Today's Reading: Small Catechism: Apostles Creed, Second Article, part 3 Daily Lectionary: Numbers 23:4-28; Luke 22:47-71 …that I may be His own and live under Him in His kingdom and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence and blessedness, just as He is risen from the dead, lives and reigns to all eternity. This is most certainly true. (Small Catechism: Apostles Creed, Second Article) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. These words in the catechism offer sweet comfort. They follow on what you read earlier in the explanation to the Second Article of the Creed. There you heard how Jesus is true God and true man. You heard that He redeemed you when you were lost in sin and condemned to death and damnation. Jesus purchased and won you from sin, death, and the power of the devil. He paid the price to set you free from condemnation. Christ has defeated the deadly enemy, Satan--you are free from his tyranny. All this Jesus did at the cost of dying on the Cross, shedding His blood to rescue you. He did this because He loves you. He wanted to make you His very own. He wanted you to have a life where you are protected and free to serve Him and others in His love. He rose from the dead so you will rise in Him. He lives forever so you will have eternal life. He reigns forever to be your King. He protects you from the evil in this world and brings you home to heaven. There are evil powers in this world. Satan is all too real. There are many people and institutions on earth that are influenced by him. But Christ your Lord is King. When Satan or the world intends evil against you, He protects you. It doesn't mean that everything that happens to you will be good, but it does mean that the evil end that Satan intends for you is thwarted. Christ can take even that and turn it to good. Stop for a moment and think about how amazing it is to be loved like that by God! How amazing that God would pay such a heavy price to rescue you in Christ. How amazing that He lives to watch over you, protect you, and give grace and peace to you--now and forever. You can know with absolute certainty that this is true, through God's promise in your Baptism and by His Word which is never broken. Christ is your King. Let us pray together that the Spirit will draw more people into the Kingdom of Christ while there is still time. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Almighty God, You have called Your Church to witness that in Christ You have reconciled us to Yourself. Grant that by Your Holy Spirit we may proclaim the good news of Your salvation so that all who hear it may receive the gift of salvation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch