Download LifeDate Summer 2025 – Every Life Is a Story
by Rev. Paul Clark, Lutherans For Life of Michigan
It has been said, “You never know where you are going until you have been there.” Sometimes, the path of life takes a startling turn.
The frightened young woman who finds herself unexpectedly pregnant knows that. The husband or wife who endures increasing strain and struggle in looking after a spouse with dementia knows that. A person who has just received a terminal cancer diagnosis knows that.
Peter knew that, too. He thought he would just spend an ordinary night doing his usual work as a fisherman. But though they fished all night long, they caught nothing. It was at daybreak when things took a very unexpected turn.
The resurrected Jesus called to them from the shore.
At first, they don’t even recognize Him. Only when Jesus tells them to cast their nets to the right side of the boat, followed by pulling in the net full of fish, do they realize who it is.
“It is the Lord!”
John says to Peter in great joy, as typically impulsive Peter plunges into the water and swims quickly to shore, leaving the other disciples to drag in the heavy load of fish—153 in all.
And then, what does Jesus do? He sits and eats with them.
Jesus is with us still. He has given us His promise. He will abide with us always—in His Word, in Holy Baptism, and in the Holy Supper. Thus, we know that our risen Lord is always present with His abundant grace and mercy.
And so, our life finds its meaning in Him. Our path is directed by Him. Our future is secure in Him. Though life may take a very unexpected turn, whether with a pregnancy, an illness, depression, or sudden loss, there is hope, there is peace, and there is comfort in the compassion and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who loved us and gave Himself for us.
It is only the BLOOD OF THE LAMB that can take away the sin of the world. Whether the sin of aborting one’s child, or the sin of remaining silent and not speaking on behalf of our unborn children; whether the sin of neglecting an aging parent, or even—God forbid—encouraging them to consider physician-assisted suicide as an option; whether the sin of apathy toward the gross evil and immorality in the world—turn to Jesus! There is forgiveness to be found for every sin, but it is only found in Jesus. Only in that holy blood, shed for us on the cross, do we find the antidote for the poison of sin. AND NOW CHRIST IS RISEN. He is for us, and He is with us, exactly where He promised to be, in His Church through His Word and Sacraments.
The Lord, who rose from the tomb, having conquered death and hell, is now with us always. That is the blessed message of Easter!
In Australia, on the tomb of the Lutheran theologian Hermann Sasse are engraved these words in Latin:
“Tuis Fidelibus, Domine, Vita Mutator, Non Tollitur.”
That translates as “To Your Faithful, O Lord, Life Is Changed, Not Taken Away.”
Your life is now changed in Christ. No matter what you have done, or where you have been, in Christ, your life is changed. The risen Jesus intercepts you on your journey. In the waters of Holy Baptism, He splashed you with His saving blood. You are given new life. When you die, death will not take that life away. The grave will not hold you. Your body will be raised. It will be changed. It will be glorified.
Thus, we pray:
Dear Lord, calm our anxious fears. Soothe our weary spirits. Heal the guilt and shame of those whose lives have been marred by the darkness of abortion. Unite us in joyfully defending life, including the unborn child, the frightened woman, the depressed and suicidal soul, the sick and suffering, and those who may be at life’s end. Grant us compassion. Grant us the joy of Your salvation. Defend us from all fear, as we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, until that blessed Day when we reach the shore of the fresh new land beyond, where we will celebrate that Feast which never ends. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.