Third Sunday after Easter – Monday

To this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that He might be Lord both of the dead and living. – Romans 14:9.

To what end has Christ redeemed us?  To this end, that we might be His own, and live under Him in His kingdom, and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness. Yes, that we might live in blessedness; to this end Christ has redeemed us.  For this is blessedness, that we are His own and live under Him in His kingdom, and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and – well, there it is: blessedness.  His great love for us, who were lost, moved Him to redeem us at so great a price, and to deliver us from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil, that we might be His own, and live under Him in His kingdom, and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness.

Perhaps you are thinking of all the dead who hoped in Christ, and now for years and centuries, yes, thousands of years have been lying in their graves; and you would ask how the merciful purpose of Christ was accomplished in them?  O my friend, death there makes no difference at all.  All the dead who have died, believing in Him, He has in His bosom, and He even keeps their dust; they are all His own; they shall all rise and live under Him in His kingdom, and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness, even as He is risen from the dead, lives and reigns to all eternity.  This is most certainly true.  “For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that He might be Lord both of the dead and living.” – O Christian, lift up your heart more and more to the risen Savior, who by His death has redeemed you at so great a price, and say to Him: “Lord Jesus, I am Thine, and Thou art mine, my Lord and my Savior.  Continue to give me more and more of Thy blessedness!”

PRAYER – Indeed, Lord Jesus, I am Thine, and Thou art mine, my Lord and my Savior!  With God’s blood Thou hast bought me from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil.  I want to continue to belong to Thee and to no one else until the end of my earthly stay.  I want to continue to live in Thy kingdom of grace and nowhere else until I am with Thee in Thy kingdom of glory.  I want to continue to serve Thee and no one else until I am with Thee in paradise. Amen.

Alleluia!  Alleluia!  Alleluia!  The strife is o’ver, the battle done;

now is the Victor’s triumph won; now be the song of praise begun.  Alleulia!

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Death’s mightiest pow’rs have done their worst, and Jesus hath His foes dispersed;

let shouts of praise and joy outburst.  Alleluia!

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Lord, by the stripes which wounded Thee, from death’s dread sting Thy servants free;

that we may live and sing to Thee.  Alleluia!

 (Hymn 210, st. 1-2, 5; TLH)