Theological Thursday

GOD REVEALS HIMSELF

"But God does not reveal His plan, He reveals Himself. He comes to us as warmth when we are cold, fellowship when we are alone, strength when we are weak, peace when we are troubled, courage when we are afraid, songs when we are sad, & bread when we are hungry."  Bob Benson, Men's Devotional Bible

JESUS HAS OVERCOME THE WORLD

"Hours before he was arrested, Jesus spoke to his disciples about the time ahead of them, days they would face without his physical presence. "In a little while," he said, "you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me." Reasonably, at his words the disciples were confused. "What does he mean by 'a little while'? We don't understand what he is saying." They grumbled in anxious fear. Jesus answered with something more than reassurance. To borrow a phrase from Madeleine L'Engle, it was a truth they could "hang their hat on." To their confusion and uncertainty, perhaps also to their fears of the worst and visions of the best, Jesus responded: "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." It was the last conversation he had with them before going to the cross."  Jill Carattini, Slice of Infinity

THE FOUNDATION OF OUR FAITH

"The resurrection of Jesus is the foundation of our faith. It proves that Jesus is the Son of God. It proves that His message is true. Jesus 'was delivered up for our trespasses & raised for our justification,' as St. Paul put it (Rom. 4:25). I believe it because I recognize that I am a sinner, & I hear in the Gospels & the rest of the Bible the voice of my Savior. I take great comfort in realizing that His witnesses did exactly as He wished: 'This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things, & who has written these things, & we know that his testimony is true' (John 21:24)."  Matthew Harrison, The Lutheran Witness, April 2020