When you are troubled, when you are in despair . . . there is no more genuine, no more certain proof that Christ has given Himself for you than the Word that you read, the Word that you hear, and the Sacrament you receive.

This podcast can never be a substitute for in-person attendance at a local church. Click here to find a local church you can connect with! Find a Lutheran church near you!

Above all what John wants us to know from these words is this: when the disciples were confused, when they were fearful of earthly powers, when they were afraid that they might suffer the same fate at the hands of the religious leaders that Jesus suffered . . . when they were scared that what happened to Jesus might happen to them simply because they were identified with Jesus . . . Jesus shows up to give them the comfort that what has happened to Him will indeed happen to them.

Jesus appears to His disciples to demonstrate that yes, He had died, but now He lives. Jesus appears to His disciples to give them comfort. To give them peace. Jesus appears to His disciples to demonstrate that He has conquered death.

This podcast can never be a substitute for in-person attendance at a local church. Click here to find a local church you can connect with! Find a Lutheran church near you!

We are united in our common humanity, yes. But that common humanity is our fallen nature. It is our sinfulness. That is the one thing we all share. And for many people—all too many people—that is the tragic whole of the story. There is no possibility of being pleasing to God . . . not apart from the work of the Spirit. Not apart from the work of the Son.

This podcast can never be a substitute for in-person attendance at a local church. Click here to find a local church you can connect with! Find a Lutheran church near you!