Come Quickly, Lord Jesus
Sunday’s Verse:
From Luke 21:28 ESV
(Jesus said) “Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
While Jesus and His disciples gaze at the glory of the Temple in Jerusalem, He tells them it will be destroyed (literally, "not one stone left upon another"). This came true in 70 AD when the Romans destroyed Jerusalem, including the temple. His audience is stunned because the Temple was the physical center of their faith.
Jesus further describes coming persecution and warns of disasters. False messiahs, wars, earthquakes, famines, and "signs in the sun and moon and stars" will come, but do not be afraid, He counsels, and do not lose heart. Persevere, and God will give you "wisdom that all your opponents will not be able to defeat.” Even when they betray and kill his followers, God will protect them.
In our day, we need to hear the same message. We see the persecution of Christians throughout the world. Each of us is challenged because of our faith in Jesus, and the bad people keep coming. Instead of slumping our heads and worrying about what's happening, let’s straighten up, as Jesus commanded. Let’s get our eyes focused on our Lord and His promise of eternal life. In this life, we’ll see and face challenges, but be happy - we’re saved through Jesus. By faith alone in the Son of God, we’re graciously granted forgiveness of our sins and eternal life to come.
Prayers
A Prayer for Today:
Lord Jesus, when headlines scream and our hearts grow faint, teach us to stand tall in Your baptismal promise. Turn our dread into disciplined hope, our panic into patient endurance. Come quickly, Lord—and until You do, keep us faithful. Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
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