Pr. DFD : May 2026

Saturday, May 2, 2026

Easter 6 Series A study notes

Acts 17:16–31

1 Peter 3:13–22

John 14:15–21

The Lord Jesus Comforts Us with the Preaching of His Resurrection

“The God who … gives to all mankind life and breath and everything” (Acts 17:24–25) wants all people to seek Him that they might “feel their way toward him and find him” (Acts 17:27). But in our sinful ignorance, we humans turn instead to idols “formed by the art and imagination of man” (Acts 17:29). Therefore, God appointed the Man of Righteousness, Jesus Christ, and “has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead” (Acts 17:31). Because He lives, we also live (John 14:19) in His forgiveness, and thus we love Him and keep His commandments (John 14:15). While the risen Lord prepares us for His ascension, He will not leave us “as orphans” (John 14:18), but He gives “another Helper,” the Holy Spirit, to be with us forever (John 14:16) through the preaching of “Jesus and the resurrection” (Acts 17:18). Because He “suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous” (1 Peter 3:18), we “honor Christ the Lord as holy” and are always “prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks” for the reason for our hope (1 Peter 3:15). Our Baptism “now saves” us “as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 3:21).

John 14:15–21

Jesus promises the Holy Spirit

15 Ἐὰν ἀγαπᾶτέ με, τὰς ἐντολὰς τὰς ἐμὰς τηρήσετε·

If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

16 κἀγὼ ἐρωτήσω τὸν πατέρα καὶ ἄλλον παράκλητον δώσει ὑμῖν ἵνα ᾖ μεθ’ ὑμῶν εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα,

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper,[a] to be with you forever,

Παράκλητον- Advocate, or Counselor; see also 14:26; 15:26; 16:7

17 τὸ πνεῦμα τῆς ἀληθείας, ὃ ὁ κόσμος οὐ δύναται λαβεῖν, ὅτι οὐ θεωρεῖ αὐτὸ οὐδὲ γινώσκει· ὑμεῖς γινώσκετε αὐτό, ὅτι παρ’ ὑμῖν μένει καὶ ἐν ὑμῖν ἔσται.

even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.

18 Οὐκ ἀφήσω ὑμᾶς ὀρφανούς, ἔρχομαι πρὸς ὑμᾶς.

I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.

19 ἔτι μικρὸν καὶ ὁ κόσμος με οὐκέτι θεωρεῖ, ὑμεῖς δὲ θεωρεῖτέ με, ὅτι ἐγὼ ζῶ καὶ ὑμεῖς ζήσετε.

Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.

20 ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ [h]γνώσεσθε ὑμεῖς ὅτι ἐγὼ ἐν τῷ πατρί μου καὶ ὑμεῖς ἐν ἐμοὶ κἀγὼ ἐν ὑμῖν.

In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.

21 ὁ ἔχων τὰς ἐντολάς μου καὶ τηρῶν αὐτὰς ἐκεῖνός ἐστιν ὁ ἀγαπῶν με· ὁ δὲ ἀγαπῶν με ἀγαπηθήσεται ὑπὸ τοῦ πατρός μου, κἀγὼ ἀγαπήσω αὐτὸν καὶ ἐμφανίσω αὐτῷ ἐμαυτόν.

Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”

-Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts, ‘The Resurrection of our Lord’© WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use

Friday, May 1, 2026

Saturday prior to Ester 5

[1]

John 6:32-35 – is the inspiration for the hymn “At the Lambs High Feast we Sing“{LSB 633}. The manna, which came from heaven, was from God. The Father still “gives” the true bread from heaven, which is life through His Son Jesus Christ. Who is this bread of heaven? Jesus answers for us in Vs. 35 “I am” the bread of heaven.

The disciples were encouraged to take a Siesta to “rest for a while” And in that rest the disciples were strengthened for the journey and their work. Where do you find this rest? You are do what the great physician describes today this very hour as you are taking time from your busy schedule and hurried lives to spend time with the Savior.

The body can literally shut down if it is not give rest. Man was created to be constantly on the go with any time set aside for rest. At creation the Lord established the 7th day for rest and reflection.

You are doing this each time you come to His meal. You are doing this each time you come to Bible class and in your prayer and devotional times. With the focus on the Savior you will be rejuvenated to continue on in the life and plan the Savior has for you. This is why you come to worship services; to reflect on the mercies and blessings the Savior has given to you. And what are these blessings? Forgiveness, life, salvation. Restrictions are being lifted so we can soon worship together. When you have that opportunity take advantage of gathering around Christ’s gifts of life and salvation.

There is forgiveness in Jesus Christ. All sin is forgotten and forgiven period! As the Savior traveled to the cross and rose from the sealed tomb He has won for us complete and total forgiveness from all our sin.

He gives us life. Life to be lived in eternity but also life which starts now! Because we are forgiven we are given the opportunity to live abundant and transformed lives. A forgiven life is what He gives us – living our lives blessing and forgiving others is our gift back to Him.

He gives us salvation. That’s nothing more than receiving the gifts of God with thanksgiving with thankful hearts we bless and worship God.

This world will continue to be filled with its own agendas, plans schedules and programs. When it appears that life has got you stressed to the limit when you can be stretch no further take a time out to be with the Savior. As your great physician He has written you this prescription; “Come unto Me all ye that are weary and heavy ladened and I will give thee rest. Take my yoke and learn from Me for I am gentle and humble in heart for my yoke is easy and burden is light.”

Heavenly Father, though we do not deserve Your goodness Your still provide for all of our needs of body and soul. Grant us Your Holy Spirit that we might acknowledge Your gifts, give thanks for all Your benefits and serve You in willing obedience; through Jesus Christ our Lord. [2]