The Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries by Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour in Saint Louis, Missouri, United States [Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).] "On Faith" for Wednesday, August 24, 2016
Wednesday, August 24, 2016 Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen Me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."[John 20:29]
Some people say they can't believe in the Bible, or its miracles, or the Savior's life.
They say they can't believe until they see these things for themselves. Of course, using the logic which says you have to see in order to accept something, I wonder how many of these people have ever been to the Antarctic. Using their criteria, they would have to say, "Unless I stand on that cold slab of ice, and touch the snow, and feel the wind, I won't believe." I wonder how many of them have been to North Korea. If not, how do they know it's there? Have they ever seen their brain, their conscience, their memory? If they haven't, they ought to doubt they exist.
Of course, they're going to say, "I don't have to go to the Antarctic. I know people who have been there. I trust them. I put faith in their word."
To which I say, What was that last part? You take some things on faith! You believe some things because people you trust have told you? Good. Then listen to Thomas who, if he were here, would say, "I saw Jesus. I touched Him. The other disciples did too."
So, what is your response to that witness? Do you reply, "But Reverend, I don't know if Thomas and the others were telling the truth"?
This forces me to ask, what would they have to do to get you to believe the truth of their words? Would it help if I told you that rather than denying the resurrection of Jesus Christ, rather than renouncing the Savior who died so that all who believe on Him might live, they were willing to be martyred?
Around the world, all alone, they died, holding fast to the truth.
Tradition says one was clubbed to death; another was flayed alive. A number of them were crucified. It doesn't matter. They died because they believed this truth: Jesus Christ has risen, and all who believe on Jesus as Savior are forgiven and have eternal life.
But it is not just these people who died believing this truth. Millions of others have held fast to the truth of Christ's cross and the open tomb.
Jesus was their life, their hope.
He can be your Redeemer too.
By the Holy Spirit's power you can believe in the Savior's glorious resurrection. You can trust Thomas' words and his witness. You can believe with Thomas because he sealed the truth of this story with his death.
He could do no more.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, the world would have us question Scripture and the stories You have shared there. Grant we realize the truth of Your Word and the witness of those believers who remained faithful until death. May we always remember and believe that we are saved by Christ's sacrifice. This I ask in Jesus' Name. Amen.
In Christ I remain His servant and yours,
Pastor Ken Klaus
Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour
Lutheran Hour Ministries
Today's Bible in a Year Reading: 1 Chronicles 26-27; 1 Corinthians 15:1-28
1 Chronicles 26:1 The divisions of the gatekeepers:
Of the Korchim: Meshelemyahu the son of Kore, of the descendants of Asaf. 2 Meshelemyahu had sons: Z’kharyahu the firstborn, Y’dia‘el the second, Z’vadyahu the third, Yatni’el the fourth, 3 ‘Eilam the fifth, Y’hochanan the sixth and Ely’ho‘einai the seventh.
4 ‘Oved-Edom had sons: Sh’ma‘yah the firstborn, Y’hozavad the second son,
Yo’ach the third, Sakhar the fourth, N’tan’el the fifth, 5 ‘Ammi’el the sixth, Yissakhar the seventh, and Pe‘ultai the eighth; for God blessed him. 6 To his son Sh’ma‘yah were born sons who ruled over their father’s clan, because they were strong, brave men. 7 The sons of Sh’ma‘yah: ‘Otni, Refa’el and his brothers ‘Oved and Elzavad, valiant men; also Elihu and S’makhyahu. 8 These were all from the sons of ‘Oved-Edom, they and their sons and brothers, men of ability and strength for service, sixty-two from ‘Oved-Edom.
9 Meshelemyahu had sons and brothers, valiant men, eighteen. 10 Hosah, from the descendants of M’rari, had sons: Shimri the chief, for although he was not the firstborn, nevertheless his father made him the chief; 11 Hilkiyahu the second, T’valyahu the third and Z’kharyahu the fourth; all the sons and brothers of Hosah were thirteen.
12 These divisions of the gatekeepers, under their chief men, had duties, just as their kinsmen did, serving in the house of Adonai. 13 Great or small, they cast lots according to their clans for every gate. 14 The lot for the east gate fell to Shelemyahu. Then they cast lots for his son Z’kharyahu, a sensible adviser, and he was allotted the north gate. 15 ‘Oved-Edom was allotted the south gate and his sons the storehouse. 16 Shupim and Hosah were allotted the west gate and the Shallekhet Gate at the highway that goes up, with corresponding guards. 17 For the east there were six L’vi’im, for the north four a day, for the south four a day, for the Storehouse two and two, 18 while for the courtyard to the west there were four at the highway and two at the courtyard itself. 19 These were the divisions of the gatekeepers, consisting of descendants of the Korchim and descendants of M’rari.
20 Of the L’vi’im, Achiyah was responsible for the stores in the house of God and the stores of holy articles. 21 The sons of La‘dan, the descendants of the Gershuni belonging to La‘dan, the heads of clans belonging to La‘dan the Gershuni: Yechi’eli; 22 and the sons of Yechi’eli: Zetam and Yo’el his brother, over the stores in the house of Adonai. 23 Of the ‘Amrami, of the Yitz’hari, of the Hevroni, of the ‘Uzi’eli, 24 Sh’vu’el the descendant of Gershom, the son of Moshe, was in charge of the stores.
25 His kinsmen: from Eli‘ezer: Rechavyahu his son, Yesha‘yahu his son, Yoram his son, Zikhri his son and Shlomit his son. 26 This Shlomit and his kinsmen were in charge of all the stores of the dedicated things that David the king, the clan heads, the captains over thousands and hundreds and the commanders of the army had dedicated. 27 From the spoil won in wars they had dedicated these things to repair the house of Adonai. 28 Also included was all that Sh’mu’el the seer, Sha’ul the son of Kish, Avner the son of Ner and Yo’av the son of Tz’ruyah had dedicated. In short, if anyone had dedicated anything, Shlomit and his brothers were in charge of it.
29 Of the Yitz’hari: K’nanyahu and his sons were assigned to be over Isra’el in regard to outside business as officers and judges. 30 Of the Hevroni: Hashavyah and his kinsmen, 1,700 valiant men, had the oversight of Isra’el west of the Yarden in regard to all the business of Adonai and the service of the king. 31 Yeriyah was chief of the Hevroni according to their generations by clans. In the fortieth year of David’s reign the Hevroni were sought out, and there were found among them strong, brave men at Ya‘zer in Gil‘ad. 32 King David appointed 2,700 of his kinsmen, valiant men and clan leaders, as overseers over the Re’uveni, the Gadi and the half-tribe of the M’nashi for every matter pertaining to God and for the affairs of the king.
27:1 The people of Isra’el, registered according to their clan leaders, were drafted for army duty under captains of thousands and of hundreds, and officers serving the king, in divisions of 24,000 each, for month-long terms of duty covering all the months of the year.
2 Over the first division, for the first month, was Yashov‘am the son of Zavdi’el; there were 24,000 in his division. 3 He was from the descendants of Peretz and was in charge of all the army captains during the first month.
4 Over the division for the second month was Dodai the Achochi; Miklot was the chief officer of his division; there were 24,000 in his division.
5 The third army commander, for the third month, was B’nayah the son of Y’hoyada the chief cohen; there were 24,000 in his division. 6 This is the same B’nayah who was one of the thirty heroes and was over the thirty; his son ‘Ammizavad was in his division.
7 The fourth commander, for the fourth month, was ‘Asah’el the brother of Yo’av, with Z’vadyah his son after him; there were 24,000 in his division.
8 The fifth commander, for the fifth month, was Shamhut from Yizrach; there were 24,000 in his division.
9 The sixth commander, for the sixth month, was ‘Ira the son of ‘Ikesh from T’koa; there were 24,000 in his division.
10 The seventh commander, for the seventh month, was Heletz the P’loni, from the descendants of Efrayim; there were 24,000 in his division.
11 The eighth commander, for the eighth month, was Sibkhai the Hushati, from the Zarchi; there were 24,000 in his division.
12 The ninth commander, for the ninth month, was Avi‘ezer from ‘Anatot, from the Ben-Y’mini; there were 24,000 in his division.
13 The tenth commander, for the tenth month, was Mahrai, the N’tofati, from the Zarchi; there were 24,000 in his division.
14 The eleventh commander, for the eleventh month, was B’nayah from Pir‘aton, from the descendants of Efrayim; there were 24,000 in his division.
15 The twelfth commander, for the twelfth month, was Heldai the N’tofati, from ‘Otni’el; there were 24,000 in his division.
16 Over the the tribes of Isra’el:
leader of the Re’uveni: Eli‘ezer the son of Zikhri;
of the Shim‘oni: Sh’fatyah the son of Ma‘akhah;
17 of Levi: Hashavyah the son of K’mu’el;
of Aharon: Tzadok;
18 of Y’hudah: Elihu, one of David’s brothers;
of Yissakhar: ‘Omri the son of Mikha’el;
19 of Z’vulun: Yishma‘yahu the son of ‘Ovadyah;
of Naftali: Yerimot the son of ‘Azri’el;
20 of the descendants of Efrayim: Hoshea the son of ‘Azazyahu;
of the half-tribe of M’nasheh: Yo’el the son of P’dayah;
21 of the half-tribe of M’nasheh in Gil‘ad: Yiddo the son of Z’kharyahu;
of Binyamin: Ya‘asi’el the son of Avner;
22 of Dan: ‘Azar’el the son of Yerocham.
These were the commanders of the tribes of Isra’el.
23 But David did not include in the registration those twenty years old or less, because Adonai had said he would increase Isra’el’s numbers like the stars in the sky. 24 Yo’av the son of Tz’ruyah began a census of these, but he did not finish, and wrath came upon Isra’el because of this; moreover the number was not entered into the Annals of King David.
25 In charge of the king’s supplies was ‘Azmavet the son of ‘Adi’el. In charge of the supplies in the countryside, the cities, the villages and the fortresses was Y’honatan the son of ‘Uziyahu. 26 In charge of farmers working the land was ‘Ezri the son of K’luv. 27 In charge of the vineyards was Shim‘i the Ramati, while Zavdi the Shifmi was responsible for the produce from the vineyards for the wine-cellars. 28 In charge of the olive and sycamore-fig trees in the Sh’felah was Ba‘al-Hanan from G’derah, while Yo’ash was put over the storehouses for olive oil. 29 In charge of the herds of livestock feeding in the Sharon was Shirtai from the Sharon, while Shafat the son of Adlai was put over herds in the valleys. 30 Ovil the Yishma‘eli was put over the camels, Yechd’yahu the Meronoti over the donkeys 31 and Yaziz the Hagri over the flocks [of sheep and goats]. All of these were responsible for King David’s property.
32 Y’honatan David’s uncle was an adviser, a man of understanding and a secretary. Yechi’el the son of Hachmoni took care of the king’s sons. 33 Achitofel was an adviser to the king. Hushai the Archi was the king’s confidant; 34 and after Achitofel were Y’hoyada the son of B’nayah and Evyatar. Yo’av was commander of the king’s army.
1 Corinthians 15:1 Now, brothers, I must remind you of the Good News which I proclaimed to you, and which you received, and on which you have taken your stand, 2 and by which you are being saved — provided you keep holding fast to the message I proclaimed to you. For if you don’t, your trust will have been in vain. 3 For among the first things I passed on to you was what I also received, namely this: the Messiah died for our sins, in accordance with what the Tanakh says; 4 and he was buried; and he was raised on the third day, in accordance with what the Tanakh says; 5 and he was seen by Kefa, then by the Twelve; 6 and afterwards he was seen by more than five hundred brothers at one time, the majority of whom are still alive, though some have died. 7 Later he was seen by Ya‘akov, then by all the emissaries; 8 and last of all he was seen by me, even though I was born at the wrong time. 9 For I am the least of all the emissaries, unfit to be called an emissary, because I persecuted the Messianic Community of God. 10 But by God’s grace I am what I am, and his grace towards me was not in vain; on the contrary, I have worked harder than all of them, although it was not I but the grace of God with me. 11 Anyhow, whether I or they, this is what we proclaim, and this is what you believed.
12 But if it has been proclaimed that the Messiah has been raised from the dead, how is it that some of you are saying there is no such thing as a resurrection of the dead? 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then the Messiah has not been raised; 14 and if the Messiah has not been raised, then what we have proclaimed is in vain; also your trust is in vain; 15 furthermore, we are shown up as false witnesses for God in having testified that God raised up the Messiah, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, then the Messiah has not been raised either; 17 and if the Messiah has not been raised, your trust is useless, and you are still in your sins. 18 Also, if this is the case, those who died in union with the Messiah are lost. 19 If it is only for this life that we have put our hope in the Messiah, we are more pitiable than anyone.
20 But the fact is that the Messiah has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have died. 21 For since death came through a man, also the resurrection of the dead has come through a man. 22 For just as in connection with Adam all die, so in connection with the Messiah all will be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: the Messiah is the firstfruits; then those who belong to the Messiah, at the time of his coming; 24 then the culmination, when he hands over the Kingdom to God the Father, after having put an end to every rulership, yes, to every authority and power. 25 For he has to rule until he puts all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be done away with will be death, 27 for “He put everything in subjection under his feet.”[1 Corinthians 15:27 Psalm 8:7(6)] But when it says that “everything” has been subjected, obviously the word does not include God, who is himself the one subjecting everything to the Messiah. 28 Now when everything has been subjected to the Son, then he will subject himself to God, who subjected everything to him; so that God may be everything in everyone.
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