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It is a long-standing tradition in the world of the theatre that when players in a drama or musical are replaced for a given performance, the name of the substitute is inserted into the program or playbill. It is appropriate that the hard work of the understudy be noted by those attending the event. In the weeks of Lent, we focus on the truth that Jesus Christ was and is our substitute, fulfilling the Law of God for us and ultimately paying the price of our sin. He is much more than any kind of understudy! He is our Lord, who willingly takes our place and endures our punishment. In gratitude, we are drawn to the cross!

It is a long-standing tradition in the world of the theatre that when players in a drama or musical are replaced for a given performance, the name of the substitute is inserted into the program or playbill. It is appropriate that the hard work of the understudy be noted by those attending the event. In the weeks of Lent, we focus on the truth that Jesus Christ was and is our substitute, fulfilling the Law of God for us and ultimately paying the price of our sin. He is much more than any kind of understudy! He is our Lord, who willingly takes our place and endures our punishment. In gratitude, we are drawn to the cross!

The bread we bake in our homes or buy from the store is good for today. But by tomorrow, it may be gone. The gifts we receive in this world satisfy us for a moment; however, the gifts we receive in the promised treasures of God’s Word are gifts that are eternal. When Jesus describes Himself in John 6 as the bread of life, we know that He highlights for us His mission of salvation. As our bread of life, Jesus comes to forgive us, renew us, and lead us toward a meaningful life in relationship with Him. Let us taste and experience that life together this day as the Holy Spirit calls us to walk with Jesus and be satisfied by His presence among us.

Some of the central people in the Gospel narratives we get to know by name; others we do not. Although the man born blind is a major person in John 9, we never learn what his name might be. We meet his parents and his neighbors and we meet the Pharisees to whom he tells the story of the miraculous restoration of his sight. Although we do not learn his name, Jesus said of the man born blind that the works of God were displayed in him. As the One brightening our lives with the light of salvation, Jesus brings a new vision to our lives—an eternal vision of life with God that never ends. God knows our names. He directs the cross currents of our daily lives. In His light we see light—and that is what matters!

Some of the central people in the Gospel narratives we get to know by name; others we do not. Although the man born blind is a major person in John 9, we never learn what his name might be. We meet his parents and his neighbors and we meet the Pharisees to whom he tells the story of the miraculous restoration of his sight. Although we do not learn his name, Jesus said of the man born blind that the works of God were displayed in him. As the One brightening our lives with the light of salvation, Jesus brings a new vision to our lives—an eternal vision of life with God that never ends. God knows our names. He directs the cross currents of our daily lives. In His light we see light—and that is what matters!

Some of the central people in the Gospel narratives we get to know by name; others we do not. Although the man born blind is a major person in John 9, we never learn what his name might be. We meet his parents and his neighbors and we meet the Pharisees to whom he tells the story of the miraculous restoration of his sight. Although we do not learn his name, Jesus said of the man born blind that the works of God were displayed in him. As the One brightening our lives with the light of salvation, Jesus brings a new vision to our lives—an eternal vision of life with God that never ends. God knows our names. He directs the cross currents of our daily lives. In His light we see light—and that is what matters!

“Let there be light,” God said (Genesis 1:3). And there was light. Through the promised treasure of His Word, God keeps speaking to us. And because He does, there is light. Light from above! Light never-ending! Light that enlightens our way to life everlasting! Jesus Christ is this “light of the world” (John 8:12), the light no darkness can overcome. By His Word and Spirit, this light breaks through again today, enters our lives, and enables us to shine brightly for Him.

“Jesus Met the Woman at the Well” is the title of a traditional Gospel song first recorded in 1947 and made famous in 1964 through the recordings done by Ian and Sylvia, a Canadian folk duo, and Peter, Paul and Mary, an American folk trio. The words of the song recount the encounter of Jesus with the Samaritan woman. The woman was amazed that Jesus knew all about her complex and complicated life and still was willing to spend time with her. Jesus knows all about each of us and the road we are on—and yet He still remains with us and calls us His own. In worship, we spend a special time with Him. How blessed we are!

“Jesus Met the Woman at the Well” is the title of a traditional Gospel song first recorded in 1947 and made famous in 1964 through the recordings done by Ian and Sylvia, a Canadian folk duo, and Peter, Paul and Mary, an American folk trio. The words of the song recount the encounter of Jesus with the Samaritan woman. The woman was amazed that Jesus knew all about her complex and complicated life and still was willing to spend time with her. Jesus knows all about each of us and the road we are on—and yet He still remains with us and calls us His own. In worship, we spend a special time with Him. How blessed we are!

Some of the central people in the Gospel narratives we get to know by name; others we do not. Although the man born blind is a major person in John 9, we never learn what his name might be. We meet his parents and his neighbors and we meet the Pharisees to whom he tells the story of the miraculous restoration of his sight. Although we do not learn his name, Jesus said of the man born blind that the works of God were displayed in him. As the One brightening our lives with the light of salvation, Jesus brings a new vision to our lives—an eternal vision of life with God that never ends. God knows our names. He directs the cross currents of our daily lives. In His light we see light—and that is what matters!

Water is life. Water is everywhere. Not only isthistrue in the world around us, but it is also true in the Scriptures. Throughout the Bible, we witness our Creator giving us new life—cleansing, reshaping, even re-creating — through the water of the Spirit and through the living and active Word of Jesus. Today our attention is drawn to the promised treasure of the life-giving water that God uses to claim us as His children and unite us to His Son’s death and resurrection. With the Savior, who steps into the water with us, we “daily emerge and arise to live before God in righteousness and purity forever” (Small Catechism, Baptism, Fourth Part).

The pages of the Bible are filled with some very human people. In the appointed Readings of the Sundays in Lent, we encounter several. In today’s Old Testament Reading, we hear of Abraham, who followed the guidance of God faithfully to the land of promise. Yet in Genesis, we also read that when in a challenging situation in Egypt, he misrepresented his wife as his sister and profited from the deception. Nicodemus, to whom Jesus explained the Gospel in great detail, kept his association with the Lord a secret. Even at the time of the burial of Jesus after the crucifixion, Nicodemus labors with Joseph of Arimathea “secretly for fear of the Jews” (John 19:38). It is well that we are reminded as we confess in the Nicene Creed that “for us men and for our salvation” our Lord “was made man.” As imperfect and very human people, we are assured by the Spirit that we are loved by God, who knows us as we are, and that we truly are “precious in the sight of the LORD” in life and in death (Psalm 116:15).

The pages of the Bible are filled with some very human people. In the appointed Readings of the Sundays in Lent, we encounter several. In today’s Old Testament Reading, we hear of Abraham, who followed the guidance of God faithfully to the land of promise. Yet in Genesis, we also read that when in a challenging situation in Egypt, he misrepresented his wife as his sister and profited from the deception. Nicodemus, to whom Jesus explained the Gospel in great detail, kept his association with the Lord a secret. Even at the time of the burial of Jesus after the crucifixion, Nicodemus labors with Joseph of Arimathea “secretly for fear of the Jews” (John 19:38). It is well that we are reminded as we confess in the Nicene Creed that “for us men and for our salvation” our Lord “was made man.” As imperfect and very human people, we are assured by the Spirit that we are loved by God, who knows us as we are, and that we truly are “precious in the sight of the LORD” in life and in death (Psalm 116:15).

The pages of the Bible are filled with some very human people. In the appointed Readings of the Sundays in Lent, we encounter several. In today’s Old Testament Reading, we hear of Abraham, who followed the guidance of God faithfully to the land of promise. Yet in Genesis, we also read that when in a challenging situation in Egypt, he misrepresented his wife as his sister and profited from the deception. Nicodemus, to whom Jesus explained the Gospel in great detail, kept his association with the Lord a secret. Even at the time of the burial of Jesus after the crucifixion, Nicodemus labors with Joseph of Arimathea “secretly for fear of the Jews” (John 19:38). It is well that we are reminded as we confess in the Nicene Creed that “for us men and for our salvation” our Lord “was made man.” As imperfect and very human people, we are assured by the Spirit that we are loved by God, who knows us as we are, and that we truly are “precious in the sight of the LORD” in life and in death (Psalm 116:15).