John 11:16 – This verse is the inspiration for the hymn, “Let Us Ever Walk with Jesus” {LSB #685} The Hebrew word from which
we get “Thomas” and the Greek word Didymus
both mean ‘twin.” We usually remember
Thomas for his doubting, but he was also capable to devotion and courage. Our
sermon hymn for tomorrow speaks of both aspects.
According to
our hymn, we live in a world "that would deceive us." We may not
regard the world as deceptive. After all, it is God's creation; He loves the
world and the people He made in His image. He made us His stewards, or
caretakers, of this earth. But this fallen world, with its many temptations,
can be very deceitful and, because of our sinful frailty, very often the
world's tempting voices "to sin our spirits lure." A consumer-driven
culture lures us to be dissatisfied and to place our faith in earthly
possessions. Yet the world is not entirely at fault; we share the blame. As the
apostle James writes, "Each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed
by his own desire" (James 1:14).
Our path
through life is not an easy journey, but our hymn has the answer: "Let us
ever walk with Jesus." In our walk of faith, we plant our steps in the footsteps
of Jesus, following His path as it is revealed in Holy Scripture. We know that
Jesus' steps led Him to the cross. There He suffered the penalty of death that
we deserved for our sins, for our every failure to resist the world's deceitful
temptations, for every failure to walk according to the Word and will of God.
Jesus died and was buried and, on the first Easter morning, the Savior's path
led out of the empty tomb. By God's grace, our steps follow the risen Lord.
Because in Baptism we are united with Jesus, buried with Him and raised
"to walk in newness of life" (see Romans 6:3-4).
Even as we
walk in newness of life, we will endure suffering. Like the Savior in whose
footsteps we follow, we must "with patience bear our cross." As the
hymn points out, our earthly walk is sometimes no laughing matter. Yet we walk
on and look ahead to the joy yet to come. We are on the road, "pilgrims
here, our home above." We are exiles on earth, but we know that joy will
follow. We "desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one"
(Hebrews 11:16b), the place where we will reap "celestial joy."
Bearing the cross, we walk with Jesus, "full of faith and hope and
love." Where our Lord leads, we will follow.
THE PRAYER: Lord Jesus, help me bear the
cross as I follow in Your footsteps. I look forward to the celestial joy that
will be mine when I live in Your presence forever. Amen. [2]
[1]
The Crucifixion, Schnorr von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS Permission to use these
copyrighted items is limited to personal and congregational use
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