Hold on! – April 12, 2023

Read: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11

By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you.
1 Corinthians 15:2

Hold on!

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

There once was a generous uncle who found joy spending time with his nieces and nephews. These children spent happy days on his farm where he taught them the value of hard work and joyful play.

One breezy day, he bought them each a kite and took them out to a field. After showing them how, he handed each of them a kite, smiled and said, “Now, hold on tight.” But one girl was distracted by all the beautiful kites around her. She let go. Her kite quickly caught a breeze and blew high and disappeared across the highway. As she watched her cousins happily playing with their kites, she was sorry she had not held on to hers. Her uncle was sad for her, but he did not replace her kite. He taught her another valuable lesson—we can lose things when we do not hold on.

In our Bible reading today, Paul writes to the Corinthians. He tells them to hold on tight. They are not to hold tight to a kite—he tells them to hold tight to the precious message he gives them. Paul preached the good news of Jesus Christ who died for our sins, rose from the dead, and then appeared to many people, proving he conquered death. Paul knew they could be easily distracted by others who seemed wise but were teaching things which were false. Would they listen to false teachers or hold tight to the truth?

God knows how easily distracted we can be. He had Paul write down these words for us so we would remember to hold tight to the gospel message. Like pretty kites swirling around us, worldly things tempt us to let go. We get so busy, and in our desire to not miss out on things—sports, school, friends—we let go of our time with God in his Word.

You see, if we let go of the gospel, we lose more than a kite. It’s possible to lose the life in heaven Jesus won for us. On our own, we will not hold on tight. So God promises to help us hold on tight. He sends his Holy Spirit who encourages us, “Hold on!” In his Word, in our baptism, and in the Lord’s Supper, we are strengthened to do it.

Dear one, listen to him and hold on!

Closing Prayer:

Dear Holy Spirit, you come to us in God’s Word and give us the strength to hold on to Jesus. Forgive us for being easily distracted and not holding tightly. May we always turn to God’s Word for forgiveness and new life in you. 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 would you do if you lost something important to you?
• How would you feel if you found it?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Name two things your family does to hold tight to the good news of Jesus?
• Why should you consider helping someone else hold tight to the good news of Jesus?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Name something in your that tempts you to loosen your grip on God’s Word.
• What can you do to make sure to not let go of Jesus?