Saving the Best for Last

Zion Lutheran Church Wausau WI

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Saving the Best for Last

The Second Sunday after Epiphany

January 14, 2024 • Pastor Johnson • Exodus 33:12–23, Psalm 67, Romans 12:6–16, John 2:1–11

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In our Gospel lesson for today Jesus performs what Scripture calls His first “sign.” What is a

“sign”? A sign is an act where Jesus manifests His glory as the only-begotten Son of God (John 3:16-18), and St. John’s Gospel includes seven of them. This first sign is quite remarkable: massive amounts of water transformed into massive amounts of wine. This, of course, will pale in comparison to Jesus, risen from the dead, transforming massive amounts of sin, indeed all of sin, into a massive heap of forgiveness, shared through the Church in Word and Sacrament.

For This Is the Will of God

April 21, 2024 • Pastor Gjerde • Isaiah 40:25–31, Psalm 147:1–11, 1 Peter 2:11–20, John 16:16–22

For a little while, the disciples did not see the Lord. When they saw Him again on that first day of the week, they rejoiced with a joy the world could not take away. Their joy is ours on this day. We also cannot see the Lord as we see each other, for we see Him even more clearly! In the proclamation of His Word and the breaking of the bread, He makes Himself known to us with crystal clarity as the font of all mercy and kindness for sinners, welcoming them into the kingdom of God.

Sheep in Wolve's Clothing

April 14, 2024 • Pastor Johnson • Ezekiel 34:11–16, Psalm 23, 1 Peter 2:21–25, John 10:11–16

Who are the “other sheep” to which Jesus refers in today’s Gospel? We know that Jesus had previously warned about false prophets, men who were likened to “ferocious wolves” in sheep’s clothing (Matthew 7:15). And prior to sending out the Twelve Apostles, a foretaste of later missionary ventures, Jesus likened their calling as being sent out “like sheep among wolves” (Matthew 10:16). If Jesus has come to reconcile all sinners to the Father by his blood and resurrection, could some of those very “wolves,” in fact, be “sheep”?

Witnesses Aplenty

April 7, 2024 • Pastor Gjerde • 1 John 5:4–10, John 20:19–31, Ezekiel 37:1–14, Psalm 33

Someone once described the difference between a dead and living person in this way: a living person can still surprise us. Jesus surprised the disciples following His death, confirming the truth of His resurrection. Still today He surprises the world, forgiving sins where the world would hold a grudge, reconciling enemies, giving hope to the dying, comforting the grieving, unleashing charity and acts of love, and nourishing countless souls in faith. Alleluia! Christ is risen!