March 2015
TLH = The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941;
WS = Worship Supplement 2000;
SC = Martin Luther’s Small Catechism;
[ ] = Minor Festivals or commemorations in the Christian Church Year
Mar 2 Romans 5:1-11 WS 723
We can rejoice even in our sufferings because God’s love for us has been made obvious in Christ Jesus.
Mar 3 Mark 8:27-38 WS 722
Jesus the Christ was specifically chosen to suffer many things, be killed, and rise again in three days.
Mar 4 John 12:20-28 TLH 518:1-4
Many would believe in Him, and His Father would thereby be glorified.
Mar 5 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 TLH 354
So much of the world makes fun of the cross that it’s comforting to know it’s not really foolishness after all.
Mar 6 Genesis 17:1-7 PS 105
At age ninety-nine, Abram gets a new name to remind him that God’s promises never fail.
Mar 7 John 15:18-25 PS 35
Don’t be discouraged when the unbelieving ridicule your faith. Their ridicule only proves you are not one of them.
Mar 9 Exodus 20:1-17 TLH 154
God expects us to keep these commandments. Jesus hung on a cross because we do not keep them.
Mar 10 Galatians 2:17-21 TLH 289
We have been crucified with Christ, so we live by faith in Him and not by obedience to the Law.
Mar 11 John 2:13-22 WS 721
What gives Jesus His authority? His resurrection from the dead as the Son of God with power!
Mar 12 Mark 10:35-45 TLH 146
It is better to serve than to be served. No less than the Son of Man Himself demonstrated this.
Mar 13 Psalm 22:23-31 TLH 522
Praise God who raised Jesus after His suffering was completed—and who hears our cries for help, too!
Mar 14 Psalm 19 SC Lord’s Prayer
Every word of God is perfect, trustworthy, and glorious. Forgive my sin, O God, and let me follow Your voice.
Mar 16 Ephesians 2:1-10 TLH 157
You were dead in your transgressions and sins, but by grace you are now alive.
Mar 17 Numbers 21:4-9 PS 25
God’s mercy finds a way for sinful Israelites to live, and a pole with a snake foreshadows Christ’s crucifixion.
Mar 18 John 3:14-21 TLH 245
God so loved the world that He found a way to save it. Whoever trusts in Jesus shall not perish.
Mar 19 Deuteronomy 7:6-11 TLH 152
It was not because of your great goodness that God chose you, but because of His. So honor Him with a godly life.
Mar 20 Revelation 5:8-14 WS 757
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain for our transgressions; let every creature under heaven give Him glory!
Mar 21 1 Samuel 16:14-23 PS 150
[Birth of Johann Sebastian Bach] “The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul” (J. S. Bach).
Mar 23 Hebrews 5:1-10 TLH 220
Jesus is truly our high priest, for He was called to the office just as others (like Aaron and Melchizedek) were.
Mar 24 John 11:46-57 TLH 143:1-5
Caiaphas was right without realizing it. It is better for one to die than for all to die—when the One is Jesus.
Mar 25 Luke 1:26-28 TLH 84:5
[The Annunciation of Our Lord] Nine months until Christmas, and with Holy Week in sight we pause to trace the Christ from manger to cross.
Mar 26 Jeremiah 31:31-34 PS 32
The people can’t break the New Covenant because in it God’s promises don’t depend on the people at all.
Mar 27 Matthew 23:34-39 PS 119:9-16
The disastrous result of turning away from Christ is revealed, but so is His deep desire for our salvation.
Mar 28 Philippians 2:5-11 TLH 162
Jesus humbled Himself to the point of death, even death on a cross. Might you adopt a humble attitude, too?
Mar 30 Mark 15:1-47 TLH 140
“Ah! I also and my sin wrought Thy deep affliction; This indeed the cause hath been of Thy crucifixion” (TLH 140:3).
Mar 31 Genesis 50:15-26 TLH 378
[Commemoration of Joseph] Can God turn man’s wickedness to serve His purposes? He can and does. Consider Joseph. Consider Jesus’ Passion, too.