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A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of [Jesus] and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”
Matthew 21:8-9

A Hero’s Welcome

When Jesus entered Jerusalem, a large crowd was waiting to welcome him. They spread their cloaks and branches on the road. They shouted joyful praise. They gave him a hero’s welcome. Yet, the question needs to be asked: Did they really understand why Jesus came?

It is a question worth asking ourselves. Do I see Jesus as a conquering hero? Do I see him as a long-desired king? Or do I see him as something more?

Yes, Jesus did come as a conquering hero. The victory he came to secure was not over an earthly enemy, however. His battle was against the devil, who sought complete dominion over us. His battle was against death and the grave, which desired to hold us in its gloomy darkness.

Jesus came as a hero to rescue us. He fought all the enemies that wanted to bring eternal destruction. And even though it meant giving up his own life, he secured the victory. Through Jesus’ precious work, we are free from the devil’s control and the fear of death. We are free from the power of the grave.

Jesus deserves a hero’s welcome for what he accomplished. He deserves even more for what he continues to do richly and daily. He also deserves honor, love, and praise as our Lord and King.

By faith, we acknowledge and live under his loving reign and honor and praise him for his victory. By faith, we can give him the hero’s welcome he deserves.

Prayer:

O blessed Jesus, I thank you for coming to rescue me. Fill me with love to trust you. Fill me with strength to follow you. Fill me with joy to praise you. 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.

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After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
John 13:5

Your King Serves You

There was supposed to be a servant there. Before the start of the Passover Feast, a servant should have taken water and washed the participants’ feet. But as Jesus and his disciples prepared to remember God’s deliverance of his people from slavery in Egypt, the servant was missing.

So, who would serve? Maybe Peter would take the initiative. He often was the first to act. Perhaps John, who was very close to Jesus, would sense what needed to be done, take up the basin of water and get to work. Or perhaps it should be one of the lesser disciples—the ones whose names we don’t know as well—maybe scrubbing feet would be a fitting job for “the other” James, or Thaddeus, or Simon the Zealot. But no one was willing to take on the task.

It was Jesus who took off his outer cloak, pushed up his sleeves, and went to work.

Bowing before each of those disciples, he poured water over their feet and scrubbed them clean, drying them with a towel he had wrapped around his waist—12 disciples, 24 feet, 120 toes, all scrubbed clean by Jesus.

Like the disciples, we too often prefer to be served rather than to serve. Having my feet washed by someone else sounds pleasant. Washing the feet of others doesn’t sound very nice at all. Sinful self-centeredness keeps us from seeing or desiring the opportunity to serve others, and by so doing, serving our Savior as well.

But not our Jesus. Without a shred of self-centeredness, the very next day, he would have his outer cloak removed and go to work once again by volunteering his life on the cross for fallen humanity. And through that sacrifice, he has cleansed not just our feet, but our lives, our hearts, our souls for all eternity.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank you for showing me your love in washing your disciples’ feet and washing away my sins. Help me serve you and others with a grateful heart. 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.

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See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
Zechariah 9:9

Your King Comes to You!

I once saw a king. I was at the hospital visiting my grandfather when suddenly a massive gold helicopter landed on the hospital’s helipad. I found out later that the King of Jordan had arrived for his cancer treatments.

But I didn’t meet the king. I only saw him from a distance, surrounded by many intimidating-looking bodyguards. If I had tried to approach, access would have been denied.

How different our King is! “See, your king comes to you,” says the prophet. Jesus would have just cause in keeping his distance from sinful humanity. There was nothing we could offer him that he already did not possess. The world is his already. He created and rules it. In fact, all that we could bring is what he does not desire—disobedience, selfishness, lovelessness—all the many ways that we fall short of what our King would rightly desire and deserve.

And yet look at our King! Jesus did not surround himself with a dozen bodyguards to protect him from the masses. Jesus didn’t keep sinful, fallen humanity at a distance. He came right into the midst of us. He put his hands on the sick and the broken. He put eyes on the sinners and outcasts. He offered his heart to all who were crushed by their guilt.

And then he did something about it. He came with his righteousness. It’s who he is and what he does. Everything is “right” about him. And he came bearing gifts—bringing salvation. The righteousness that you and I lack and could never obtain, he freely gives to us through faith in him.

And he still comes to us. Through the Word of God, Jesus still speaks, still loves, still guides us. He continues to come to us—drawing us ever closer to him in faith.

This is the greatness of our King—he desires to seek out sinners. And more than that, he came to save us. Praise God for the King who came in love.

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, thank you for setting aside your glory to save me. Keep me close to you through your powerful Word. 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.

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This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: “Say to Daughter Zion ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’” The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
Matthew 21:4-9

The Heavenly King Took Our Place

It is a sad reality that you and I sin against our God every day. Because we sin, we don’t deserve to be in heaven in the presence of God for all eternity. And the alternative is not pretty. But God loves us, his creation, and took action to change what we deserved because of our disobedience.

God, the ruler of all things, sent his Son, Jesus, into the world to be among us for a purpose. Instead of being an earthly king, Jesus lived a humble life and kept all of God’s laws for us. Then, even though innocent, he suffered and died for us. After three days, Jesus rose from the grave to show his power over death and the devil for us. Now you and I, by faith, can look forward to spending eternity in heaven because of our perfect substitute, Jesus.

Because of what our King Jesus has done for us, we can shout with the crowd on the first Palm Sunday, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” In our excitement, we exclaim, “Blessed is he who came in the name of the Lord!”

Prayer:

Jesus, may your Spirit work in me the joyfulness to praise you for being my substitute and assuring me of heaven with you forever. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.
John 11:43-44

By the Power of His Word

Does your word carry weight? Sure, there are times when I tell people to do things, and they do them. I can tell my kids to clean their rooms or do the dishes, and they will. I can tell my dog to get off the couch, and she will… sometimes. And yet, sometimes, it does not happen. The kids don’t always do their chores. And my dog defies what I have to say more often than not.

But when Jesus spoke, his word packed a punch. When Jesus spoke, amazing things happened. Once, when he and his friends were stuck in a furious storm, he simply told the storm to stop, and it did. There was another time when Jesus cast out some demons who were torturing a young man simply by the power of his word. And in our Bible reading today, we see that by the power of his word, Jesus raised a dead man to life. He simply told him, “Lazarus, come out!”

Why do Jesus’ words carry so much power and authority? It’s because he is the Son of God. He’s not just the head of a household. He’s sitting on a throne ruling heaven and earth. And what he says, goes.

That’s why I want to tell you about something else Jesus said. One of the last things he said, when he was dying, was “paid in full.” That’s what Jesus said about the sins of humanity—about your sins and mine. By his death on the cross he paid for them in full. He paid for them with his life.

Because our sins have been wiped out, you and I are sinless before holy God. And he sees us as his children whom he loves dearly, children whom he will welcome to our home with him in heaven some day. All by the power of Jesus’ word.

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, thank you for saving me through your death on the cross. May I daily draw comfort from the power of your holy Word. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”
John 4:10

If You Knew

Knowledge is power. When you know a problem, you can address it. When you have the background of a situation, you are better equipped to assess it and react appropriately. Proper education and training are essential for achieving objectives and goals within a given field.

One day, Jesus was talking to a woman in a village he was passing through. She had not met him before. Both his ethnicity and his gender as a Jewish man would have made a public conversation between the two of them culturally inappropriate at that time.

But Jesus was willing to work past those cultural norms. He began the conversation by asking her for a drink of water. When she responded with surprise and suspicion, what he said got her attention even more: “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.”

“If you knew…” But she didn’t. To her, Jesus was just a bold Jewish rabbi. But he was so much more. He was the Son of God who gave physical water its qualities that are so important for life. He was the Messiah, who came from God to quench the needs of thirsty souls with his grace, mercy, and forgiving love. He was the only one who could solve her deepest need and ours.

Jesus wants us to know him, too. When we know who he is, we eagerly come to him with every need of our thirsty souls, knowing that he will meet each one. He already has. By taking our sins on himself, he set us free from guilt. By giving his life for us, he rescued us from death. By rising from the dead, he gave us eternal life with him. No need is too great for him.

In the Bible, Jesus invites you to get to know him better. Then, knowing how he loves to bless you, turn to him in every time of need.

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, lead me to your Word to know you better and, knowing you, to come to you for every blessing. 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.

Listen to Devotion

The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.”
Genesis 12:1-2

Making a Name for Yourself

More than one has dreamed of it. Some have been lured by its promise. Others have cursed its lack of fulfillment. We call it many different things: “making it,” “success,” “winning.” Striving for it is as American as Mom and apple pie. It all comes down to making a name for yourself.

People have gone about it in different ways, from getting an advanced degree to destroying personal relationships. “How much do you want it?” seems to be the strategy of success.

Abram was already a success in the eyes of the world. He was married and wealthy. Then God changed everything. God promised Abram even more. God promised Abram a name so great that generations would remember it. Abram believed God’s promise, left his home, and went to a land he had never been to before.

God makes a promise to you, too. His promise is that your name will be great—maybe not here on this earth, but certainly in the roles of heaven. God will make your name great, too. How much do you want it? Believe in Jesus. Abram did. That’s the way God marks success.

Prayer:

Savior, may your promises fill my heart with eager anticipation to see your glory 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.