Read: John 17:1-11

Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.
John 17:3-5

We Have Hope Through the Word

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

We all like attention from important people in our lives:

• “Mom, watch this!” the little girl yelled as she jumped into the water.
• “James is our 6th grade class president,” his teacher announced. When James heard that, he sat up taller, grinning from ear-to-ear.

The point is, we appreciate when someone notices us or pays attention to what we are doing or saying.

Did you know Jesus wants YOUR attention? He loves to be noticed, watched, and listened to. Why? It’s not because Jesus feels ignored by his Father or because he doesn’t have any friends. No, Jesus wants your attention because he has a very important gift to give you: eternal life.

The night Jesus was betrayed and arrested; he said a special prayer. It’s called his High Priestly Prayer. In that prayer, he prayed for himself, his disciples and for you. But even when praying for himself, it really was a prayer for you! Everything Jesus had been doing was everything his Father asked of him to win an important gift— the salvation for the world. Now, that work was almost complete. Just one thing remained. He needed to give up his life on the cross.

Jesus prayed the Father would allow him to continue this plan all the way to the cross so he would have everyone’s attention. That’s what he means by the word glory. Jesus wants your attention because he gives the eternal life you and I need.

We weren’t born with the built-in right to eternal life We were born separate from God and under his condemnation. God did not want that to happen, so he sent his Son to die and rise from the dead to win eternal life for you. Jesus did exactly that! Does he have your attention now?

He most certainly does. Give Jesus and his Word all your attention. They give eternal life! You don’t want to miss out on that!

Closing Prayer:

Ascended Lord and Savior Jesus, may I never lose my focus on you. Draw my attention to your Word where I can see your glorious promises and comfort that I am your child and will be with you in heaven forever. 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

• Why does Jesus want our attention?
• How could we say thank you to Jesus for giving us eternal life?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• What things in life distract you from paying attention to Jesus?
• Why is it so important that to pay attention to Jesus and our faith?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• It is not always bad to get people’s attention. How could you use your faith in Jesus in a good way to gain people’s attention for him?
• Read John chapter 17 on your own. We learn a lot about prayer from Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer. How does hearing Jesus prayed for you motivate how you pray and for what you pray?

Hymn: CW 173:2 – On Christ’s Ascension I Now Build

Since Christ returned to claim his throne, great gifts for me obtaining,
My heart shall rest in him alone, no other rest remaining,
For where my treasure went before, there all my thoughts shall ever soar
To still their deepest yearning.

 

Read: Acts 1:1-11

After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”
Acts 1:9-11

We Hope for Jesus’ Return

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

Kendall and Ryan watched in sadness as their mother brought her suitcase to the front door. It was a business trip. Kendall had experienced these before, but Ryan, who was only 4, didn’t like them at all. He worried his mom wouldn’t come home.

“Mom don’t leave! How do I know you will come home?” Ryan sobbed.

Ryan’s mom gave him a big hug and said, “I promise I will be back.” Then she handed him a box. Inside were five presents. “I want you to open one of these presents each day I’m gone, because each one will remind you how much I love you. The day you open the last one is the day I will be back.”

So Ryan opened a present each day to find a picture or reminder of his mom. After he had opened the last present on Friday, he sat at the living room window all day, waiting for his mom to come home.

Are you looking forward to Jesus’ coming back like Ryan waiting for his mom? Or, are you worried he is not going to come back? Or, maybe you haven’t even thought about it. We can get so caught up in our day-to-day lives that Jesus’ return is not even on our radar.

Jesus will come back because he has one piece of unfinished business: He needs you in heaven! That is why he came to earth the first time, to live, die, and rise from the dead so you could be in heaven. The only thing left is for Jesus to come back and bring you to heaven. When Jesus makes a promise, he keeps it.

He left you his Word, filled with all sorts of reminders of his love for you. He will be back, soon. You can count on it.

Closing Prayer:

Ascended Lord and Savior Jesus, you promised to return and take us to heaven. Fill us with greater trust in your promise to return so that we eagerly wait for you to return. 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 do you think will be the best part about heaven?
• Why do you know that you will be in heaven with Jesus someday?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• What special tasks did Jesus give us to do on earth while we wait for his return? (Hint: Read Acts 1:8)
• How can you make sure you are ready for Jesus’ return?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Jesus is coming back soon! Does that excite you? Or, haven’t you really thought about it? Why or why not?
• What gets in the way of staying focused on being in heaven someday? Consider ways to better stay alert.

Hymn: CW 173:1 – On Christ’s Ascension I Now Build

On Christ’s ascension I now build the hope of my ascension.
This hope alone has always stilled all doubt and apprehension;
For where the head is, there as well I know his members are to dwell
When Christ shall come and call them.

 

Read: 1 John 3:14-18

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.
1 John 3:16-18

Love in Action

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

Meet Bill. He’s a teacher. Bill has the amazing ability to see creative opportunities in his classroom no one else sees. He sees problems long before they even happen. He notices when a struggling student needs encouragement or extra attention.

But what good is Bill’s ability to see opportunities if he doesn’t do something? Or, if he sees the problems, but offers no solutions? Or if he notices when his students are up or down, but does nothing about it?

Today’s devotion is a lesson on love from someone who loved the most people, the most often, with the most passion. If you really want to know what love is, don’t look at Bill. Don’t even look at yourself. We know what love is. But it’s not always easy to show love, is it? What’s harder: to say, “I love you,” or, to live up to those words? What’s easier: to say, “That’s mine,” or, to let others be first before you? Loving the way God wants us to love is so hard—not because we can’t, but because too often we won’t.

God’s Word today urges, “Let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions and in truth.” The only way we truly know that kind of love is to see it in action. But don’t look at Bill. Don’t look at yourself. Look at Jesus. He laid down his life for all of our failures to love. Then he picked his life back up to keep showing his love for you every day. Jesus inspires us to keep loving others every day!

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

Closing Prayer:

Gracious Savior, give us your heart of love for others so that we always see their needs and use our gifts to help them. 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 find someone you love and say, “I love you”?
• What could you do for the person you just said, “I love you” to that would show that you love them?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Can you recall a time you felt unloved because of what someone said or did to you?
• Think of some common needs people have. What are some ways we can love our brothers and sisters in those needs?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Give several examples of Christians “loving” with “words or speech” but not “with actions and in truth.”
• Talk through specifics: how did Jesus practice what John preaches in verse 15, 17, and 18?

Hymn: CW 497:1,5 – This is My Will

“This is my will, my one command,
That love should dwell among you all.
This is my will, that you should love
As I have shown that I love you.

All that you ask my Father dear
For my name’s sake you shall receive.
This is my will, my one command,
That love should dwell in each, in all.”

 

Read: 1 Peter 2:4-10

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
1 Peter 2:9-10

God’s People Rejoice in the Way

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

The young man was trapped. Heat and smoke filled the air. Flames engulfed every door and window. Total darkness blanketed his eyes. Escape was not an option. All seemed hopeless. All seemed lost until, bursting through the wall, encircled by an angelic glow, an axe-wielding firefighter cried out, “I’m here to rescue you!”

Clearly confused, the young man politely responded, “Thanks, but I was hoping for a different way out of this deadly fire than you!”

How ridiculous! When it is life or death and there is only one way out, we do not look for other options. We do not complain about that way. We do not drop our shoulders and sigh, “I guess. If I have to.” We rejoice! We grab hold of that firefighter as if our lives depended on it—because they do! We cannot stop thanking this hero for risking his life for us.

Jesus is our hero. He is the way, the only way to heaven. The Bible is clear: there is no other hero. We cannot save ourselves, we are the problem. It is our sin that got us into this hellish danger in the first place! Jesus, however, is the hero and his rescue mission on the cross is complete. Heaven is your home.

Thank him! Praise him! Rejoice! You are not alone. On the safe side of your rescue is a whole company of angels praising God that you have repented and trusted in this hero, Jesus. On the safe side of your rescue is a whole crowd of fellow believers who have also been rescued by Jesus. He has come save us all! That guarantees this: he has come to save you! Just as he burst out of that tomb on the third day, he has burst into your life through the gospel and rescued you from your sin, death, and Satan. Rejoice in Jesus your hero—the way, the truth, and the life!

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

Closing Prayer:

Gracious Savior, help us to understand that our sins are serious and to appreciate the joy of salvation in the way you rescued us. 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 are some frightening situations you have been in?
• How does this devotion about our hero Jesus help you when you are afraid?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Look at the specific names Peter calls us in verses 9 and 10. Explain two or three of them.
• Describe different ways we can declare the praises of Jesus who rescued us from the darkness. Why would we do it?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Imagine a friend is struggling to believe that Jesus came to rescue her/him. How would you try to reassure your friend it’s true?
• Use some of the word pictures of verses 9-10 to encourage a Christian who says, “I don’t find any joy in my faith anymore.”

Hymn: CW 422:1,3 – Jesus, Lead Us On

Jesus, lead us on
Till our rest is won;
And although the way be cheerless,
We will follow, calm and fearless.
Guide us by your hand
To our fatherland.

When we seek relief
From a long-felt grief,
When temptations come alluring,
Make us patient and enduring;
Show us that bright shore
Where we weep no more.

 

Read: John 14:1-10

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6

God’s People Know the Way

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

“Detour,” the sign says. “Ugh,” says the driver. Dad has toothpicks in his eyes to keep them open after eight hours of driving. “This detour takes us way past our hotel,” groans the co-pilot. Mom’s mood will not tolerate any last-second adjustments. It was already a long road trip, but the destination is worth it: Disney World!

Any map app on a phone can instantly calculate a completely new route to your final destination whenever a detour rears its ugly head. It may be longer, but you will still get there.

When it comes to heaven, there are no detours or other ways. Jesus tell us, “I am the way.” Jesus is the way. No one comes to the Father in heaven except through him.

At first, this might seem a little bit nitpicky on Jesus’ part. After all, dad’s phone map app can find another route to Disney World! The truth is, without Jesus, we sinners would have no way out of this sinful world to heaven. The truth is that Jesus is the gracious way of God that freely gives us life eternal! The truth is that Satan, temptation, sin, and our own guilt try to lead us on every sort of detour—only these detours never end at heaven. They lead us away from heaven to a dead end called hell. Beware of detours!

Listen to the clear voice of Jesus: “I am the way.” Faith watches Jesus walk the path we could never walk to the cross, through death, and out the door of his now-empty tomb—all for us. When we face deadly threats along the way, faith hears the voice of Jesus promise, “Because I live, you also will live,” and our hearts are encouraged. When we feel lost along the way, faith hears the voice of Jesus promise, “I am going to prepare a place for you in my Father’s house,” and our course is corrected. When the way grows dim, faith hears the voice of Jesus promise, “I will come back to bring you there to be with me,” and our hope is renewed.

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

Closing Prayer:

Gracious Savior, thank you for opening wide the doorway of heaven to us through your perfect life, innocent suffering, and glorious resurrection. Give us faith to always stay on the way. 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 are some promises God makes to you when you go on a trip?
• What does God promise is waiting for you at the end of your journey in this life?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• What are some specific “detours” Satan tries to throw in front of us to lead us off the way?
• List some reasons why the destination of heaven will be far greater than the destination of any earthly vacation.

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Explain some ways the world tries to argue that there are many different paths to heaven.
• Jesus is the only way to heaven. How could a Christian also show that Jesus’ way, the way the Bible teaches, is unique and far better than the ways offered by other religions?

Hymn: CW 422:1-2 – Jesus, Lead Us On

Jesus, lead us on
Till our rest is won;
And although the way be cheerless,
We will follow, calm and fearless.
Guide us by your hand
To our fatherland.

If the way be drear,
If the foe be near,
Let not faithless fears o’ertake us;
Let not faith and hope forsake us,
For through many a woe
To our home we go.

 

Read: Acts 6:1-9, 7:2a, 51-60

But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”
Acts 7:55-56

Things Aren’t Always as They Seem

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

The runner was taking her sweet time. She wasn’t winning the race. She was right in the middle of the pack. But the rest of the runners didn’t know that she was saving her energy for the end of the race. With one lap to go, she used that energy to blast past all the other runners and win easily. To those who didn’t know her style of running, it appeared that she was losing for most of the race. It seemed like she didn’t stand a chance of winning. But she knew what she was doing. The whole time, she really was winning. Things are not always as they seem.

Stephen wasn’t afraid to share the gospel. That made some people so mad that they wanted him dead. Angry people dragged Stephen out into the streets where they picked up stones to throw at him and kill him. It looked like Stephen was losing. But things are not always as they seem.

Even while Stephen was facing his final minutes on earth, he knew that he had already won. Why? Because “the Son of Man [is] standing at the right hand of God.” Jesus, the Good Shepherd, had given his life for Stephen and Stephen, trusting in Jesus as his Savior, had the victory of heaven waiting for him. No matter what people did to him, he was victorious. He had life in heaven because Jesus already won for him!

Sometimes we may not feel very victorious. Maybe it seems like we are losing one race after another. Maybe we give into temptation and take our eyes off our Savior. Maybe the challenges of life make us feel like we’re losing and we’ll never catch up. But things are not always as they seem. No matter what happens on this side of heaven, no matter what challenges we face, no matter how much guilt we carry, Jesus, our Good Shepherd, has still won the victory for us. Through faith in him, heaven is still our home. Let us hold onto our Good Shepherd to the very end, until the day that we are standing side by side with him in the mansions of heaven.

Closing Prayer:

Heavenly Father, keep us faithful to you no matter what. Give us the faith to cling to you in the good times and the bad, confident that we will be in heaven with you forever. 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

• Why did the people want Stephen to die?
• How could Stephen be sure that he would be in heaven? How can you be sure that you’ll be in heaven?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• What are you looking forward to most about heaven?
• How is Stephen a wonderful example of faith for us?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Name one challenge and one blessing of staying faithful to God.
• Stephen was the first Christian martyr. The word martyr means “witness” but usually refers to someone who was killed for their faith. How was Stephen a faithful martyr or witness even when he died?

Hymn: CW 432:2 – I Am Jesus’ Little Lamb

Day by day, at home, away,
Jesus is my staff and stay.
When I hunger, Jesus feeds me,
Into pleasant pastures leads me;
When I thirst, he bids me go
Where the quiet waters flow.

 

Read: John 10:1-10

I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
John 10:9-10

Safe within Jesus’ Gate

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

“I am Jesus little lamb, Ever glad at heart I am; For my Shepherd gently guides me, Knows my need, and well provides me, Loves me every day the same, Even calls me by my name” (Christian Worship: 423). Some parents fondly remember holding their little infant in the middle of the night, tired and exhausted, but cherishing every second of quietly singing “I am Jesus little lamb” to the precious little lamb in their arms.

There’s something we love about the picture of Jesus, our Good Shepherd, and us as his sheep. It’s calming to imagine the sheep peacefully grazing in the pasture without a care in the world because the shepherd is caring for them. It’s such a peaceful picture because so often we don’t feel that peaceful. Sometimes life seems chaotic, as if every second of every day is a battle for peace. And that peace seems so distant. Wouldn’t it be nice to have the peace and serenity of sitting in the rocking chair singing, “I am Jesus little lamb”?

In God’s Word today, Jesus tells us that he is not just our Good Shepherd, he is our gate to peace. There is no way to the peace we long for apart from Jesus Christ. And here’s the best part, the peace that Jesus promises isn’t just some temporary peace that is here today and gone tomorrow, Jesus gives us a peace that lasts for all eternity!

There are so many people and things that try to steal that peace away from us: the temptations of the world, those who don’t speak the truth about Jesus, things that you think will bring peace but only make you feel better for a moment. The devil himself wants to steal the lasting peace that is yours in Jesus Christ. But through Jesus, our gate and our Good Shepherd, we not only have life, we have a full life! We have a life of peace and security. That doesn’t mean we won’t have struggles and challenges in this life, but we can face them knowing that our Good Shepherd has eternal peace waiting for us in the green pastures of heaven.

Closing Prayer:

Dear Jesus, our Good Shepherd, always keep us safe in your arms through the trials and temptations of this world until the day that we stand with you forever in the green pastures of 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 are two things that you know about sheep? Why do sheep need a shepherd?
• What are some ways that Jesus takes care of you, just as he promised?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Explain how Jesus is a gate for us, his sheep?
• List two ways that Jesus as your Good Shepherd brings you comfort.

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Jesus talks about “thieves” that try to steal the sheep. What kind of “thieves” might try to steal you away from Jesus?
• How can you stay safe from the “thieves” that might try to steal you away?

Hymn: CW 432:1 – I Am Jesus’ Little Lamb

I am Jesus’ little lamb;
Ever glad at heart I am,
For my shepherd gently guides me,
Knows my needs and well provides me,
Loves me ev’ry day the same,
Even calls me by my name.

 

Read: Acts 2:14a, 36-47

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

The Fire That Comes Through Water

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

When there’s a fire, how do you put it out? Depending on the kind of fire, you probably pour some water on it. Fire and water don’t usually get along. Once you pour water on fire, the flame goes out. Water is used in baptism. But in baptism, the waters of baptism ignite the fire of faith! In baptism, God puts his name on us and gives us the best blessings that he has to give: the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation. God gives us a new identity as his children—children of the Triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Perhaps you noticed that we started our devotion with these words, “Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.” Maybe your church service starts with the same these words. Do you know why? It’s a regular reminder of our own baptisms, that we are children of God.

Peter spoke of baptism in our Bible reading. It was almost two months after Easter on the day of Pentecost when Peter spoke the words of our lesson today. He shared some pretty tough words with the large crowd gathered there. He told them that it was because of their sins that Jesus died. He even went so far as to say, “You crucified Jesus, the Messiah.” Ouch. The truth hurt. They realized that they were guilty of sinning against God. So they asked, “What should we do?”

Peter pointed them to baptism. Why? Because in baptism we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. You see, when we are baptized, we personally receive the forgiveness that Jesus won for us on the cross. It is in baptism that the Holy Spirit creates faith in our hearts, and faith holds on to the gift of forgiveness like you hold onto a new present you are given Christmas morning. It’s like the Holy Spirit is lighting a fire with water!

If you have one of those days when you are feeling guilty, remember your baptism. If you aren’t sure whether or not God loves you because it seems like everything is going wrong, remember your baptism. If you’re worried, scared, or overwhelmed, remember your baptism. God made you his child in the waters of baptism and has opened heaven’s doors for you. Baptism is God’s gift to you! And this gift is yours—in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Closing Prayer:

Dear Triune God, we thank you for the blessing of baptism. Help us to always remember our baptism knowing that in you we are forgiven and we are your children now and forever. 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 do the words “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” remind us of?
• What day were you baptized? Do you or your parents have any pictures of your baptism day? Ask your parents about that day.

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• What is the gift of the Holy Spirit?
• Think of a time when you were feeling guilty about something. What comfort do you have from your baptism?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Can infants have faith? (See Acts 2:39 for help.) Why is it helpful for you to know that?
• In this devotion, we were encouraged to “remember our baptism.” What are some ways that you can remember your baptism if you don’t actually remember being baptized?

Hymn: CW 160:2 – This Joyful Eastertide

Death’s flood has lost its chill
Since Jesus crossed the river;
Lover of souls, from ill
My passing soul deliver.

Refrain:
Had Christ, who once was slain,
Not burst His three-day prison,
Our faith had been in vain;
But now has Christ arisen, arisen, arisen;
But now has Christ arisen!

 

Read: Luke 24:13-35

“They asked each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?’”
Luke 24:32

The Scriptures Set Hearts on Fire

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

“If I’ve told you once, I’ve told you a thousand times,” cries out the exhausted mom to the kids who just don’t seem to get it. She had told them to get ready for bed, but when she saw what they were doing instead, she thought she might as well have been asking the dog to cook dinner. It’s not that her words weren’t clear. It’s not that she forgot to tell them. The truth of the matter is the kids were just too busy with other things for any of her words to really register.

Sometimes it’s hard to really hear what’s being said, especially when your mind is on other things. And it’s not just the kids! Consider these two men walking on the road to Emmaus on Easter afternoon. They just didn’t get it. Jesus had to suffer, die, and rise again. It’s not like they hadn’t heard this before. The entire Old Testament had been pointing to this, but they were so preoccupied with other thoughts that all the things that God had been telling them through his Word just didn’t register.

But then Jesus talked. He stayed patient with them. He taught them. He reminded them of all the things that they had likely been reading in God’s Word since childhood. They began to understand. Then he broke bread with them, and they saw . . . they saw Jesus! They saw Jesus for who he is, the fulfillment of all the Scriptures. They saw Jesus as their hope for eternal life. Their hearts were set on fire! Not a real fire, but the Holy Spirit planted faith in their hearts through the Word, and that made it all register!

Sometimes, it can be hard for things to really register when your mind is on other things. And for families, the mind can be filled with a lot of other things—the upcoming birthday, schoolwork, bills, jobs, parenting, dance class, piano lessons, baseball practice, housekeeping, and the list could go on. But for just a few minutes, set that off to the side. Open the Scriptures together and hear the marvelous news of Christ risen for us! And while you do, know that the Holy Spirit is at work setting a fire in your heart and the hearts of your whole family. It’s the fire of faith!

Closing Prayer:

Holy Spirit, we thank you for working faith in our hearts through the Word of God. Continue to open your Word to us that the fire of faith may continue to burn in our hearts. 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

• Share one time that you struggled to listen to what Mom or Dad (or another adult) asked you to do.
• Jesus forgives us for all the times that we have not listened to his Word or we haven’t listened to our moms or dads (or other adults who care for us). Why can we be sure that we are forgiven?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Why did Jesus call the Emmaus disciples “foolish” and “slow of heart to believe”?
• Instead of getting mad at them, what did Jesus do for these “foolish” disciples?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Explain what it means that the disciples’ “hearts were burning within them.” What (and/or who) caused this “heartburn”?
• Does God’s Word work in our hearts even if we don’t feel it? Explain.

Hymn: CW 160:1 – This Joyful Eastertide

This joyful Eastertide,
Away with sin and sorrow!
My Love, the Crucified,
Has sprung to life this morrow.

Refrain:
Had Christ, who once was slain,
Not burst His three-day prison,
Our faith had been in vain;
But now has Christ arisen, arisen, arisen;
But now has Christ arisen!

 

Read: Acts 2:14a, 22-32

Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay. God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it.
Acts 2:31-32

Proof of our Peace

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

“No way! Not possible! I’ll believe it when I see it,” said Tom. Eric insisted that the story was true. “Really. The fish was over three feet long and over 100 pounds. Really!” But Tom refused to believe it. “I’ve never heard of a fish that big in that lake. Do you have any proof? A picture? A selfie? Did anyone else see this?” Eric was so frustrated! He had left his phone in the car that day, and he was fishing by himself. How would Tom ever believe his awesome story and share in his fishy-joy?

People today question the truth often. “No way! Where’s the proof? I’ll believe it when I see it.” Sadly, so many people lie, cheat, and deceive that it’s hard to believe any story these days unless there are witnesses or proof that can back up the story.

In the same way, many people today—and many people long ago—do not believe the story of Jesus rising from the dead. “No way! Not possible! Where’s the proof?” What are we to make of this story? Is it the truth? Or is it just another “fishing story” that has lots of entertainment but little truth?

Dear Christians, not to worry! Jesus’ resurrection is a true story and there is a lot of proof of this. Today we hear a little part of Peter’s famous sermon on the great day of Pentecost. Many people were questioning the disciples and the Easter story. But Peter gives us three great reasons why we can believe that Jesus really is alive.

First, God prophesied through King David that the Savior would rise from the dead, and Jesus fulfilled those promises. Second, we know that Jesus fulfilled those promises because his tomb is empty. Third, we know for sure that the tomb is empty (and it’s not just a trick) because many people—like Peter—were eyewitnesses who saw Jesus alive. In fact, the Bible tells us that more than 500 people saw Jesus after he rose from the dead!

What wonderful news! The most important story of all time is also a true story. Because that story is true, that also means that truly you are forgiven, you are a child of God, and you will go to heaven. Those facts are most certainly true because the Easter story is true. Jesus lives, and so will you—truly! Rejoice!

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

Closing Prayer:

Risen Savior, your empty tomb is proof that I will also rise to life. Your eyewitnesses also give proof that you are alive. Now help me to be a witness who shares this truth with others. 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 do we know for sure that Jesus is alive?
• What people do you want to tell the good news of Jesus to?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• What does it mean if you “doubt” something? What does it mean if you “believe” something?
• Why do you think many people back then or even now today doubt that Jesus rose from the dead?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Why was it important for Jesus to appear alive to more than just a couple people?
• Explain why Jesus’ resurrection proves he is who he claims to be and that Christianity is the one true religion.

Hymn: CW #165 – O Sons and Daughters of the King

O sons and daughters of the King,
Whom heav’nly hosts in glory sing,
Today the grave has lost its sting!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

On this most holy day of days
To God your hearts and voices raise
In laud and jubilee and praise.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!