by Higher Things, Inc.
Join HT for a reading of the days Higher Things Reflection. A short devotion directed toward the youth of our church, written by the Pastors and Deaconesses of our church, clearly proclaiming the true Gospel of Jesus Christ! Find out more about HT at our website, www.higherthings.org
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May 17, 2026
<p>May 17, 2026</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Today's Reading: </strong><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2015%3A26-16%3A4&version=ESV">John 15:26-16:4</a></p><p><strong>Daily Lectionary:</strong> <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers%2014%3A1-25&version=ESV">Numbers 14:1-25</a>; <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2018%3A18-34&version=ESV">Luke 18:18-34</a></p><p><br></p><p>“…now we cultivate the fear of God, justice, kindness, faith, and the expectation of the future given us through the Crucified One… The more we are persecuted and martyred, the more do others in ever increasing numbers become believers.” ~Justin the Martyr (100AD – 165AD)</p><p> </p><p>In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.</p><p> </p><p>Most of Jesus’ words to His disciples are intended to prepare them for His departure via the cross, where He would pay the cost of their salvation. In our text, Jesus’ words prepare His Apostles for their eventual crosses – the hour which is coming when, “whoever kills you will think he is offering a service to God.” (Jn 16:2) A significant portion of Jesus’ words to His disciples in all the Gospels are about the cost of being His disciple. (Matthew 10:38, 16:24; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23, 14:25-33).</p><p> </p><p>As His disciple, where is your cross? You needn’t go looking for it. You bear it marked upon your forehead and over your heart as given in the rite of Holy Baptism. When you were made God’s own child in that water and Word, you were made an enemy of Satan, and thus an enemy of this fallen world over which he rules (John 12:31). No one baptized, who stands upon the rock of Christ’s truth, is immune from the scorn of Satan or this world. That is the cross borne by you and all of God’s saints. </p><p> </p><p>Dying to yourself and to this world doesn’t have to mean martyrdom. Still, you face a world where Scriptural truth is despised, God’s created order is denied, and the truth of a merciful God is rejected. The cost could include the loss of friendships, family ties, the respect of your peers, and worldly success. So it is that, in our text, Jesus’ admonition likewise includes the promise that the Holy Spirit will be the immutable source of your Christian life and witness. </p><p> </p><p>“I have said all these things to keep you from falling away.” (John 16:1) Jesus’ admonition is a gift. When the world rages against you, you are not left alone. The Holy Spirit keeps your eyes fixed upon Jesus, who authored and perfected your faith, enduring the cross for the joy set before Him. (Hebrews 12:2) The Spirit continues to call you by the Gospel, enlighten you with His gifts, keeping you in the true faith, daily and richly forgiving your sins. The cost you pay of dying to this world is a pittance compared to the cost of Christ’s own blood, which has bought you and made you an heir with Him to eternity.</p><p> </p><p>In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.</p><p> </p><p>O King of glory, Lord of hosts, uplifted in triumph far above all heavens, leave us not without consolation but send us the Spirit of truth whom You promised from the Father; for You live and reign with Him and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Collect for Exaudi – The Seventh Sunday of Easter)</p><p><br>Rev. Jeffrey Ries, pastor of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tacoma, WA</p>
May 10, 2026
<p>May 10, 2026</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Today's Reading:</strong><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=%20John%2016%3A23-30%20&version=ESV">John 16:23-30 </a><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=%20John%2016%3A31-33&version=ESV">(31-33)</a></p><p><strong>Daily Lectionary:</strong> <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers%203%3A1-16&version=ESV">Numbers 3:1-16,</a> <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers%203%3A%2039-48&version=ESV">39-48</a>; <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers%204%3A1-8%3A4&version=ESV">Numbers 4:1-8:4</a>;<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=%20Luke%2014%3A25-15%3A10&version=ESV"> Luke 14:25-15:10</a></p><p><br>“The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the people of Israel: you shall say to them, The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. ‘So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them.’” (Numbers 6:22-27)<br><br></p><p>In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.</p><p><br></p><p>There was an unwritten code in my college dorm room kitchen. If you didn’t want someone absconding with your leftover microwave pizza or swiping those tasty homemade cookies mom sent you, you had better put your name on it. The name was a signal to my roommates. “This is mine. This belongs to me. This is something important and precious to me. Step away from the pizza!”</p><p><br></p><p>Something similar, though in a far greater and gracious way, is happening when the Lord instructs Moses to declare to Aaron and his sons His words of blessing. We call it the Aaronic Benediction because it was given by God to Moses. And from Moses to Aaron. And from Aaron to his sons, the priests of Israel. And from the priests to the people of Israel. </p><p><br></p><p>This benediction is more than a greeting, like sending someone a “get well” card or shooting off a quick text to your friend when they’re sick: “Feel better, bro!” </p><p><br></p><p>No. This is far better. For what the Lord says, he gives. What he promises, he delivers. When he tells Moses and Aaron to speak these words, his people are blessed as they hear them. The Lord’s words bring His blessing, grace, and peace even while they're being spoken. You see, when our Lord wants to preserve, protect, and bring his promise to someone or something, He puts his name on it.</p><p><br></p><p>The words and promises of this benediction are the Lord’s way of sending a signal to Moses, Aaron, to all Israel, and to you. Our Lord poured his liquid benediction over you on the day of your Baptism. By water, word, and the Spirit, God placed his Holy Triune name upon you. And now, whenever you hear these words of benediction, the Lord says to you what he said to Israel: “You are mine. You belong to me. You are important and precious and beloved in my sight. You are holy. And you have my word and my name to back it up.” “So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them.”</p><p><br></p><p>In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.</p><p><br></p><p>I the Lord will bless you and keep you And give you peace; I the Lord will smile upon you And give you peace: I the Lord will be your Father, Savior, Comforter, and Brother. Go, My children; I will keep you And give you peace. (LSB 922:4)</p><p>Rev. Samuel Schuldheisz, pastor of Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Milton, WA.</p><p><br></p>
May 3, 2026
<p>May 3, 2026</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Today's Reading: </strong><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2016%3A5-15&version=ESV">John 16:5-15</a></p><p><strong>Daily Lectionary:</strong> <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus%2020%3A1-16%2C%2022-27&version=ESV">Leviticus 20:1-16, 22-27</a>; <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2011%3A37-54&version=ESV">Luke 11:37-54</a></p><p><br></p><p>“Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.” (John 16:7)</p><p><br></p><p>In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.</p><p><br></p><p>He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! Alleluia! Amen. Jesus’ words to the disciples are incongruent with their thoughts about the role of the Messiah. In their minds, the Messiah was to come and free them from the bondage and rule of a tyrannical government. The children of God were to reclaim the glory days of David and Solomon. Now they hear these words of departure and preparation for the helper, the paraclete, to come. The words of Christ are not words of comfort in the ears of the disciples. </p><p><br></p><p>We are on a journey through the season of Easter, and as we traverse the Easter season, we are being made ready for the celebration of the coming of the Holy Spirit. The day of Pentecost is quickly approaching. The tongues of fire rest upon the disciples of Christ, and the Good News of salvation is spoken and heard in the native language of the hearers. The message of salvation for mankind is for everyone. </p><p><br></p><p>The arrival of the Holy Spirit does not mean that Christ is no longer with us. Many denominations teach that Christ is “only” at the right hand of God the Father. Churches across our country advocate that if you want to have a real relationship with Jesus, you need to “experience” Him. Experiential language is not the language of the Scriptures. The Scriptures teach that our Savior comes to us in the blessed Sacrament of the Altar. He comes to us as we receive His true body and true blood in the bread and the wine. In the sacrament, our sins are forgiven. In the sacrament, our faith is strengthened. We are sent out, sanctified by the Holy Spirit, to serve our neighbors in our vocations where we proclaim the death and resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ. </p><p><br></p><p>In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.</p><p><br></p><p>O God, You make the minds of Your faithful to be of one will. Grant that we may love what You have commanded and desire what You promise, that among the many changes of this world our hearts may be fixed where true joys are found; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. (Collect for the Fifth Sunday of Easter, Cantate)</p><p>Rev. Timothy Davis</p><p><br></p>
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Join HT for a reading of the days Higher Things Reflection. A short devotion directed toward the youth of our church, written by the Pastors and Deaconesses of our church, clearly proclaiming the true Gospel of Jesus Christ!
Find out more about HT at our website, www.higherthings.org
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