/in Devotions, Family Devotions

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Read: 2 Kings 4:17-37

When Elisha reached the house, there was the boy lying dead on his couch. He went in, shut the door on the two of them and prayed to the LORD. Then he got on the bed and lay on the boy, mouth to mouth, eyes to eyes, hands to hands. As he stretched himself out on him, the boy’s body grew warm. 2 Kings 4:32-34

God Makes the Dead Alive

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

“Death scares us, but it really shouldn’t. Death is just a natural part of life.” That’s a quote from a popular children’s book about death. It’s a touching story, that is, until you see what a Shunammite woman is cradling in her arms. The Bible tells her story in 2 Kings. In her old age, God blessed her with a gift that she never expected: a little boy. She watched him grow up, playing and learning, and she loved him very much. But one day, as he was working in the field with his dad, his head began to hurt. A servant rushed him home to his mother and she cradled him in her arms until he died. Her heart was broken.

Sometimes people say things like “death is just a natural part of life” to make it sound simple. But when someone we love dies, that doesn’t feel true at all. We hate and fear death because it is sad and scary.

The Shunammite woman did the right thing—she went to God’s prophet Elisha, trusting that God could help. Elisha prayed to the Lord, and God brought the boy back to life! This miracle shows us two things: 1. God is loving and merciful. 2. God has power, even over death.

Just like that boy, we are born with sin, and we will face death one day. But God made a way from death to life through Jesus. When we are baptized, God makes us spiritually alive. Baptism joins us to Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. It makes us forgiven children of God and gives us the gift of eternal life.

That doesn’t mean you’ll never cry when someone you love dies. Sometimes, there may be a part of you that wants to quote whatever phrase you can to make the pain go away. But when you want to understand death, look to Jesus. Stories like today’s remind us: death is real, but God has the power to fix it. Jesus didn’t just bring the Shunamite boy back to life—he brings life to you too. This Lenten season, look at Jesus on the way to the cross. He teaches us not just about death, but about real life with him.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, thank you for sending Jesus to provide a real answer to death. Because Jesus lives, we too will live! Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

Who helped the Shunammite woman when her little boy was very sick and died?
When you feel sad or scared, who should you go to for help?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

Why do some people say things like “death is just a natural part of life”? Why does that not feel true when someone we love dies?
How did God show his power and love in the story of the Shunammite woman and her son?

Questions for Middle School and Above

Why is death hard for people to understand and deal with?
How does baptism connect us to Jesus’ victory over death? How does that help Christians face sadness and grief?

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Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.

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.

Life is Rough – Week of March 23, 2026

2026/03/23/in Devotions, ECME Devotions

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Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

“Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

John 11:25-27

Life is Rough

The little boy falls on the sidewalk and gashes his chin open… the day before family pictures. Life is rough! A preschool classmate tells a friend that she had to say good-bye to their family dog yesterday. Life is rough! Packing away the family nativity set, one careless move causes a piece to slip out of the daughter’s hand and crash to the floor. Broken memories. Sometimes life is rough.
Life was rough for Martha and Mary as well. Normal day to day activities (like getting water, making meals, doing chores) were always difficult. Life could be grueling. Then their dear brother, Lazarus, became sick. Now life became troubling. Recovering from illness in that day was complicated. They sent for Jesus, their friend and miracle worker. But Jesus did not come. Life became distressing as they waited and waited and finally watched Lazarus die. The sisters’ hearts shattered at the loss. Life just took a hard left turn from rough into devastating.

Our own life might mirror the downhill slide of these sisters. We know full well that being a believer in Jesus does not mean daily life will look like a Pinterest board with everything in place, always sunny and constantly delightful. Life is rough this side of heaven. Jesus does not promise a life that is free of suffering and temptation. Jesus actually says that life will be full of trouble and hardship, conflict and persecution. Yet, Jesus also promises that he will work all of that for our good. He uses the sin-caused hardships and the groaning of creation to shape his people into even more trusting children of God. He uses the rough parts of life to help eyes of faith look to God for daily bread, daily wisdom, and daily strength.

There is an ultimate devastation in this life. It is death. Think about Mary and Martha again. Even with Jesus right there, they experienced death. How sad! Yes, unless Jesus returns before we die, our lives absolutely will end in the same way; they will end in death. There is nothing we can do to “handle” death.

However, we know the same friend, Jesus. Mary and Martha called on Jesus. With eyes of faith, they looked to Jesus as their Savior from their sin—and that means he’s also the Savior from death. Jesus is the only one who can handle death, and he did handle death by living his perfect life, by dying on the cross, and by rising on the third day. The first Easter day, Jesus defeated our eternal death.

So, Jesus says to you and me, “I am the resurrection and the life.” He is our resurrection and life. The life he gives may get rough. But it also has pure joy and has no end. Thanks be to Jesus that our true life will be in heaven with him.

Prayer:

Dear Jesus,
Thank you for being my resurrection and my life. Please help me look to you for my daily strength until you bring me safely home to heaven with you. Amen!

Early Childhood Ministry Educator’s (ECME) Devotions are brought to you by WELS Commission on Lutheran Schools.

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.

Where Were You, God? – March 23, 2026

2026/03/23/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

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On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Now Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”
John 11:17-21

Where Were You, God?

“Where were you, God?” Have you ever found yourself asking that question? Where was God when your life was falling apart? Where was God then?

Mary and Martha’s world was falling apart. Their brother, Lazarus, had been sick. And this wasn’t just a bug that knocked him out for a few days. It was obvious to his family that there wasn’t much hope he was going to recover. But this family had a special connection: a dear friend named Jesus! Jesus had healed other people before. ‘Surely Jesus will help our brother!’ Mary and Martha thought. So, they sent word for Jesus to come.

But when Jesus got word that his friend Lazarus was sick, do you know what he did? He waited. And Lazarus died. What? That doesn’t seem right! Why wouldn’t Jesus sprint to the side of his buddy Lazarus and cure him in an instant? You know that sentiment from Martha, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

I don’t know exactly what Jesus was thinking and why he didn’t come right away to heal Lazarus before he died. The Bible doesn’t say. But we can have every confidence in Jesus and that he will do things in his way and in his time.

Everyone has those times when they’re waiting for God to show up and fix this problem or that heartache. And we can turn to God in those times because he has already fixed our greatest problem—our sin! That’s why Jesus came. He came to take the sin of humanity and die so that our guilt would be taken from us. And like Lazarus, Jesus walked out of his tomb so that we could put our trust in him always.

Prayer:

Dear God, you know what is troubling my heart. Help me to trust in you and your plans for me. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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.

Exactly What I Need: Life – March 22, 2026

2026/03/22/in Teen Devotions

One key truth: Everyone faces death because of sin. But because Jesus defeated death, those who trust in him will live forever.

Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.”
Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”
Martha replied, “I know that he will rise in the resurrection on the Last Day.”
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me will live, even if he dies. And whoever lives and believes in me will never perish. Do you believe this?”
“Yes, Lord,” she told him. “I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.”
John 11:21-27 EHV

Exactly What I Need: Life

Martha. Yes—that Martha. The one from the famous bible story about Mary and Martha. The sisters who invited Jesus into their home. Martha was busy cooking and serving while Mary sat and listened to Jesus. Martha got frustrated that her sister wasn’t helping—and Jesus gently reminded her that listening to his Word mattered most (Luke 10:38-42).

But things are very different now. Martha’s brother Lazarus is dead. Before he died, he had been seriously sick. Martha believed Jesus was the Messiah. She knew Jesus could heal people. She even believed he had the power to stop death. So she sent word to Jesus to come quickly. But Jesus didn’t arrive in time.

Have you ever waited for help that didn’t come fast enough? Imagine how Martha felt. Now what? What would you say to Jesus if you were standing where Martha stood? Martha doesn’t explode in anger. She doesn’t accuse Jesus. Instead, she says something honest and full of faith: “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” Then she adds something amazing: “But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” Martha trusted Jesus—even in the middle of grief.

Jesus told her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha answered, “I know that he will rise in the resurrection on the Last Day.” In other words, Martha believed in heaven. She believed God would raise the dead one day. Her faith wasn’t shallow. She trusted God’s promises.

But Jesus wanted her to see something even bigger. Jesus said: “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me will live, even if he dies.” Death is one of the scariest things people think about. Nobody likes talking about it. It feels unknown and out of our control. And the truth is: every person will face it someday.

But Jesus changes the whole story. Jesus came to defeat sin. He came to destroy death. How did he do it? By dying in our place on the cross… and then rising from the dead. Because Jesus lives, he makes this promise: “Whoever believes in me will live, even if he dies.” That means death is no longer the end for those who trust in Jesus.

For believers, death is not a dead end. It’s a doorway. It’s the moment when Jesus brings his people into eternal life with him. How can we be sure? Because the one who said, “I am the resurrection and the life”… proved it by rising from the grave himself.

And today he still asks the same question he asked Martha: “Do you believe this?”

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, you are the resurrection and the life. Thank you for conquering death and filling our hearts with hope that never fades. Strengthen our faith to trust your promises, so that even in the face of death, we rest in the life you give that never ends. Amen.

Teen Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.

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.

Everything Is All Right – March 22, 2026

2026/03/22/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

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“Run to meet her and ask her, ‘Are you all right? Is your husband all right? Is your child all right?’” “Everything is all right,” she said.
2 Kings 4:26

Everything Is All Right

How could this woman possibly say that everything was all right? The son she thought she would never have, had died while sitting in her lap. And now she was saying everything was all right? She said this because in her heart, her son was not dead until the prophet Elisha had the last word. Little did she know that everything was all right. Through Elisha, God brought the boy back to life and returned him to his mother.

How often did your parents have to tell you, “Everything is all right,” when you were little? They would say, “Everything is all right. There are no monsters under your bed waiting to gobble you up.” “Everything is all right. Even though you don’t feel well, I’ll give you medicine and take care of you until you feel better.” “The storm will soon pass. Everything is all right.” It is, you know.

That’s not a mere wishful sentiment or a white lie. Everything is all right.

It’s all right because the holy man of God—the God-man Jesus—came to show compassion to every distressed parent, every suffering child. Just as Jesus reassured a mourning mother outside of Nain that everything was all right and she should stop crying, so he reassures us that everything is all right when he promises that “everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.”

For every parent and child who has shed bitter tears, Jesus rose from the grave. Jesus rose triumphant from the grave and promises you that because he lives, everything is all right.

Prayer:

Thank you, Jesus, for the promise of eternal life through you. Use this to remind me when times are tough that, in the end, everything will be all right. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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.

Why? – March 21, 2026

2026/03/21/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

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As [Jesus] went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life. …” Having said this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means Sent). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.
John 9:1-7

Why?

Often, when we see someone struggling or suffering, we wonder: Why? Why is that man homeless? Why is that woman sick? Why does that family fight so much? Whenever we see unpleasant situations—whatever they might be—we wonder why.

Jesus speaks about sin’s connection to struggles and suffering in the case of the man who was born blind: “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” he said. Not every hardship is caused by a particular sin. The struggles and sufferings that many people experience are beyond their control.

So why was he blind? That man was blind for two reasons. The first reason was because he was born in a sinful and cruel world. The impact of sin is terrible and enormous. It can be sickening and distressing. Suffering is the result of living in this sinful world, but Jesus teaches that not every experience of suffering in our lives is due to a particular sin we have committed.

The second reason this man was blind is far more beautiful. He was born blind so that God could work through him. Jesus saw him and had mercy on him. He reached out to the man and healed his physical malady. Through this miracle Jesus revealed his power as the Son of God to give sight and heal.

This is why God sent his Son. Sin destroys but Jesus restores.

Prayer:

Jesus, I know that, by nature, I am blinded by sin. Thank you for reaching out and healing me from my blindness through your Son and your Word. Open my eyes that I might see Jesus as the light of the world. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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.

Military Devotion – Beyond the Flag-Draped Case – March 20, 2026

2026/03/20/in Military Devotions

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Based on Romans 8:11-18

Beyond the Flag-Draped Case

It’s not an easy thing to watch the carry team salute the six flagged-draped transfer cases at Dover Air Force Base. It’s even harder to read the stories about those fallen service members. These are men and a woman with families and friends and children who expected to receive them home as they walked off an aircraft, not carried in a coffin.

When a fallen warfighter is escorted home, the ceremony and honor given to the remains of the body reminds everyone that death is real and painful—but it also reflects the promise that their story is not forgotten. The military honors their name, their body, and their future legacy.

God promises even more. “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you” (Romans 8:11). The same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead will raise our mortal bodies. That same Spirit lives in you. For you who are baptized into Christ’s name are baptized into Christ and all he has done. If Christ died and his body was raised never to die again, so also you and I will have bodies that will be raised, no longer subject to aging, disease, or the effects of war, but free from the reign of decomposition, bodies which will live indefinitely.

Death does not have the final word.

Paul then reminds us why we do not grieve like the rest of the world, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18). What is it like? How do we compare it? If you had scales in front of you and placed the weight of suffering and grief on one side of the scale, what would you put in the other that would far outweigh suffering and grief? Paul is saying that the weight of glory is so great that you cannot weigh it. Can you imagine it? Caskets and urns will be opened, and life will be found there where death once reigned. Bodies laid to rest at sea, down in the very depths of the waters, will be raised to live and die no more and God will share his glory with us in heaven for all eternity.

Grieve and be sad. But grieve with hope – the sure certainty that since Christ is certainly raised and lives, those who die in Christ will rise to die no more. Yes, there is life eternal beyond the flag-draped case.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, you know the grief that fills our hearts when death comes close. Comfort all who mourn, especially the families and brothers and sisters in arms who receive loved ones home not as they hoped. Remind us by your Spirit that death does not have the final word. As you were raised from the dead, so you promise that all who are baptized into you will also be raised to life. Strengthen us to grieve with hope, trusting that the glory you have prepared for your people far outweighs every suffering of this present time. Keep us steadfast in this promise until the day you raise the dead and make all things new. Amen.

Written and recorded by Rev. Paul Horn, WELS National Civilian Chaplain to the Military, San Diego, California.

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. Note: Scripture reading footnotes are clickable only in the web version.

The Best and Brightest Light – March 20, 2026

2026/03/20/in Devotions, Family Devotions

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Read: John 9:1-7,13-17,34-39

As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing. John 9:1-7

The Best and Brightest Light

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Think about this: A flashlight lights up the path for the person holding it—but the last person in line still can’t see very well. Car headlights light the road ahead, but they don’t shine far enough for everyone on the highway. A lighthouse warns ships about rocky waters, but it can’t light up every ship far away—they need their own lights.

Lights are helpful, but they all have limits. Some are very small, like a single candle. Some are strong, like the lights used for highway construction at night. Even the sun only lights up the part of the earth that faces it.

But Jesus is different. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world” (John 9:5). That means he isn’t just for a few people. He is bright enough for everyone! If Jesus’ light is for everyone, that includes me, and that includes you!

Why is Jesus’ light so important? Without him, people don’t even realize they are in the dark spiritually. And that kind of darkness is really serious—it’s not just stubbing your toe on a chair in a pitch-black room. It’s being separated from God and missing out on his love forever.

But there is enough light for everyone! Jesus is enough. And now we can help others see it too. We can share the light of Jesus so no one has to stay in the dark about God’s love.

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, you are the Light of the world. Shine so brightly that no one remains in the darkness of unbelief! Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

Can you remember a time when you were scared of the dark and then felt better when a light was turned on? What happened?
Why is Jesus the most important light in the whole world?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

Jesus didn’t say he was “a” light or “one of many” lights—he said he is “the” Light of the world. Why do you think that matters?
Churches and believers help others see Jesus’ light. What are some ways they can do that?

Questions for Middle School and Above

A light can help someone in the dark in two ways: to show where they are and to show where they need to go. How does Jesus do both of these things for us spiritually?
Jesus said he was the Light of the world “while I am in the world.” He also talked about a time when the darkness was coming, after which no one could work. What do you think he meant by that?

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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.

Giving Sight to the Blind – March 20, 2026

2026/03/20/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

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Jesus heard that they had thrown [the formerly blind man] out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” “Who is he, sir?” the man asked. “Tell me so that I may believe in him.” Jesus said, “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.” Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him.
John 9:35-38

Giving Sight to the Blind

Imagine what it would be like: being blind all your life and then suddenly you can see; going from living in utter darkness to having powerful and colorful light instantly pouring into your eyes! Ironically, that kind of newly discovered light must be blinding.

But those who have come to trust in Jesus as their Savior from sin and death don’t need to imagine what this must be like, because they once lived in the most dreadful darkness, the dark shadow of sin and death. What’s worse, the apostle Paul once described those who once lived in unbelief as people who “were dead in your transgressions and sins” (Ephesians 2:1). Being spiritually blind is bad enough. Being spiritually dead seems like an unescapable sentence.

But that’s why Jesus comes, to give sight to the blind and raise the dead. Already 700 years before his birth, the prophet Isaiah described Jesus’ work this way: “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned” (Isaiah 9:2). And Jesus himself explained why he comes to sinners like you and me, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10).

While it was indeed a miracle for Jesus to give sight to the blind man—until that day the man had never seen—the far greater miracle was when Jesus granted him the eyes of faith. He asked the man, “Do you believe in the Son of Man,” the Messiah? “Who is he, sir,” the man responded. “Tell me so that I may believe in him.” Jesus replied, “You have now seen him.” Then the man said, “Lord, I believe.”

Through his powerful Word, Jesus also shows himself to us, giving sight to the blind and life to the dead. Let us also say, “Lord, I believe!”

Prayer:

Jesus, help me always see your perfect love and salvation. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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.

Telling It Like It Is – March 19, 2026

2026/03/19/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

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Then they turned again to the blind man, “What have you to say about [Jesus]? It was your eyes he opened.” The man replied, “He is a prophet.” . . . To this they replied, “You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!” And they threw him out.
John 9:17,34

Telling It Like It Is

The Pharisees were not wrong when they said to the blind man we meet in John chapter nine that he was “steeped in sin at birth.” They were simply telling it like it is. The Bible is clear on this point. What King David confessed about himself is most certainly true about all of us: “Surely, I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me” (Psalm 51:5). This man was no different. He was indeed “steeped in sin at birth.”

The problem with the Pharisees’ assertion, however, is that they were likely not willing to make the same confession about themselves. Like Jesus’ own disciples, these haughty religious leaders assumed that this man had been born blind because of some terrible sin his parents had committed in the past or some sin God foresaw in the blind man’s future. Surely, they thought, this kind of serious birth defect signaled some sort of divine punishment for wrongdoing!

But the wrongdoing revealed in these verses was committed by the Pharisees, not the blind man. And the blindness on display is not the physical sort; it’s spiritual. And it’s alarming. It’s not as if Jesus never showed the Pharisees that he was the long-promised Messiah, the very Son of God. He proved it over and over again. But their seething hatred for Jesus and his Word—yes, for the gospel itself—prevented them from acknowledging the truth. It prompted them to fight against it and to fall further under God’s judgment into spiritual blindness.

It was left to the formerly blind man to tell it like it is. When they asked him who he believed Jesus was, he answered plainly, “He is a prophet,” one who faithfully proclaims the very Word of God; one who tells it like it is.

And what message does Jesus have for sinners like you and me? Two words: “You’re forgiven.”

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, give me the strength to hear your Word and follow you always. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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.

Looking Like We Live In the Light – March 18, 2026

2026/03/18/in Devotions, Family Devotions

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For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Ephesians 5:8-14

Looking Like We Live In the Light

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Imagine this: A patient had just finished surgery. The nurse gently peeled off the bandages and told him to keep his eyes closed. Then she said, “Okay, slowly open your eyes.” Light poured in. At first, everything was blurry. But then, little by little, shapes became clear . . . colors appeared . . . and finally, he could see for the first time in his life! His world had completely changed.

We haven’t had that kind of surgery, but something similar happened to us spiritually. The Bible says: “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord” (Ephesians 5:8). That’s a big deal! We weren’t just in darkness—we were darkness itself. We couldn’t see how lost we were, and there was no way we could make ourselves see the light.

But then Jesus, the Light of the world, came into our hearts. He didn’t wait for us to figure things out. He shined his light on us, showing us that we are forgiven and loved. Suddenly, our hearts were no longer in darkness, they were full of light!

Now our lives are different, just like the patient who could see for the first time. The Bible says we should “live as children of the light.” Before, we only cared about ourselves. Now, we want to do what is good and pleases God.

That looks like:

Speaking kindly to others, instead of hurting them with words.
Helping others, even when it’s not easy.
Doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.

Why? Because we have seen the light of Jesus, and we get to live in it every day!

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, in you the darkness turns to light. Help us live as children of the light. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

A night-light helps us walk safely in the dark. How is Jesus like a night-light for our hearts and lives?
Where can we look to “find out what pleases the Lord” (v.10)? (Hint: think about a special book we read or listened to in church or at home!)

Questions for Elementary Age Children

Agree or disagree: The life of someone living in darkness looks different from the life of someone living in the light. Why do you think that?
What are some ways kids can make sure they keep living in the light?

Questions for Middle School and Above

Temptation sometimes tries to pull us back into darkness. When we mess up, what does Jesus want us to do to stay in the light?
Do you have friends who don’t know Jesus yet? How could you share the light of Jesus with them?

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Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.

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.

A Rulebreaker – March 18, 2026

2026/03/18/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

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They brought to the Pharisees the man who had been blind. Now the day on which Jesus had made the mud and opened the man’s eyes was a Sabbath. Therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. “He put mud on my eyes,” the man replied, “and I washed, and now I see.” Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.” But others asked, “How can a sinner perform such signs?” So they were divided.
John 9:13-16

A Rulebreaker

The Third Commandment could not be clearer: “Remember the Sabbath Day by keeping it holy.” But to avoid all confusion, God went on to explain, “Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work” (Exodus 20:9-10).

So, Jesus is a rulebreaker, right? He worked on the Sabbath! He made mud, put it on a blind man’s eyes, and told him to wash in the Pool of Siloam, all of which led to this man seeing for the first time in his life. Some of the Pharisees could not help but conclude, “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.”

This wasn’t the first time Jesus had generated a heated debate by healing someone on the Sabbath. From the earliest days of his earthly ministry, Jesus was causing his opponents to have serious bouts of consternation as they tried to square Jesus’ claims of being the Son of God and the promised Messiah with his apparent refusal to obey God’s holy law.

But was it a refusal? Hardly. It was a fulfillment! Jesus once explained, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27). His point was simple: of course, God wants us to honor him by resting from our labor at some point every week to hear and ponder his saving Word. But he also calls us to put his Word into practice by regularly demonstrating love for our neighbors in need. The Christian life is not an either/or proposition. It’s an everyday both/and way of life!

Our Savior never overturns God’s Word. Instead, he fulfills it. Perfectly.

Prayer:

Jesus, empower me to be like you more and more every day. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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.

Lent Devotion – From the Cross to the Grave – Week 4

2026/03/17/in Devotions, Womens Lenten Devotions, Womens Seasonal Devotions

When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”
Matthew 27:54

Surely

Roman centurions were not easily frightened. Yet the events surrounding the crucifixion and death of Jesus terrified the centurions who were guarding him.

At first, the scene may have felt familiar. “When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. And sitting down, they kept watch over him there” (Matthew 27:35-36). They may have laughed as they heard the insults hurled at Jesus as he suffered on the cross. “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!” (Matthew 27:40). Even the other criminals mocked him.

Then Matthew notes something that likely got their attention: “From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land” (Matthew 27:45). But it was the moment Jesus died that must have caused them to be terrified. “The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life” (Matthew 27:51-52).

If the guards remained at the cross near Jesus, they would have only heard about the temple curtain being torn or the dead people raised to life. But in the darkness, they felt the earth shake and the rocks split open as creation groaned at the death of Jesus. And they were terrified.

“Surely he was the Son of God!” (Matthew 27:54).

Was their exclamation a statement of faith?

Whether any of the Roman guards came to faith during Jesus’ suffering and death isn’t the point of the passage. It is certainly possible that they confessed saving faith in Jesus. On the other hand, it may have been a response to the supernatural events they had seen—a conclusion drawn in fear or wonder, not necessarily faith.

Another day is coming when some people will look to the skies, be terrified, and say, “Surely this is the Son of God.” The LORD has appointed that day. Today, some laugh at the mockery and insults hurled at Christianity. Others ignore creation as it declares the glory of God and “proclaim[s] the work of his hands” (Psalm 19:1).

In these days, as we await his return, God wants us to reach out to those who don’t believe. They may be sitting around or passing by. They may not be interested in spiritual things because of the darkness of their unbelief and sin. But they are on your path for a reason—and God is giving you an opportunity to build a relationship with them and talk with them about the forgiveness bought by the blood of Jesus. Tell people what Jesus has done for them and who he really is.

Surely, he is the Son of God.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, you are the Son of God. Your suffering and death paid for my sin, and I praise you for the gift of salvation. Help me always remember your sacrifice and the depth of your love for me. Fill me with your compassion to love those around me who are lost and hurting, and open my eyes to see the times I can talk about you as my Savior and King. Remind me that the day will come that everyone will know you are the Son of God—that every knee will bow as you usher in our glorious new life with you. Thank you for that gift of eternal life. Amen.

Written by Naomi Schmidt

Even Jesus Uses Tools – March 17, 2026

2026/03/17/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

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After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.
John 9:6-7

Even Jesus Uses Tools

My wife will tell you. I’m not handy. Putting a tool in my hands can be a dangerous prospect, because I’m more likely to make the problem worse, not better. Tools are just not my thing. With some household projects, it might be wiser to give me a magic wand to wave than a hammer to swing, since the best chance for success would have to involve some miracle.

Jesus doesn’t need tools to fix things. The Bible makes that abundantly clear. He’s God, so he can do what he wants and can fix every problem without lifting a finger or batting an eye. But here’s the thing: often, Jesus uses tools to accomplish his saving will.

We see that truth plainly illustrated in John, chapter nine. When Jesus encountered a man born blind, he could have given him sight without saying a word or moving a muscle. But he didn’t. Instead, “he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes.” Then he said, “Go, wash in the Pool of Siloam.”

What happened? John tells us that “the man went and washed, and came home seeing.” In other words, Jesus used tools—spit, mud, words, and washing—to accomplish the glorious task of giving sight to the blind.

And he does the same for us! No, Jesus may never need to give or restore our physical sight to us. But he longs to bless us with the spiritual sight of saving faith and to sharpen it daily. But he doesn’t do either of those things without using tools. Instead, he uses the water of Holy Baptism and the wheat and wine of Holy Communion, combined with his powerful Word, to create and sustain faith in his people. He could have decided to do it differently, but he doesn’t. He uses tools.

Which means what? That he would have us use those same tools. Through them alone, Jesus gives saving sight to the blind!

Prayer:

Jesus, inspire me to use your Word and sacraments faithfully and to share your saving Word with others. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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.

A Light in the Darkness – Week of March 16, 2026

2026/03/16/in Devotions, ECME Devotions

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I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them;
I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.
Isaiah 42:16

A Light in the Darkness

Several months ago, our city experienced a regional power outage. About 90,000 customers in parts of three states were without electricity for the second half of the workday. Our little preschool had to manage our pre-nap routines with only the dimness of the afternoon sun shining through our main windows. Using flashlights, we helped each child navigate the dark bathroom. Normally, a familiar situation, some children were spooked by the unexpected shadows on the walls and the eerie silence with the absence of our vent fan. The staff talked calmly to the children to lead them through their distress. The teacher was here. Nothing was going to jump out to get them in the strange darkness.

Isaiah illustrates a picture of spiritual darkness with images akin to a Grimm’s fairytale. A blind person struggling on an unfamiliar path. Darkness overshadowing rough places. It’s the kind of setting that makes one feel unsettled and distressed, like the children on that dark afternoon at our preschool.

And that is where I once was. I was once struggling on a dark path, afraid the shadows of things I could not see would jump out to get me. But this was no fairytale; I was truly on my way to hell. My sins snatched at my feet. My own arrogance blinded me. Death, the kind that lasts forever, darkened my path. To be sure, my soul was lost in the greatest sense of the word—lost in my sin and in my unbelief.

Only, that is where I once was. Had I remained in those circumstances, my pitiful body would be cast to hell with my soul. Then came Jesus. A light. Or, better said, the true light.

His light enables me to see spiritually. The light of Jesus’ grace and truth reveals the way to life eternal is through him and only through him. Jesus is the way to life—to true life. Life that is inconceivably full and forever. Daily, he takes my sins that trip me and with his own nail-pierced hands, he beats them to nothing so that my path is smooth. In Jesus, there is no strange darkness, no unfamiliar shadows, no rough places, and no fear. In Jesus, there is only light and comfort. By faith in him, I live in peace, confident that he is with me each day. By faith in Jesus, this is also true for you!

Prayer:

Dear Jesus,
May your word ever be in my heart so that your truth shines in my life. Thank you for being my light and my comfort!
Amen!

Early Childhood Ministry Educator’s (ECME) Devotions are brought to you by WELS Commission on Lutheran Schools.

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.

Sometimes the Unknown Is Better – March 16, 2026

2026/03/16/in Devotions, Family Devotions

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“For a long time I have kept silent, I have been quiet and held myself back. But now, like a woman in childbirth, I cry out, I gasp and pant. I will lay waste the mountains and hills and dry up all their vegetation; I will turn rivers into islands and dry up the pools. I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them. But those who trust in idols, who say to images, ‘You are our gods,’ will be turned back in utter shame. “Hear, you deaf; look, you blind, and see! Who is blind but my servant, and deaf like the messenger I send? Who is blind like the one in covenant with me, blind like the servant of the LORD? You have seen many things, but you pay no attention; your ears are open, but you do not listen.” It pleased the LORD for the sake of his righteousness to make his law great and glorious. Isaiah 42:14-21

Sometimes the Unknown Is Better

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Have you ever gone somewhere you’ve never been before? Maybe a new school, a new park, or a new friend’s house? Sometimes that can feel a little scary. When we don’t know where we are or don’t recognize anything around us, we might feel nervous. Most of us like places that feel familiar. We like to know where our favorite restaurants are, where our friends live, where we grocery shop, and where we go to church.

But sometimes going somewhere new turns out to be really great! Maybe your family surprised you with a trip to a theme park. At first you didn’t know where anything was—but then you found amazing rides and fun things to do! Or maybe you tried a brand-new restaurant and the food ended up being one of the best meals you’ve ever had. When something new turns out to be even better than we expected, the “unknown” doesn’t feel so scary anymore.

God once made a promise to his people in the Old Testament. He said, “I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them . . .” (Isaiah 42:16). God’s people knew what it felt like to walk on scary, unfamiliar paths. They had been slaves in Egypt. They had traveled through a hot desert. Their nation had been divided. They had even been taken far away to live in another country as exiles. That’s a lot of unknown places! No thanks!

But God had something better planned. God was leading his people on the most important path of all—the path to salvation. For a long time, the people didn’t fully understand how God would save them. It was still unknown to them.

Then God sent Jesus. He would lead people to their salvation, paving the way by his perfect life and enabling them to see their salvation, something they were too blind to see on their own. Without Jesus, we would be lost in the darkness of sin, like people who can’t see where they are going. But through the good news of the gospel, Jesus helps us see the way to God.

So sometimes the unknown isn’t something to be afraid of. In fact, the best news ever—the gospel about Jesus—was once unknown to us. And now it shows us the most wonderful path of all: the path to eternal life with God.

Thank God for opening our eyes so we can see it!

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, thank you for taking us down the unfamiliar path of salvation, which we could never have known without the gospel. It is better than we ever could have imagined! Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

Can you think of a time when you were nervous to try something new—like a new food, a new activity, or a new place—but it ended up being really fun? What happened?
Some people feel unsure or nervous about Christianity because they don’t know much about it. What are some ways we could show them that following Jesus is good and joyful?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

What does God use to help people learn about Jesus and salvation?
True or False: “The Bible teaches us how to earn our way to heaven.” Why is the answer true or false?

Questions for Middle School and Above

God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Which person of the Trinity works in our hearts to help us believe the good news about Jesus?
Agree or disagree? While a person needs the gospel to make salvation known to them, it isn’t because the message of the gospel is complicated.

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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.

The Way God Operates – March 16, 2026

2026/03/16/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

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As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.”
John 9:1-3

The Way God Operates

One of the greatest difficulties we have in understanding our Creator God is that we assume he operates the way we do. We are tempted to judge him and his actions based on our own faulty criteria of what’s right and wrong, good and bad. When we do that, he seems to come up short, and his ways remain mysterious.

But God explains time and again in the Bible that he operates on an entirely different level. His forward-thinking plans and pursuits do not naturally square with our sinful human logic, which is bound by time and immediate self-gratification. He says through his prophet Isaiah, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9). No wonder his ways are mysterious to us! But he’s not the one to blame; we are. We’re broken; he’s not!

We’re not alone in having to struggle with this intellectual and spiritual handicap. Jesus’ hand-picked disciples stumbled around as well, trying to understand why God does what he does and getting it wrong. For instance, they assumed that the man they encountered in today’s Bible reading had been born blind because either he or his parents had committed some terrible sin. But they were dead wrong. Jesus explained, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.”

Get that! God allows—even sends—painful suffering into our lives, and why? Because he hates us? No. So he can show us and others how powerful he is to save, now and forever.

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, help me to see how you graciously work all things for my good. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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.

Exactly What I Need: Sight – March 15, 2026

2026/03/15/in Teen Devotions

One key truth: By nature, we are spiritually blind and can only receive spiritual sight from Jesus our Savior.

I will lead the blind on a way they do not know. Along paths they do not know I will direct them. Ahead of them I will turn darkness into light and rough places into level ground. These are the things I will accomplish for them. I will not abandon them.
Isaiah 42:16 EHV

Exactly What I Need: Sight

Have you heard the phrase, “The blind leading the blind?” It’s what happens when someone who has no idea what they’re doing asks advice from someone who also has no idea what they’re doing. Not great, right? a If you can’t see, you probably shouldn’t be the tour guide.

What actually helps? Someone who can see stepping in to lead. Someone who can spot danger. Avoid obstacles. Keep you from walking into a wall. Get you safely where you need to go.

That’s the picture God uses in Isaiah. By nature, we are spiritually blind. We don’t naturally see how deeply God loves us. How serious sin is. How desperately we need a Savior. What path actually leads to life. On our own, we stumble around in spiritual darkness.

But God doesn’t leave us there. He promises to send someone who will lead the blind and turn darkness into light. Someone who will level rough ground. Someone who will not abandon us.

That someone is Jesus.

Jesus didn’t just heal physical blindness during his ministry. He opens our spiritual eyes. He helps us see that God’s love is real, our sins are forgiven, that his perfection counts for us so that eternal life is ours. He helps us see that even when life feels confusing or uncertain, we are not wandering alone. He is guiding. He is directing. He is steadying our steps. And he promises: “I will not abandon them.”

When life feels dark—when your future feels unclear—when you don’t know what decision to make—Jesus gives you exactly what you need: sight.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank you for opening my eyes to see your mercy and truth. Lead me in paths I do not know, turning my darkness into light and my confusion into faith. Keep me close to you, trusting that you will never abandon me. Amen.

Teen Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.

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.

Light in the Lord – March 15, 2026

2026/03/15/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

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You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.
Ephesians 5:8-11

Light in the Lord

If you get up early to go outside and wait for the sunrise, you know what it’s like to sit in darkness. Until the light comes, you can’t see anything because the darkness hides things, obscures things, and makes things impossible to see.

But then, just as you think the darkness couldn’t get any deeper, you finally see it. The horizon begins to brighten in the east, and dawn begins to break. The sun begins its ascent into the sky, and its light is now cast all around you. It’s a total transformation! Everything you couldn’t see before is now visible.

In the Gospel of John, Jesus says, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). Just as the sun breaks the darkness of the earth when it rises in the east each morning, Jesus has also broken the spiritual darkness that once covered our world and our lives.

Oh, what an impact this has on every single day of your life! In the darkness, you can’t see. But in the light, you can! In the darkness, you can’t function. But in the light, you can! Now, you can live as a child of the light. It’s a total transformation!

“Fruitless deeds of darkness” aren’t a part of who you are anymore because “You are light in the Lord.”

Prayer:

Lord Jesus Christ, you are the Light of the world, and you have made me light by bringing me into the light of your forgiveness, mercy, and love. Bless and keep me always as you give me the strength to now live like who I am by faith in you, my Savior. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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.

Live Today in Confidence – March 14, 2026

2026/03/14/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

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You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:6-8

Live Today in Confidence

This isn’t an easy part of the Bible to read. It says some very uncomfortable things about us. Here, the apostle Paul describes us as “ungodly” and “sinners.” Those aren’t pleasant descriptors. But unfortunately, they are accurate. And, because of our ungodly ways and our sinful thoughts, words and actions, our Maker could have let us die in those sins and be separated from him forever. It is what we would have deserved.

But instead, God chose to love us! Yes, in an amazing act of HIS will, he determined that he would come to this earth for you and me and all people, would live for us, would die for us. In an amazing act of his will, he determined to save us. In an amazing act of love, Christ came and died in our place. God has chosen to love us with the most amazing love ever.

So, you can live today in confidence, knowing that God is on your side, knowing that God loves you dearly!

Prayer:

Assure me that you have chosen to love me, dear Savior. Fill me with peace because of it. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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.

The Picture We Can’t Live Without – March 13, 2026

2026/03/13/in Devotions, Family Devotions

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Read: John 4:5-26

A Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.) Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.” John 4:7,9,13-15

The Picture We Can’t Live Without

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Have you ever heard someone say, “A picture is worth a thousand words”? It means that sometimes showing a picture is better than trying to explain it with words. For example, I could describe a famous painting for a long time but seeing it in person makes it so much easier to understand.

When Jesus taught people, he loved to use pictures like that to help them understand really important truths. One of his favorite pictures was water. Why water? Because we literally can’t live without it! A human body can only survive about three days without water. Water is essential for life.

One day, Jesus met a woman at a well. She had come to draw water to drink. Jesus used that every day, important water to teach her about something even more important: spiritual life. He said: “Whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (John 4:14). Jesus wasn’t talking about water you guzzle from a bottle that quenches your thirst for a little while. He was talking about the gift of salvation—forgiveness of sins and eternal life—something that lasts forever.

We all look for things in this life to make us happy. The woman at the well thought the right person in her life would make her happy. We might think games, friends, screens, or even AI will satisfy us. The problem is those things never fully satisfy us. They leave us wanting more. They leave us feeling empty.

Jesus gives us what we can’t find anywhere else:

Forgiveness when we foolishly look elsewhere for fulfillment.
Peace with God for the moments we need it most.
Eternal life to someday replace this life.

And the best part? He fully satisfies us with salvation! We don’t need to keep going back and trying over and over—Jesus already gives us everything we need. Jesus even gave us a picture of this truth: his cross. Look at it, and you see the gift of salvation, love, and forgiveness—all in one picture.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, thank you for helping me understand how important your gift of salvation is for me. May your gift always satisfy me and make me truly happy. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

What happens to a person who doesn’t drink water? How is that like what happens to someone who doesn’t know or believe in Jesus?
When you see a picture of a cross, what does it make you think of?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

Why was the woman at the well so surprised that Jesus talked to her? What does that show us about Jesus?
How is spiritual life like drinking water? How is it different?

Questions for Middle School and Above

Name three other things people sometimes look to for happiness or fulfillment.
Jesus used a normal, everyday thing (water) to teach a spiritual truth. Can you think of something in your life that could help you teach someone about Jesus? How would that look?

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Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.

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.

Water from a Rock – March 13, 2026

2026/03/13/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

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They said, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?” The LORD answered Moses, “Go out in front of the people . . . I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink.”
Exodus 17:3,5-6

Water from a Rock

If you grew up in a home like mine and you complained about your food, you heard your parents say something like this: “There are starving children in Africa who would love to have that food.” Whether the reasoning was sound, the point was that we should be thankful for what we had instead of complaining.

The temptation to be dissatisfied with what we have has plagued humanity for almost as long as this world has existed. But what if it is a basic need that seems to be missing? The nation of Israel was in the wilderness. No running water. No cool springs, pools, or streams to draw water from. We can live without food, but water is essential. Didn’t God care enough to provide?

But God wasn’t ignoring their need. With a miracle, he would show that he was the one who provided for them. He told Moses to strike a rock with his staff, and water flowed out of that rock for them to drink.

How patient God was with them. How patient God is with us. We grumble and complain; yet he patiently continues to provide just what we need every day.

The greatest gift he provides is another Rock. The Bible later comments on this time period and says, “They all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ” (1 Corinthians 10:3-4).

Jesus was always with them, and he is always with us, too. In his word of grace, he gives us the essential water for our spiritual lives. Through that living water that flows from Jesus, we are rescued from the wilderness we deserve because of our sins. And we are kept alive to dwell with our God, whose patient love for us always provides everything we need and more! Thanks be to God!

Prayer:

Jesus, forgive my grumbling and lack of trust. Pour out your living and life-giving water to quench my thirsty soul. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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.

Under His Care – March 12, 2026

2026/03/12/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

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Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.
Psalm 95:6-7

Under His Care

Imagine a shepherd who takes care of sheep. However, he is only concerned about making sure that they have food to eat. As long as the grass is growing in the field, nothing else matters. Or he only thinks about providing shelter. As long as the barn or the sheep pen is in good repair, he thinks he’s done his job.

Such a shepherd won’t be a shepherd for long. The sheep may be well fed but have no protection from wolves that want to attack. They may have shelter but lack the basic food and water they need to survive. No, that would be unthinkable. A shepherd needs to attend to all the needs of his sheep.

Today’s Bible verse invites us to worship the Lord because he is our Maker. Reflecting on all that we are and all that we have from the Lord who made heaven and earth leads us to joyful worship. But then he adds another even greater reason to worship. “He is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.”

The God who made us is the Shepherd who cares for us. Who better to care for us than he? He knows our needs, inside and out. He knows the diseases that threaten our bodies and our souls. He sees the wolves that want to attack and destroy us. He knows the nourishment our hearts need not only to survive but to thrive.

With his innocent life and death, Jesus crushed Satan’s power to accuse and destroy us, no matter what we’ve done. With the nourishing food of his Word, he feeds our faith to receive forgiveness and the life he won at the cross.

No, not a single need escapes his notice. Not a single need is beyond his care. He consistently, lovingly, and perfectly provides for all our needs. And he blesses us every day with one goal in mind—to bring us safely into his eternal pastures, where we will praise him forever.

Prayer:

God, my Maker and my Shepherd, I worship and praise you for your perfect love and care for me. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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.

The Price of Our Peace Has Already Been Paid! – March 11, 2026

2026/03/11/in Devotions, Family Devotions

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Read: Romans 5:1-8

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:1,6,8

The Price of Our Peace Has Already Been Paid!

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Do you like peace and quiet? If you have a little brother or sister, or a new baby in the house, you know exactly what I mean. You probably love it when everyone is calm and happy, right? But sometimes it feels impossible. Little siblings whine. Babies cry. And suddenly it seems like peace and quiet will never come back!

Jesus promises peace too—but not just quiet in your house. He promises peace with God—and that’s even more important. Here’s why: God is holy and perfect, and we are not perfect. The Bible says we are enemies of God because of our sins. Normally, enemies try to get peace by fighting until one side wins. But that’s not how we get peace with God.

Paul explains it like this: “Since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). “Justified” is a big Bible word that simply means: God says, “You’re not guilty!” He says we are not enemies anymore, no matter what wrongs we’ve done.

Think about your siblings for a minute. How do you try to make peace with them? Give them a snack if they’re hungry? Give them a toy if they’re bored? Let them take a nap if they need it? Sometimes that works. But sometimes it doesn’t! They might still cry, still fight, or still be unhappy.

Jesus didn’t leave peace up to chance. He wanted to guarantee it for us. Paul says: “At just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly” (Romans 5:6). Even though we deserved the punishment, Jesus took it for us. He defeated the real enemies: sin, death, and the devil. Because Jesus won, peace with God is now ours—forever! That’s why he’s called the “Prince of Peace!”

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, thank you for giving me peace with God that I couldn’t have on my own. Thank you for dying for my sins and defeating sin and death. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

How does it feel when two people aren’t getting along?
The Bible says that Christ died for the “ungodly.” Who does that include? (Hint: it means everyone!)

Questions for Elementary Age Children

Why can’t anyone earn peace with God on their own?
The Bible often says “grace and peace” together. Why do you think that is?

Questions for Middle School and Above

Can you think of a Bible story that you think does a good job of showing what real peace looks like? (Helps: Jesus calms a storm, Jesus’ birth—“peace on earth”, after his resurrection, Jesus greets frightened disciples, “Peace be with you.”)
During Lent, we remember that Jesus paid the price for our peace. How does thinking about that help us appreciate Jesus more?

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Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.

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.

Filled with His Love – March 11, 2026

2026/03/11/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

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We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
Romans 5:3-5

Filled with His Love

“What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” “No pain, no gain.” People say such things to encourage someone not to give up in difficult circumstances. It could be an athletic training regimen, a cancer treatment program, or just the emptiness that comes when we experience loss.

If you are like me, if someone says something like this, there’s a part of you that thinks, “That’s easy for you to say. You are not going through it.” Or you find yourself wondering if the suffering and pain are worth the possible gain you might receive.

Today’s Bible verses might sound like one of those “no pain, no gain” pep talks: “You are going to suffer, but keep your chin up. It will make you stronger and better in the end.”

But that’s not what St. Paul meant. Yes, he is trying to reshape our view of suffering, especially suffering because of our trust in Jesus. But it’s not about finding or forging personal strength by fighting through the pain and not giving up.

Instead, God wants our suffering to guide us in seeking answers and strength beyond ourselves. Our answers, our hope, our strength don’t come from a hidden reservoir inside of us but from what God himself pours into us.

The Bible says, “God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” God loves us unconditionally and knows our struggles, wanting to rescue us from them.

That’s why Jesus came, to suffer so that we don’t have to, to conquer sin and death because we couldn’t. Only God has the strength to overcome every trouble. Only he could love us enough to do just that. And his loving promises never fail. Filled up with his unfailing love, we can keep going with the strength he provides. We can press on, fueled by confidence in his unfailing love.

Prayer:

God, pour your love into my heart, that I can face every day with the hope that you give. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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.

Lent Devotion – From the Cross to the Grave – Week 3

2026/03/10/in Devotions, Womens Lenten Devotions, Womens Seasonal Devotions

The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people.
Matthew 27:51b-53

When the Ground Gives Way

Have you ever gotten a phone call that made the world stop? A piece of news so unexpected or difficult that it felt like the solid ground beneath your feet had suddenly turned to sand? In those moments, our carefully constructed lives are shaken, and we feel an overwhelming sense of powerlessness and fear.

On the day Jesus died, the whole world was shaken—literally.

It’s easy to read these words as just another dramatic detail in the grand story of the day our Savior died. But Matthew recorded this for a reason. The earthquake wasn’t a random coincidence. It was a sign of God’s awesome power and his righteous judgment against the sin-sick world that nailed Jesus to the cross. The splitting rocks declared that the hardest, most final barriers of sin, death, and the grave itself were being shattered by Christ’s sacrifice.

But God didn’t just show his power through destruction. He showed it through new life. This earthquake released “the bodies of many holy people” from their tombs. Think about that for a moment. These long-dead believers were raised at the moment of Jesus’ death. They served as a living, breathing embodiment of the promise of resurrection to all who believe. This was a tangible sign that Jesus’ victory wasn’t just a spiritual concept but rather a reality that broke into our physical world, defeating the enemy of death. The earth shook once more when Jesus’ body was raised from his tomb on Easter morning, and, at that time, these risen people walked into Jerusalem, providing living proof of Jesus’ victory over death for all time.

So, what does a 2,000-year-old earthquake and a handful of resurrected saints have to do with you and me today as we juggle work deadlines, pack school lunches, care for our families, and simply go about our daily lives?

Everything.

When your personal world is shaken by that scary phone call, deep disappointment, or any other earth-shattering news, remember the cross. The earth shook when Jesus died and rose once again so that your faith wouldn’t have to. The ground gave way beneath Jesus so that he could become our unshakable rock, our firm foundation.

And when you feel like you’re living in a tomb of grief, anxiety, or exhaustion, remember the resurrected saints. They are God’s promise to you. They are a glimpse of the final victory. Christ’s death and resurrection are for us, now and always. We look ahead with faith to the day he raises us to life through him.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for shaking the earth to show your ultimate victory over sin and the grave. When our own lives are shaken, anchor our faith to you, our unshakable rock and our firm foundation. Help us to live each day in the confident hope of the resurrection you have won for us. Amen.

Written by Alycia Cameron

WELS CENTER FOR MISSION AND MINISTRY

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Read: John 9:1-7,13-17,34-39

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The Price of Our Peace Has Already Been Paid!

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Filled with His Love

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When the Ground Gives Way

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