Jesus Christ - For Us All
Today’s Verse:
John 3:16 ESV
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
Admittedly, our devotion over the past few days seemed less intense than usual. For some reason, the idea of exploring the differences between Lutheranism and Roman Catholicism crept into my mind. Over the past few days, we’ve been reflecting on what truly distinguishes these two Christian faiths.
However, the crucial aspect of our daily reflection on differences also centered on what unites us. As Christians, we all share a belief in the one Son of God, Jesus Christ, as our Lord and Savior. This is the essence of God’s gift to us during our Baptism. By the coming of the Holy Spirit, we believe that Jesus Christ, born of the Virgin Mary, lived his life solely to save us from eternal damnation by paying for our sins on the cross. Our Lord Jesus came from heaven to Earth for this singular purpose. From the beginning, the Father’s only desire was for us to be with Him forever. Our sins caused Him to promise to save us through His Son.
Christians believe this wholeheartedly. Regardless of whether we attend a Lutheran Church or a Roman Catholic Church, we are all on the same side. Of course, there are differences in the theology of the church—our prayers, our worship, our theology, the Sacraments, and the underlying meanings behind them. At the core of our lives, it revolves around Jesus Christ, Son of God, our Savior.
On this Friday, let us celebrate what we Christians have in common: Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. He was promised to us from the beginning. For us, He lives.
Prayers
A Prayer for Today:
Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, into this world to save me and my brothers and sisters in the faith. Thank You for forgiving our sins. And thank You for loving us. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
The photo above is licensed through Unsplash+