The Fifth Sunday of Easter, May 3, 2026

The Fifth Sunday of Easter, May 3, 2026

John 1:16-18

16 And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.

There is no grace in the law. Its demands never cease. Its accusation never quits. The law’s benefits always come conditionally… conditional upon our obedience. The law came through Moses, who ascended the mountain to obtain it. In contrast, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ, who descended from heaven in order to deliver them. Jesus Christ, the bearer of grace and truth, is the one who makes the Father known. The law does not make the Father known; it only reveals human guilt and pronounces the sentence: Death! The grace and truth had in Jesus Christ lift us out of that death sentence. Jesus brings grace and truth for all… for all without condition. God’s grace and his mercy work hand-in-hand, delivering life eternal to those declared undeserving… to those dead in their sin. The truth had in Jesus Christ is the truth of God’s faithfulness… his faithfulness to his people, even when they are unfaithful to him (2 Tim. 2:13). This faithfulness on God’s part inspired the Apostle Paul to preach it with boldness and confidence, nearly singing it with joy: “… [nothing] in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Ro. 8:39).

Prayers from those who scarcely believe the grace and truth that come through Jesus Christ…

Heavenly Father, even as we confess, “I believe…,” we must also pray, “Help my unbelief!” In this wavering faith of ours, fill us with Jesus Christ… with his life… with his faith so that our confidence does not rest upon our uncertain faith but upon the sure and certain promise that is ours in Jesus Christ. For Jesus’ sake, answer us, Lord!

Heavenly Father, as you have given Jesus Christ to be our life and our faith while this mortal flesh still clings to us, provide us with preachers of Christ, him crucified, and him alone so that your Son is handed over to be the life of dead sinners. For Jesus’ sake, answer us, Lord!

Heavenly Father, as you provide preachers so that we would hear time and time again of your unwavering faithfulness to us, whom you have called, grant that we would care for our preachers in their neighborly needs, pray for them that they would not cease their proclamation, and provide for their safety in times of persecution and enmity. For Jesus’ sake, answer us, Lord!

Heavenly Father, as we care for the preachers in our midst, grant that we would care as well for our other neighbors. Whether they be near or far, let the work of our hands be well-used by them and for their benefit. For Jesus’ sake, answer us, Lord!

Heavenly Father, as we care for our neighbors, grant that we would answer their need for a preacher even when it means that we ourselves must speak the Word of God to them. For Jesus’ sake, answer us, Lord!

Heavenly Father, you have set the Institute of Lutheran Theology in our midst, a neighbor dispersed around the globe. Grant that the work of our hands be a labor of love in building up its preaching and teaching so that another generation of preachers would be raised up. For Jesus’ sake, answer us, Lord!

Heavenly Father, as we expend the work of our hands for the benefit of our neighbors near and far, grant that we be satisfied with this labor and remain non-anxious and patient yet full of anticipation for that day when Jesus Christ will be manifest in all his glory. For Jesus’ sake, answer us, Lord!