DEVOTION

All Sing: Hymn 478 – The Day of Resurrection

1. The day of resurrection!

Earth tell it out abroad,

The Passover of gladness,

The Passover of God.

From death to life eternal,

From sin’s dominion free,

Our Christ has brought us over

With hymns of victory.

3. Now let the heavens be joyful,

Let earth its song begin,

Let all the world keep triumph

And all that is therein

Let all things, seen and unseen,

Their notes of gladness blend;

For Christ the Lord has risen,

Our joy that has no end!

2. Let hearts be purged of evil

That we may see aright

The Lord in rays eternal

Of resurrection light

And, list’ning to His accents,

May hear, so calm and plain,

His own “All hail!” and, hearing,

May raise the victor strain.

4. All praise to God the Father,

All praise to God the Son,

All praise to God the Spirit,

Eternal Three in One!

Let all the ransomed number

Fall down before the throne

And honor, pow’r, and glory

Ascribe to God alone!

The Resurrection of Jesus, the Christ, is the greatest day in the history of the Christian church and the world. Easter is the culmination of the life and work of Jesus in his humanity. Because he died and rose from the dead, we who believe have eternal life with Him. “The feast day of Easter began as a pagan celebration of renewal and rebirth. When the early missionaries converted the Saxons to Christianity, the holiday, which fell around the same time as the traditional memorial of Christ’s resurrection from the dead, was merged with the pagan celebration, and became known as Easter”. Eastern Orthodox scholar of the Middle Ages, Caedmon Parsons says there is no conclusive evidence of a festival connected to the spring solstice. Parsons also states that “the presence of the word Easter is actually a product of the vibrant “Orthodoxy” of the Anglo-Saxon Church …Whether folk tale or true the pagan holiday was said to be a celebration of rebirth, and is an example of another change that takes place in every person who comes to faith in Jesus Christ. The pagan holiday was empty and lifeless until the Christ’s resurrection gave joy and life to the celebration. Resurrection eggs have become a popular way to illustrate, and teach the beautiful account of Jesus death and resurrection. We can use these twelve eggs to help us meditate on the blessings of the Easter celebration. We also remember to pray for our RMD LWML Mission projects.

Inside egg #1, a blue egg, we find a lowly donkey. Luke 19:30-31 tells us: “Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ tell him, ‘The Lord needs it.’”

Haiti is a poor country made even worse by the devastating earthquake it sufferd. Its people are poor and needy. Trinity/HOPE brings food to fed an average Lutheran school of 100 children that sustains their bodies but more importantly it brings the message of the resurrected Lord and freedom from sin’s dominion.

Inside egg #2, a pastel pink egg, we find silver coins. Luke 22: 47-48 tells us: “While he was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him, but Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”

Jesus experienced betrayal by one of his own disciples. Some of the young people who will benefit from Kings’ Camp Lutheran Valley Retreat have also suffered betrayal. Many have been in and out of foster homes for years. Pray that Christ will bring them over to a relationship with Him as Savior that they may sing eternal hymns of victory.

Inside egg #3, a lavender egg, we find the Passover Cup. Luke 22: 14-16 tells us: “When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table, And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.”

Fulfillment in the kingdom of God, was accomplished in Jesus. He desires that we all may have hearts purged of evil and see aright, including those ministered to in Developing Religioius Life Curriculum for God’s People With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilites. All who in faith receive Jesus’ body and blood, given and shed, for their sin experience joy and freedom. Let them see aright.

Inside egg #4, an orange egg, we find praying hands. Mark 14: 35-36 tells us: Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”

Jesus spent time alone with His Father as he prepared to suffer and die. He knew He would take on the sins of the world. The Lutheran Blind Mission began in 1994 to “encourage, train, and support blind people to be missionaries for Jesus”. Opening an Outreach Center, Ft. Collins, CO – Lutheran Blind Mission desires to provide a family of love and care to the blind through the blind who believe. Through the use of Braille and hearing, we pray all unsighted people “may raise the Victor’s strain”.

Inside egg #5, a green egg, we find a leather whip. Luke 22: 63-65 tells us: The men who were guarding Jesus began mocking and beating him. They blindfolded him and demanded, “Prophesy! Who hit you?’ And they said many other insulting things to him.

Recently we have seen upheaval in many countries in Africa. It is the second largest and second most populous continent in the world after Asia. Cultural, communication, and political barriers challenge reaching these children of God with His Resurrection Victory. Training Pastors for Gospel Outreach in Africa makes it possible to train native pastors in both French and English speaking Africa. These Pastors can live and work among peoples where they are more readily accepted, to preach the Gospel of Jesus. We pray for Rev. Glenn and Susan Fluegge as they work to develop curriculum for the seminaries in Togo and South Africa that all the earth may triumph in Resurrection joy.

Inside egg #6, a pastel yellow egg, we find a crown of thorns. Mathew 27: 28-29 tells us: They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand and knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said.

Often a world most in need of the Savior, mocks Him and those who follow Him. The need is great in our own district. God in His grace has established The Lutheran Hispanic Missionary Institute on the campus of Ysleta Lutheran Mission. To date 40-50 students have been instructed to reach out to the 25% of our RMD population that is of Hispanic heritage. We pray that all things seen and unseen may blend their notes of gladness to bring the joy that has no end to our Hispanic brothers and sisters who do not believe in the resurrected Lord.

Inside egg #7, a yellow egg, we find nails. Isaiah 53: 4-6 tells us: Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

“Now let the heavens be joyful, Let earth its song begin,” reads the hymn. Missionary Household Setup – Lutheran Bible Translators is the vehicle God has chosen for another beginning. Rev. Chris LaBoube still in training with LBT awaits his assignment in Ghana where he will begin work translating God’s Word to bring the Resurrection story and gladness to God’s children in Ghana. This grant will provide safe drinking water, electricity, sanitation – for a home poised to tell of Jesus.

Inside egg #8, a pastel green egg, we find dice for gambling. John 19:23-24 tells us: “ When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. ‘ Let’s not tear it,’ they said to one another. ’Let’s decide by lot who will get it.’”

The immigrant community of Ethiopians is 25,000 strong in the Aurora/Denver area. Many of these immigrants come from Orthodox or Muslim backgrounds, yet, because of the strong Lutheran presence in Ethiopia they are familiar with Lutheranism. Vicar Tomas Bayou desires to serve by launching Mission Outreach to Immigrants from Ethiopia (Aurora, CO). The day of resurrection! Earth tell it out abroad will be told in a culturally sensitive Christ-centered daycare setting.

Inside egg #9, a purple egg, we find a soldiers spear. John 19:34-37 tells us: Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. The man who saw it has given testimony and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe. These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken, and, as another scripture says, “they will look on the one they have pierced.”

In order for all the ransomed number to fall down before the throne the RMD-LCMS desires to expand outreach to cross-cultural and ethnic groups. A shortage of trained church workers equipped for this work and limited by financial constraints has necessitated alternative training routes through our synodical institutions. Through Scholarship Assistance to Students Preparing for Ethnic Ministry current and potential students from our RMD may be equipped to reach these groups with the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Inside egg #10, a cream colored egg, we find a linen wrapping. John 19:38-39 tells us: Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jews. With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away. He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. Taking Jesus body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen.

Every day thousands of un-churched college students pass by University Lutheran Chapel, Boulder, CO. In the past year 80 students have been touched through the ministry of this young and changing congregation. Who will reach out to these students with the Gospel message allowing the Holy Spirit to work in their hearts moving them to sing All praise to God the Father, All praise to God the Son, All praise to God the Spirit, Eternal Three in One? Let this congregation be bold for Jesus.

Inside egg #11, a rose colored egg, we find the stone sealing the tomb. Matthew 27: 65-66 tells us: “ Take a guard, “ Pilate answered. ”Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.” So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.

Our called church workers know the end to this story, Our joy that has no end, and have given their lives to teach the clear name of Christ. Many have served before the Concordia Plan was enacted in 1965, or their congregations could not afford to participate in the program. Upon reaching retirement with only Social Security or because of experiencing severe health problems, they have little or no financial means. Veterans of the Cross seeks to assist these workers.

Inside egg #12, a pastel blue egg, we find the greatest gift of all, an empty tomb. Matthew 28: 5-7 tells us: The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”

We are lead and trained by Pastors to confess our faith and reach out with the Gospel of Christ the Lord who has risen. Many of our Pastors leave their years of preparation at universities and seminaries with substantial debt. Often they have families and/or are second career students. In our district alone the amount of debt submitted in 2008 was nearly 1 million dollars. RMD-Debt Assistance Program assists pastors to alleviate the concern of paying off their educational debt so they may focus on the congregation and community to which they are called. They can announce to their congregations and the world: He is Risen, He is Risen, Indeed!

Prayer: All praise to God the Father, All praise to God the Son, All praise to God the Spirit, Eternal Three in One. Grant us continued freedom from sin’s dominion, hearts purged of evil, eyes that see aright and a heart for reaching out with your Gospel message to those who do not know you as the Risen Lord and Savior. Let our lives be beacons of triumph, gladness, and joy. Bless our chosen mission projects and the ministry of each one to serve you and ascribe to you all honor, power and glory. AMEN.