“BREAD OF LIFE” READINGS MAY 2021
TLH = The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941; WS = Worship Supplement 2000; LSB = Lutheran Service Book, 2006
Date Hymns Reading Comments
May 1 TLH 633 1 Chronicles King David prepared his son Solomon for the building of the Lord’s temple. God’s house
28:1-10, 20-21 was important then and it still is today.
May 3 TLH 478 Zechariah 2:1-13 The Lord’s believers (His “Jerusalem”) enjoy His presence and His protection.
May 4 TLH 220; LSB 564 Zechariah 3:1-10 Although Satan tries to accuse us of sin, Jesus defends us by covering our sins with His righteousness, just as Joshua was given a change of clothes in Zechariah’s vision.
May 5 TLH 214 John 14:27-31 Jesus has gone to His Father, but He has not left us alone or without comfort. We are
comforted by the peace of Jesus’ forgiveness every day.
May 6 TLH 342 (LSB 611) John 15:1-17 Those who are connected to Jesus bring forth the “fruit” of good works in their lives. We especially know Christ’s people by their love for others.
May 7 TLH 472 John 15:18-27 We followers of Jesus won’t be treated well by the unbelieving world. But that’s okay
because it shows we aren’t part of the world’s unbelief.
May 8 TLH 636 Zechariah 4:1-14 Whether building up the temple in Jerusalem or building up the Holy Christian Church
throughout the world, both are done in the strength of the Spirit and not by human strength.
May 10 TLH 461 Zechariah 5:1-11 Those who practice wickedness and do not repent are excluded from the Church of God.
May 11 TLH 460 Zechariah 6:1-15 God will judge the world, but the Lord Jesus (the “Branch”) is our salvation and He will
build His Church.
May 12 TLH 227 John 16:1-15 Difficult days were ahead for Jesus’ disciples, but the Spirit of Truth would be with them
to guide them. Our trials as Jesus’ disciples are also eased by the Comforter.
May 13 TLH 471 John 16:16-24 When Jesus died, His disciples were sad and fearful, but when He rose and they saw Him
again they were joyful. Now we are sad and fearful, but when we see Jesus again we will rejoice.
May 14 WS 736 (LSB 633) John 16:25-33 By His death and resurrection Jesus has conquered for us all the evil and trouble that the world can throw at us. Hallelujah!
May 15 TLH 417 (LSB 703) Zechariah 7:1-14 While in exile, the people fasted and “acted religious,” but were their hearts really in tune with the Lord’s will? Watch that your religious activities flow from a repentant heart.
May 17 TLH 524 (LSB 734) Zechariah 8:1-23 The Lord’s delivering hand would bring about the release of Judah from exile in Babylon. Later, many throughout the world (including us) would cling to Judah’s God.
May 18 TLH 218 (LSB 494) Zechariah 9:1-17 All God’s enemies are brought to nothing, and our King, Jesus Christ, appears in order to save us from sin, death, and Satan!
May 19 TLH 464 (LSB 649) John 17:1-26 In this famous prayer just before His death, we see how much Jesus wants eternal life for you and me—and everyone.
May 20 TLH 142 (LSB 438) John 18:1-11 Of course Jesus could have escaped His crucifixion, but that would have ruined
everything. He was there to take responsibility for our sins, and that is exactly what He would do.
May 21 TLH 143 (LSB 439) John 18:12-40 One by one they all turn against Jesus. Annas, then Peter, then Pilate, then the whole crowd. Finally, we have all turned each one to his own way. The Lord laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
May 22 WS 756 (TLH 345) Zechariah 10:1-12 The Lord had brought judgment on Judah to reveal to them the depth of their sins, but He promised also to restore them so He could send them a Savior.
May 24 TLH 485 Zechariah 11:1-17 Wicked spiritual shepherds had contributed greatly to Judah’s downfall, but the Good
Shepherd (Jesus) would strike out against the false prophets until He too was rejected.
May 25 TLH 474 Zechariah 12:1-14 Judah’s inhabitants would find peace and security in Jesus Christ during His ministry, but they would also suffer the sorrow of seeing Him crucified, and they would mourn their sins.
May 26 TLH 144 (LSB 421) John 19:1-16 Pilate finally caved to political pressure and to protect himself he handed Jesus over to be crucified. May we stand firm when we are pressed by sin and not give in to the crowd.
May 27 TLH 165 John 19:17-27 Caring for His mother at the cross, Jesus not only honors the fourth commandment
in our place but also gives us a reminder of His love toward all His family (you and me included).
May 28 WS 722 John 19:28-42 The payment for our sins completed, Jesus declared His work finished. Proof of its
acceptance in heaven would be made public on the third day.
May 29 TLH 170 (LSB 452) Zechariah 13:1-9 The Lord promised to wash away the sin and impurity of the people. Ultimately, this took place when Christ was “struck” and crucified for sin.
May 31 TLH 469 (LSB 648) Zechariah 14:1-11 Just as the Lord fought for the salvation of His people long ago, He “fights for us upon the plain with His good gifts and Spirit.”