The Shepherd’s Voice – Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Tomah, WI

The Seventh Sunday of Easter | John 15:26-16:4 | I Do, By the Grace of God

The Seventh Sunday of Easter
May 17, 2026
John 15:26-16:4
 
 
It seems to me that we hear these words of the Gospel each year, in addition to this Sunday, but in a different way. Let’s ponder them for a moment, and forgive me, but I’m going to paraphrase the Gospel here.
 
Jesus says He’s sending the Helper, the Holy Spirit, to the disciples to show them what He has done for them by dying on the cross and rising again on the third day. But they, likewise, will then need to bear witness to the world for what Jesus has done, or as we commonly say today in the church, “Confess” Jesus, His cross and resurrection to the world.
 
Then Jesus goes on to say that He’s telling the disciples these things because He doesn’t want them to fall away from Him – to fall away from faith in Him.
 
Jesus is telling the disciples these things because after His death and resurrection, they will be rejected by their people, thrown out of their synagogues, and killed in the name of religion.
 
In fact, Jesus says these people will think they are offering a sacrifice to God by killing them.
 
Jesus says they will do these things to His disciples because they don’t actually know His Father. They don’t understand the Scriptures, nor why Jesus came in the first place, to save His people from their sins.
 
But Jesus tells His disciples these things because when—not if—the time comes to suffer for His name, they will remember His words and know that He is with them, that they carry His divine truth, and even if believing in Jesus costs them their earthly lives, eternal life remains for those who have faith in Him. 
 
And this is exactly what happened to many of Jesus’ disciples.
 
St. Peter, Andrew, and Philip were crucified for their witness and faith in Jesus.  
 
St. James, son of Zebedee, beheaded.
 
St. Bartholomew, flayed alive.
 
St. Simon the Zealot, sawn in half.
 
St. Matthew, killed with a sword.
 
St. Jude, also known as Thaddeus, killed with arrows or an axe.
 
St. James the Lessor, stoned to death, as was St. Matthias.
 
Alright, so where else do you hear this little sermon about suffering for the witness and faith in Jesus Christ?
 
In the Rite of Confirmation, where the often young disciple of Christ is asked twice if they are willing to die rather than fall away from their witness and faith in Jesus.
 
Just listen to the questions from the rite now. 
 
The Confirmand is asked,
P    Do you intend to live according to the Word of God, and in faith, word, and deed to remain true to God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, even to death?
R    I do, by the grace of God.
 
P    Do you intend to continue steadfast in this confession and Church and to suffer all, even death, rather than fall away from it?
R    I do, by the grace of God.
 
If you happened to grow up in the time of The Lutheran Hymnal, otherwise known as TLH, these same questions were there, just with slightly older language.
 
Twice, the Confirmation student confesses their desire to die rather than fall away from the Christian faith. Twice, they confess to remaining steadfast, even if the world or, worse, those who are supposed to be in the church with them, try to cause them to stumble in their faith. 
 
Isn’t that interesting, the danger of being led away from Christ within the Church?
 
You see, the Greek word for “Falling away” or “Being led away” is σκανδαλίζω, meaning to scandalize.
 
Consider this: in some cases, a person’s death may actually stem from turning away from faith out of fear of death itself, while others, even within the church, work to silence your faith. 
 
But an amazing thing, as you reflect on the deaths of the Apostles we listed earlier, is that they never fell away. After the resurrection, they didn’t turn away from Jesus, they did not turn; they stood their ground and confessed their faith, even to the point of death.
 
How could they stand so firm in the face of death?
 
Because the Holy Spirit remained with them, Jesus and His Father kept their promise and sent the Holy Spirit to give them faith and courage, forgive their sins, and assure them of eternal life. 
 
This is, after all, what the Confirmand confesses after they’re asked if they’ll suffer death rather than fall away from the faith, “I do, by the grace of God.”
 
What is grace?
 
Grace is God’s undeserved, free gift of mercy and forgiveness to sinners, by which He declares them righteous solely on account of the works and merit of Christ.
 
Grace is the gift of God’s favor and His working within you.
 
But how do you receive this grace and favor of God?
 
This is the work of the Holy Spirit.
 
Remember what you learned in Confirmation: what is the Third Article of the Creed?
 
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
 
What does this mean? I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith. In the same way He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith. In this Christian church He daily and richly forgives all my sins and the sins of all believers. On the Last Day He will raise me and all the dead, and give eternal life to me and all believers in Christ.
 
This is most certainly true.
 
And because this is true, the disciples of Jesus never doubted Him, but rejoiced that He sent the Helper, the Holy Spirit, upon them to grant them the gift of forgiveness and faith, won for them upon the cross of Calvary, so that even if they had to suffer for the Christian faith and bear their own crosses, they would never fall away from the faith because eternal life and glory awaited them.
 
The disciples’ confidence and faith were the gift and grace of God, worked within their hearts by the Holy Spirit.
 
This remains true for you; the Christian faith is only yours through the Helper, the work of the Holy Spirit within you. None of you may remain in the Christian Church without the gift of grace, the forgiveness of God, unless the Holy Spirit dwells within you.
 
So, how do you ensure the Holy Spirit has access to your heart? By being present where Jesus has told you He is located for you, by being in Church, gathered around the grace of His Word, the sacrament of this altar, for the forgiveness of your sin. It’s in this way, the means of grace located in Word and Sacrament - the Holy Spirit delivers forgiveness, calls you by the Gospel, and enlightens you with His gifts. 
 
Only with these gifts are you kept in the true Christian faith and given faith to face any type of death as a Christian.
 
Now, while none of us expect to die a martyr’s death, one must still be ready if that day might arrive.
 
But the greater threat you face is from within — the worst scandal of the faith. It’s knowing today that the Holy Spirit comes, offers forgiveness of sins, works faith in you, and gives you strength for life’s struggles, yet you don’t come to receive it. 
 
You confessed with your lips the same words as St. Peter on the day of your confirmation, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” (Matthew 26:35)
 
However, that’s exactly what one does when they don’t gather around Jesus, when they don’t bring the little children unto Him, they deny Christ and fall away from Him.
 
My friends, the days are getting shorter for all of us, which means the urgency must be great among us and for our children and grandchildren to be strengthened in the faith, to be ready for the attacks of the devil and the world, to guard against becoming slothful and lazy in the Christian faith, because eternal life depends upon it.
 
And if you think about it, reflect on what kind of deaths the apostles were willing to suffer for this faith.
 
When you said you were willing to suffer even death rather than fall away from it, did you mean it?
 
Because this faith isn’t for the faint of heart, it’s filled with trials and tribulations, accidents, illnesses, diagnoses, disagreements, breakups, and deaths. The possibility of persecution, whether it’s mockery or job loss, losing a prized role in a play, or being cut from the team for missing Sunday games is a reality for being here each Sunday morning. I mean, sadly, you might even face hardship within your own family, who judge you for being absent from family gatherings, or getting tasks done around the home for being in the sanctuary of the Lord. 
 
But remember these words of Jesus, “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26)
 
The cost of this faith is high; just look at Jesus’ cross and see. He loved you so much that He was willing to die in this way for you, beaten, naked, and left alone. 
 
That’s a great love He has for you.
 
As the Easter season nears its end, don’t ever forget the cost Christ paid for your salvation, and if you find yourself struggling, remember these words from the Gospel, “I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told them to you.” (John 16:4)
 
The Holy Spirit is sent upon you to place before your eyes the love of Jesus Christ, to grant you enduring faith to carry the crosses of your life, and be made ready to die when that day comes, when you can be gathered with all the martyrs and confessors of the Christian faith in the resurrected life that will never end. +INJ+
 
 
Rev. Noah J. Rogness
Pastor, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
Tomah, WI
 
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Website: www.goodsheptomah.org
The Shepherd’s Voice Podcast: https://goodsheptomah.podbean.com/
 
 

The Sixth Sunday of Easter | John 16:23-33 | The Church as a Mother

The Sixth Sunday of Easter
May 10, 2026
John 16:23-33
 
Alleluia! Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!
 
As another Mother’s Day approaches, I find myself remembering my mom, who Jesus brought into His eternal presence over two years ago. It’s always interesting to me that some of the thoughts that come to mind are the things she said.
 
She’d say, “Oh, that’s different.”
 
Code word for, she didn’t like that.
 
Or “It’s a catch-22, if you know what I mean.”
 
Regrettably, she saw many situations as paradoxically no-win situations. However, you might only understand what my mother meant by these sayings if you spent enough time around her and asked clarifying questions, like, “What do you mean, Mom, by it’s a catch-22?”
 
In a way, my mom used figurative sayings and proverbs that only she understood.
 
I have wondered if this is a facet of being a mother: to speak in figures of speech, proverbs, to make a child think, to instill in them a need to ask questions. But then again, how often does a child roll their eyes, stare silently, fail to ask questions, and go on like they know all the answers?
 
Of course, there are many figures of speech a mother might use when speaking to a child.
 
“Don’t be such a scrooge,” implying the child is being miserable or ungenerous.
 
“He’s as cunning as a fox.” Maybe a warning to a child to be careful of the company they keep.
 
“You bite off more than you can chew.” The idea that the child has no idea how big, difficult, or complex the project they have decided to take on is.
 
Or “Put your nose to the grindstone.” Do the hard work, stay dedicated, and give 100 percent commitment.
 
Then of course, there are the figures of speech about mothers, too…
 
“Like mother, like child.”
 
“A face only a mother could love.”
 
“Mother knows best.”
 
These may not need explanation…
 
But throughout history, humans have used figures of speech and proverbs to express deeper truths. The entire book of Proverbs encourages the reader to think deeply, and if you review sections like Proverbs 31, you’ll notice there are specific proverbs written by a mother or about motherhood. 
 
However, it seems that nobody enjoys thinking deeply anymore. Everyone just wants to “Google” it, “Hey Siri,” or ask “Alexa” for the answers to life.
 
And in a way, the Gospel this morning is about asking questions, asking for help, seeking clarity, and learning how to pray.
 
Jesus says, “Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.”
 
The instruction to “Ask” is in the imperative, meaning Jesus is giving the disciples an order. Like a mother telling a child to clean their room, and this same order from Jesus is for you—ask, pray, speak to Jesus, so “your joy may be full.”
 
Yet at the same time, one theologian suggests that Jesus is also scolding the disciples for their laziness in praying to Him, listening to His instruction, and these words are also for you: stop being lazy in your prayers.
 
Again, Jesus says, “Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.”
 
You are told to pray in Jesus’ name first because He instructs you that this is how you are to have access to His Father. But also, as St. Peter said in the book of Acts, “There is no other name given to men in which we shall be saved.” (Acts 4:12)
 
When a child fears the storm in the night, when a daughter experiences a breakup with a boyfriend, when a son goes off to war, who do they speak to in times of distress, who do they call out to? Most often, their mother.
 
Even more so, a child of God must learn to pray and seek the care of their heavenly Father through His Son, Jesus Christ.
 
And this is learned from Scripture as one hears from the Gospel of St. Luke, “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” (Luke 11:9)
 
Or as St. James wrote, “But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord.” (James 1:6-7)
 
Or finally, as God instructs in the Psalms, “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.” (Psalm 50:15)
 
But the struggle to ask, seek, and pray remains.
 
Maybe you forget, in all the commotion and excitement of life, to pray; maybe you don’t believe Jesus wants to hear from you, or maybe you fall back on what many have said before: “I don’t need to pray, God knows what I need.”
 
This is a bit of a copout.
 
However, Jesus provides the disciples with a warning today regarding their faith in Him as He said, “Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.
 
Here, Jesus is foreshadowing His Passion, His death on the cross, when His disciples would abandon and forsake Him. In this moment of distress and tribulation, the disciples demonstrate a lack of obedience and faith in Jesus.
 
Yet, remember, in these times of distress and tribulation, Jesus says to His disciples, “Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.”
 
Prayer is an exercise of faith and obedience in God. Today’s Gospel cannot make it any clearer: God the Father wants you to pray to Him, through His Son, Jesus Christ. Because again, as we heard from St. Peter, “There is no other name given to men in which we shall be saved.” (Acts 4:12)
 
While the disciples respond to Jesus in the Gospel, “See, now You are speaking plainly, and using no figure of speech!”
 
These words are not a riddle for you; it’s not a figure of speech, and it’s not even a proverb; it’s a directive.
 
Why?
 
Because you know what happens that first Easter morning, and you know that He wants to give you the joy and benefits of His resurrection.
 
What is this joy of the resurrection? It’s the peace in His Word that soothes your troubled conscience and the declaration of forgiveness He bestows upon your heart. 
 
In a sense, as the Large Catechism states, the Church has become your mother, one that conceives and births every Christian through God’s Word. (LC 2:42)
 
And if the Church is your mother, then it’s here you should come, find comfort in her words, and rejoice in her unconditional love.
 
Now, I can’t promise you’ll understand every word of every Scripture reading from this mother, the Church. Some require more meditation and prayer than we’re used to these days. But I can tell you, the answer is always close; it’s always right in front of you—your Savior, Jesus Christ. 
 
As these last days of life are fleeting, as tribulations and disappointments seem to overwhelm you, don’t lose sight of your Savior. Remember that you can always speak to Him, and that He has called you to speak to Him, to pray, and ask Him for help. In fact, He expects it, Jesus said, “Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.”
 
Ask and pray to Jesus not only for earthly peace and joy, but for the eternal peace and joy that only He can give because He has overcome the world. +INJ+
 
Alleluia! Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! Alleluia!
 
Rev. Noah J. Rogness
Pastor, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
Tomah, WI
 
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Website: www.goodsheptomah.org
The Shepherd’s Voice Podcast: https://goodsheptomah.podbean.com/
 

Get to Know Josh and Nicole

On this episode of the Shepherd's Voice, we get to know soon to be married, Josh and Nicole!

The Fifth Sunday of Easter | John 16:5-15 | Being Led into the Song of Truth

The Fifth Sunday of Easter
May 3, 2026
John 16:5-15
 
Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
 
What comfort this sweet sentence gives, what joy it is to sing! This is your song of victory, your song of hope, your song of truth. Although it is a short song, it tells a bigger story. Much of music is used to tell stories. It is used to express happiness and to comfort in sadness. As you grow older, songs that were sung as a child have a way of sticking with you. Others are passed down from generation to generation.
 
Many children, cradled in their mothers’ arms, have heard, “You are my sunshine.” There is so much joy in seeing a sleeping or giggling child, and comfort in knowing a child is safe in a parent’s or grandparent’s arms. But the song also acknowledges that life isn’t always peaches and cream; there are gray skies and storms of life. Women who never hold a child, mothers who reject motherhood, mothers who bury their own, or mothers who see their children grow old and drift away from faith can attest to these storms.
 
These are storms Christ died for. 
 
Once protected within the unpenetrating arms of mother or father, children are thrust into a world full of unknowns as they grow and mature. Naturally, independence begins to emerge among young adults. Using the old saying, they spread their wings to fly away from the nest. Parents pray for their safety, that they will make wise decisions, and that they remember the one divine and eternal truth: that Jesus Christ entered this world as a child, died for their sins, your sins, and mine, defeated Satan, rose again, and ascended to the Father. 
 
But children are curious, and no matter the age, we all ask at some point, “What is truth?” Seek an answer to the question, “What is truth?” outside of the Church and outside of the protective arms of God, and the world will send you on a wild goose chase.
 
Well-meaning friends, neighbors, and peers tempt us to seek truth in this world, as if searching for water in a desert without water. The repeated message from the false priests and priestesses of our time claims that there is no objective truth. Instead, they suggest living simply, relying on yourself, and following the way of subjective or personal belief, where gods, goddesses, angels, and demons all act according to personal wills and desires. 
 
Without a doubt, you’ve heard it said or said it yourself, “I can’t believe in a God who would…. (Pick your disaster, let a child die, Alzheimer’s diagnosis, or judge someone based on their sexual orientation.)” However, with words like these, our god becomes our pronouncements; god becomes what we decide. God is no longer the creator; rather, He is the one being created in your image. Divine truth is lost — the truth that was given to you in the waters of your Baptism, the truth you were created in, is gone. 
 
Having lost the clear confession of truth, churches often resort or are tempted to try gimmicks in the hopes of being relevant and enjoyable to the seekers of this world. However, in this quest, objective truth becomes secondary or dismissible.
 
What if you had a surgery scheduled this week and the doctor told you it would be an enjoyable experience? You might think twice about choosing this particular doctor and drive to Madison, Milwaukee, or even the Twin Cities. The doctor’s job isn’t to bring you immediate enjoyment but to provide lasting healing. Today, worship has become a matter of lifestyle, light on substance, and not a matter of life and death. Instead, it’s something of the here and now, not of the eternal and forever.
 
The words of Jesus in the Gospel, however, state that there is an objective truth.
 
These words explain how we will recognize this truth and how the Holy Spirit will guide us in the way of truth. For this reason, Jesus must go to the Father to send the Holy Spirit, the “Spirit of truth.” It is He, Jesus says, who will guide the disciples and you.
 
Let’s be honest, we feel nervous when talking about the Holy Spirit. Some churches speak in tongues and claim to possess the Holy Spirit, but we don’t want to be associated with them. However, in these situations, we can rely on our confirmation instruction and recall what is taught in the small catechism, especially the third article of the Apostle’s Creed. More importantly, we should understand its meaning: “I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified, and kept me in the true faith.” These are the ways the Holy Spirit works—not something mysterious, but the concrete means of grace, the forgiveness of sins. 
 
So, what is the truth the Holy Spirit will guide you into, to know and confess? Jesus said in John 14, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
 
Truth is not just an idea; it’s a person—it’s Jesus Christ. It doesn’t end with simply knowing who He is, but it’s found in Him, who brings you into a relationship with God through daily surrender of the Old Adam, dying to sin and being raised to new life. It’s found in the forgiveness of sins, rescuing you from death and hell, and restoring you as image-bearers of God. 
 
Truth is found in Jesus. He’s not an emotion or idea. He’s not an invisible friend or make-believe relationship. He’s the child born of Mary, the Son sent by God the Father, whose heroic course brought Him back to the Father’s right hand, granting you access to your Father in heaven and always sending the Holy Spirit.
 
But the Holy Spirit, Jesus says, also comes to convict the world of sin. Of what sin? Unbelief. Not just the disbelief that Jesus exists or existed, but it reveals your unbelief and rejection of Him as Savior.
 
The Holy Spirit also comes to convict the world of righteousness. Christ is not referring to worldly righteousness or justice, where people give others what is owed. “The Holy Spirit convicts those who do not hold onto Jesus or receive Him because they try to justify themselves with their own poor and miserable works and merits.” Instead, it is Jesus’ blood that is the sacrifice. His ascension to the Father demonstrates His righteousness and brings us into the presence of the Father. 
 
The Holy Spirit comes to convict the world of judgment. Not our judgment, but the judgment of this world’s prince, the devil. He is the father of lies, and like your first parents, he desires to tempt you and lead you to reject the Truth found in Jesus Christ. He wants you to believe you can be God, and you are inclined to act as if you are — just as your first parents did in the Garden of Eden.
 
In a world full of schedules and commitments, everything today seems to be compartmentalized. Like food on a plate, nothing is allowed to touch; our church lives occupy one corner of the plate, and the rest of our lives take up the remaining portions. Sunday is reserved for God and church, while the rest of the week is for worldly things. Our lives are conducted from Monday through Saturday, as if one life doesn’t inform the other. Sunday is the day of resurrection, and Monday begins everything else for the week. 
 
Everything throughout the week feels like a struggle, a fight. Even though this world has been judged through Christ’s victory on the cross, we live as if we must fight for ourselves. We must succeed in this world and make a name for ourselves. Yet, despite the many changes in this world, we always pray that our eyes may be fixed where true joy is found. 
 
Near the end of today’s Gospel, Jesus says the Holy Spirit will guide you in all truth and take everything that is His to declare it to you. What is declared to you is something greater than anything you have in this life. It’s Him making you a child of His heavenly Father; it’s you being placed in His protective arms. The lullaby He gives you is yours to sing in the liturgy of the Church. It’s this song that you carry with you into the busyness of the week and the chaos of each day. When the days of sunshine fade, and gray skies appear, this song gives you the words to call on your heavenly Father with boldness and confidence. Trust that He hears you, live as His child, and know that He will carry you through this life and bring you to Himself in heaven. +INJ+
 
 
Alleluia! Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! Alleluia!
 
Rev. Noah J. Rogness
Pastor, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
Tomah, WI
 
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Website: www.goodsheptomah.org
The Shepherd’s Voice Podcast: https://goodsheptomah.podbean.com/
 
 

The Fourth Sunday of Easter | John 16:16-22 | Time Doesn't Heal All Wounds

The Fourth Sunday of Easter
April 26, 2026
John 16:16-22
 
Alleluia! Christ is Risen!
 
This past week, my family drove 4 hours to Iowa for a Lutheran education conference. With a van full of children, you can imagine the constant refrain from the backseats…
 
“Are we there yet?”
 
“How much longer?”
 
A child’s understanding of time is often skewed, isn’t it?
 
When waiting for something good to arrive, like seeing old friends, time moves slowly, but when the opportunity for joy and fun arrives, time flies by.
 
This understanding of time doesn’t really change as people age; the days leading up to vacation feel long, but the time off itself goes by quickly. 
 
No matter what happens, one thing is certain: time continues to move forward at the same rate. It’s the events and experiences in your life that shape how you perceive and experience time. 
 
So, to quote the country artist, Kenny Chesney, “Don’t Blink.”
 
But in today’s Gospel, Jesus tells the disciples, “A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me, because I go to the Father.” (John 16:16)
 
Jesus said, “A little while, and you will not see me.”
 
Why? Because He must die upon the cross, which is highlighted by these words,
Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy.
 
There is so much packed into these words of Jesus.
 
First, these words of Jesus look ahead to His death and resurrection. But then they also address the idea of time, while, in another sense, Jesus seems to discuss how sorrow, weeping, lamenting, and grief influence our experience of time. 
 
Jesus says the world will rejoice at the time of his death, even while the disciples mourn and weep.
 
When a death happens close to you, surely you don’t see the world celebrating your sorrow and fear, but maybe you’ve noticed how the world doesn’t stop for your tears either; it keeps moving. 
 
Time always keeps moving, doesn’t it?
 
The fourth-century Greek poet, Menander, wrote the well-known adage for a play, “Time heals all wounds.”
 
In a way, the idea is that with enough time, your sorrows and griefs will disappear; they will fade as the days go by. You just need patience.
 
But, you don’t just practice this idea or hear these words when a loved one dies, do you?
 
You also use it when you’re upset with someone, when you’ve had a falling out with a friend or family member, when a young man and a woman break up, or when you’ve committed a serious sin that weighs heavily on your heart and faith. 
 
“Time heals all wounds.”
 
These words have not only become your friend, but a means also to avoid confronting the tribulations of life.
 
But how does Scripture respond to this idea of time? Let’s look at the well-known passage from Ecclesiastes,
 
To everything there is a season,
                        A time for every purpose under heaven:
A time to be born,
                        And a time to die;
                        A time to plant,
                        And a time to pluck what is planted;
A time to kill,
                        And a time to heal;
                        A time to break down,
                        And a time to build up;
A time to weep,
                        And a time to laugh;
                        A time to mourn,
                        And a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones,
                        And a time to gather stones;
                        A time to embrace,
                        And a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to gain,
                        And a time to lose;
                        A time to keep,
                        And a time to throw away;
A time to tear,
                        And a time to sew;
                        A time to keep silence,
                        And a time to speak;
A time to love,
                        And a time to hate;
                        A time of war,
                        And a time of peace. (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)
 
As Luther notes on this passage from Ecclesiastes, God has ordained a definitive beginning and end to every aspect of life. He writes,
All human works and efforts have a certain and definite time of acting, of beginning, and of ending, beyond human control. Thus this is spoken in opposition to free will. It is not up to us to prescribe the time, the manner, or the effect of the things that are to be done; and so it is obvious that here our strivings and efforts are unreliable. Everything comes and goes at the time that God has appointed. He proves this on the basis of examples of human works whose times lie outside the choice of man (AE 15:49).
 
Okay, so what does all of this mean?
 
It means your time is in God’s hands. Your births, your relationships, your marriage, your children, the breakups, the wars between friends and family, the job loss, the retirement, the deaths of a loved one, the grief and sorrow that follow.
 
All of this life is in God’s timing.
 
Yet, we can still say with confidence, “Time [does not] heal all wounds.”
 
Why do we say this?
 
Because Jesus is the only one who heals all wounds. He alone can take your grief and sorrow into Himself and give you joy, and that leads us to look to the time of His death upon the cross.
 
As the prophet Isaiah wrote,
 Surely he has borne our griefs
                        and carried our sorrows;
             yet we esteemed him stricken,
                        smitten by God, and afflicted. (Isaiah 53:4)
 
How often do you get caught in a continuous cycle of sorrow, grief, lament, and weeping? 
 
How often do you neglect or refuse to reach out and engage with the people and situations that challenge you throughout life? That leads to heartache and anger. Figuring, you’ll just give it time.
 
While time does not heal all wounds, time remains fleeting, so you should listen intently to the words of Jesus today,
 A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me, because I go to the Father. (John 16:16)
 
These words not only describe the aspect of time, but also lead you, along with Jesus’ disciples, to look toward His cross and His death. Still, they don’t leave you in darkness either, because they remind you that on that first Easter morning, your Jesus rose from the dead, bringing you the joy of His forgiveness. 
 
If you desire this joy, the joy of a mother who has given birth to a child, then you must not only go and face the crosses in your life—the person, the event, or cause of your grief and sorrow—but also confront these crosses by confessing your griefs, sorrows, laments, struggles, and the sin you are holding onto.
 
In other words, go to Jesus and confess your sin and your faith in Him, because only then can you or your neighbor rise with Christ in the joy of His resurrection.
 
Go to the font, drown the old Adam of sin and doubt, of fear and sadness, so you may receive new birth in Christ Jesus.
 
And don’t wait to do this, because just as there is a time for every purpose under heaven, the time for repentance and reconciliation, that is now.
 
So don’t waste time; instead, entrust the minutes, hours, and days of your life into God’s hands with eagerness, for He cares for you and longs to bring you into His eternal joy, where there is no time. +INJ+
 
 
Rev. Noah J. Rogness
Pastor, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
Tomah, WI
 
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Website: www.goodsheptomah.org
The Shepherd’s Voice Podcast: https://goodsheptomah.podbean.com/
 
 

The Third Sunday of Easter | John 10:11-16 | The Good Shepherd Sends You His Sheepdogs

Easter 3
April 19, 2026
John 10:11-16
 
Alleluia! Christ is Risen!
 
Today is Good Shepherd Sunday, which tells the story of Jesus, the Good Shepherd. What’s so wonderful about this passage is that Jesus teaches us He is not like a hireling, who doesn’t care about you, His sheep, and abandons you in your troubles or when the enemy attacks; no, instead, He came to save you. And that’s what He did—by laying down His life for you on the cross that first Good Friday, by enduring the attacks and wounds of the wolf, He died for your sins, your struggles, the darknesses that lead you away from His cross and Church. 
 
But maybe you’ve asked yourself, “How is Jesus coming to me today, to save me, to care for me, to bring me back to His cross and Church, back to the gathering of His flock?”
 
The answer to this question might come after the resurrection, as Jesus spoke to Simon Peter in the Gospel of St. John,
 
So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?”
 
He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”
 
He said to him, “Feed My lambs.”
 
He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?”
 
He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”
 
He said to him, “Tend My sheep.”
 
He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?”
 
And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.”
 
Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.” (John 21:15-17)
 
First, we learn from this passage that Jesus cares for His sheep by sending pastors among them. But secondly, did you notice how Jesus doesn’t tell Peter to feed “your” sheep, no, He says to him, to feed “My” sheep — to feed the sheep of Jesus? 
 
Who are these sheep?
 
They are you—the ones who bear the Lord’s mark, have been washed in His baptism, sealed with His name, and covered by His blood shed on the cross.
 
This passage from the Gospel of John, these instructions given to St. Peter, are read at every ordination and installation of a pastor, because the clear instruction to all pastors is to feed the sheep of Jesus, “His sheep.” (Paraphrase from St. Augustine)
 
Now, how is a pastor to do this?
 
Well, Harold Senkbeil, a pastor outside of Elm Grove, WI, wrote a book called The Care of Souls, and in that book, he has a chapter called “Sheep-Dogging and Shepherding.”
 
In this chapter, Senkbeil alludes to the pastor as a sheepdog.
 
While many of you know what a sheepdog is, for those who don’t, this type of dog has traditionally been used to herd various kinds of livestock. Sheepdogs work closely with farmers or shepherds to move herds or flocks, prevent them from straying, guide them home, and guard and protect them from danger. 
 
Senkbeil says,
Consider this picture of the relationship between a sheepdog and shepherd as a vivid illustration of the bond between a pastor and the Good Shepherd who has enlisted him in service to his sheep. The sheepdog is iconic of a faithful pastor’s work: one ear turned to the voice of the Great Shepherd, the other tuned attentively to the sheep.
 
With this illustration in mind, Senkbeil urges the reader to ponder these relationships more as he quotes another author:
[The sheepdog] was the docile and faithful agent of another mind. He used his whole intelligence and initiative, but always in obedience to his master’s directive will… The little mountain sheep he had to deal with were exceedingly tiresome, experts in doubling and twisting and going the wrong way as any naughty little boy. Even so, the dog went steadily on with it, his tail never ceased to wag.
 
The dog’s relation to the shepherd was the center of his life; and because of that, he enjoyed doing his job with the sheep; he did not bother about the trouble, nor get discouraged with the apparent results. The dog had transcended mere dogginess. His actions were dictated by something right beyond himself. He was the agent of the shepherd, working for a scheme which was not his own and the whole of his of which he could not grasp, and it was just that which was the source of so delightedness, the eagerness and also the discipline with which he worked. But he would not have kept that peculiar and intimate relationship unless he had sat down and looked at the shepherd a good deal.
 
What these words reveal is that the sheepdog will never fully grasp the shepherd’s entire intent, meaning, he doesn’t know why this event leads to the next event. However, the dog acts as an extension of the shepherd, eager and willing to go wherever he is needed, and despite any frustrations, the sheepdog always looks to the shepherd, captivated by His love for him and the sheep. 
 
And this is where it all begins — the sheepdog watching and being captured by the Shepherd. Everything the sheepdog does is directed by the words of the Shepherd.
 
Similarly, everything the pastor does should be guided by the voice of the Good Shepherd.  
 
So, if you’re sick and in the hospital, the pastor is here to visit you and surround you with the comfort of God’s word.
 
If you are failing to live the baptismal life and walk in the fruits of the Spirit— “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control”—the pastor is there to guide you back onto the difficult path of confession and absolution. (Galatians 5:22-23)
 
If you have wandered away from the flock, if you fail to keep the confession of faith from your Confirmation, the pastor will go after you, calling, texting, writing, emailing, Facebooking, or whatever form of communication is needed to lead you back to the Good Shepherd and the supper that awaits you here. 
 
It’s what the pastor, the sheepdog, is sent to do, because he receives his direction from the Good Shepherd, from his Lord, Jesus Christ.
 
And this is why I come into this sanctuary each morning: to get away from the distractions of the pastor’s study, to quietly look to my Savior, to hear His Word, to kneel and pray for you, His sheep, just as the apostles, the first pastors, instructed in the book of Acts as it was written, “But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” (Acts 6:4)
 
Or when I am permitted to come to your home and bedside during your times of trouble, sickness, or approaching death, because the Scriptures instruct the pastor, as St. James wrote,
Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. (James 5:13-15)
 
Or if you have strayed, if you have not been found regularly among the flock in the Divine Service; Jesus, the Good Shepherd, sends His sheepdog, His undershepherd, the pastor, after you—to leave the 99 and rescue the one—striving to bring you home to the flock of Jesus as you read in the Gospel of St. Luke. (Luke 15:3-7)
 
Why is all this done? Because Jesus says, “I am the Good Shepherd. I know my own and my own know me.” (John 10:14)
 
These words are the good news of Good Shepherd Sunday.
 
Jesus, your Good Shepherd, knows you. He has claimed you in Holy Baptism, and through His Word, He calls out to you. He doesn’t send hirelings among you, who do not care about you and would abandon you in times of trouble, to leave you when you or your children wander away from Him, or remain snug in your beds on a Sunday morning.
 
No, He sends His pastors, His sheepdogs, to do His will, to care for you, and to ensure you are constantly hearing the voice of Jesus, so you might know Him. So you might look to the cross and see how the Shepherd laid down His life for you, the sheep, enduring the attacks and wounds of the wolf - He died for your sins, your struggles, and the darknesses that lead you away from His Church, from His flock.
 
Jesus does all of this through His pastors because He loves you, and this is why Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?”
 
“Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”
 
[Jesus] said to him, “Feed My lambs.”
 
This is why pastors are sent to you: to do as Jesus has instructed and commanded. So, on the last day, you can join the whole company of heaven in saying, Alleluia! Christ is Risen! +INJ+
 
Rev. Noah J. Rogness
Pastor, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
Tomah, WI
 
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Website: www.goodsheptomah.org
The Shepherd’s Voice Podcast: https://goodsheptomah.podbean.com/
 

The Second Sunday of Easter | John 20:19-31 | The Conflicts of Faith

Easter 2
April 12, 2026
John 20:19-31
 
 
Alleluia! Christ is Risen!
 
Disappointment, grief, and fear are difficult feelings to process.
 
Certainly, you’ve experienced a time when you loved someone so deeply that you couldn’t imagine life without them. There are others you’ve trusted in life so completely that you’d follow them anywhere. And there are people you’ve depended on for their steady advice during tough times, and now you feel lost without them — like you’ve lost your sense of direction, and you would have followed them anywhere. 
 
You can experience these feelings of disappointment, grief, and fear after a breakup with a boyfriend or girlfriend, or the death of a spouse. Maybe you and a close friend had a falling out. Or, in other situations, a confidant or a pastor was called away to shepherd a different flock. 
 
These situations are difficult for everyone. They often cloud a person’s thinking.
 
For instance, grief can lead to brain fog, memory loss, and rollercoaster emotions. One moment you’re happy, and the next you’re crying or screaming. The body may become physically exhausted, and you may even experience digestive issues, sleep deprivation, and cardiovascular problems known as broken heart syndrome. 
 
These darknesses and their shadows lead you onto new paths filled with distorted realities. In these moments, your faith is tested—faith in man, faith in God. 
 
You might wonder, is this what is occurring with Thomas in today’s Gospel?
 
After all, earlier in the Gospel of John, Thomas was not known to be the doubter he is in today’s reading. No, instead, he was bold as he said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we might die with [Jesus].” (John 11:16)
 
Where were the disciples headed here? Where is the location Thomas mentions? They were going to the tomb of Lazarus, to the place where life and death confront each other, the site where faith and hope struggle, and where Thomas believes death and martyrdom await him and the others. 
 
What happened to this Thomas?
 
The death of Jesus shattered his hopes and dreams, taking away his rabbi and teacher—somebody he depended on and believed in to rescue and save him and the others from oppression, want, and need. 
 
Thomas would have followed Jesus anywhere...
 
Surely you can relate to this, Thomas. Surely you’ve felt like Thomas. Some of you might not even blame him for being full of doubt and unbelief.
 
This is, after all, what has happened here: bold Thomas has become doubting Thomas because he no longer believed in Jesus, His Word, because he could not see his Savior with his eyes or touch Him with his hands.
 
The Church Father, Gregory the Great, wrote regarding today’s Gospel,
It was not an accident that [Thomas] was not present (with the eleven). The divine mercy ordained that a doubting disciple should, by feeling in his Master the wounds of the flesh, heal in us the wounds of unbelief. The unbelief of Thomas is more profitable to our faith than the belief of the other disciples. For the touch by which he is brought to believe confirms our minds in belief, beyond all question. (Gregory the Great)
 
Alright, so what is Gregory the Great saying here? He is saying, the doubting faith of Thomas is for us, for you. Gregory is saying that Thomas placed his finger into the print of the nails and his hand into the side of Jesus for your faith.
 
Which raises another difficulty: understanding God’s will and timing throughout life. Why did my high school sweetheart break up with me? She was my everything. Why did God take my spouse to be with Him? I need them. Why did God permit me to have such a falling out with my dear friend? Why did God take away the pastor who understood me the most and always pointed me in the right direction?
 
The answer to these questions is rarely what you desire or want, because when disappointment, grief, and fear arise, as they did for Thomas, you rarely think clearly and often find your faith wavering at best. 
 
However, through the example of Thomas today, we see that these instances are opportunities for us to trust, have faith, and cling to Jesus’ Word all the more.
 
And this is what St. John says in the closing verse of the Gospel as he wrote,
And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name. (John 20:30-31)
 
This belief and faith are how you place your fingers with Thomas into the print of the nails and your hand into the side of your Savior. Remember from last week, Jesus never stops being the crucified, and for this reason, every time you enter this sanctuary through the remembrance of your baptism, you enter the cross of Christ the crucified.
 
When you receive God’s forgiveness through the absolution and the proclamation of Jesus’ Word, you receive His peace. When you approach this altar, you receive the crucified and risen flesh and blood of Jesus upon your lips for your salvation and faith.
 
In a miraculous way, Jesus continues to come to you as He came to Thomas, both in His Word and in His body, in order for the Holy Spirit to create and sustain faith within you.
 
Look, life can be scary when going through cosmic changes, especially in relationships. But today is a chance for you to remember that your doubts and fears are not unique; even Jesus’ disciples struggled, and some, like Thomas, experienced a conflict of faith, particularly after the death and resurrection of Jesus. 
 
You are no different from them. You should expect the Christian life to be difficult because you remain in this life with other humans, who likewise are intelligent, emotional creatures.
 
But through the signs and events written within the Scriptures, be reminded of the hope you have in Christ Jesus, the Savior who has already won redemption for you.
 
And should you find yourself in darkness, locked in a state of fear, come to where Jesus is present for you, hear His Word of peace, and repeat with the entire Church,
 
Alleluia! Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! Alleluia!
 
 
Alleluia! Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! Alleluia!
 
 
Alleluia! Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! Alleluia!
 
Come, hear, touch, and receive Jesus for your eternal and everlasting faith. +INJ+
 
 
Rev. Noah J. Rogness
Pastor, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
Tomah, WI
 
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Website: www.goodsheptomah.org
The Shepherd’s Voice Podcast: https://goodsheptomah.podbean.com/

The Festival of Easter | Mark 16:1-8 | Jesus is Preparing You for Resurrection

The Festival of Easter
April 5, 2026
Mark 16:1-8
 
 
Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
 
 
Since ancient times, family members have cared for their loved ones’ bodies after death. The family washed the body, dressed or wrapped it in linen shrouds, and surrounded it with incense, spices, and costly ointments. These practices of using pleasant fragrances served a practical purpose, masking the smell of death, as it was common for loved ones not only to carry the body to the family tomb but also to spend time with the deceased in the burial chamber.
 
On a different level, these practices of caring for the deceased also served as therapy, helping family members cope with their grief. In ways many of us are unaware of today, this process enables the living to accept the death of a loved one, gives purpose in caring for and dressing the body for burial, provides time to say goodbye, and ensures that rituals and dignity are maintained throughout the burial preparations. 
 
The idea of using a funeral home, embalming, and paying others to prepare a loved one’s body is fairly recent, emerging within the last one hundred to two hundred years.
 
But this morning, as we heard in the Gospel, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome were walking to the tomb where Jesus was laid to continue the burial and ritual process that had begun in haste on Good Friday.
 
They bought and brought additional spices to the tomb, since the smell and stench of death would likely have started emanating from the body. You can assume that their walk to the tomb was rather slow, as they probably lacked joy in the tasks ahead. 
 
No one enjoys the journey to the grave, whether on foot or in a hearse. No one.
 
Because we understand that when we leave the grave, this is where the deceased will stay. We will depart, life will continue, but the dead remain.
 
But that’s why the morning’s Gospel is so surprising and exciting—because the women went to the tomb to care for Jesus’ body, but it wasn’t there. 
 
No, instead, what they see is an angel clothed in white, who announces to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him.”
 
What wonderful words for their ears to hear.
 
What wonderful words for our ears to hear.
 
Now, there are a few things we can learn from the words of the angel. First, he says, “You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified.”
 
We often like to disconnect the crucifixion from the resurrection, yet even in the earliest words announcing the resurrection of Jesus, it is clear that He remains the crucified. With Romans 4 in mind, St. Paul reveals this profound link between the crucifixion and resurrection as he says, “[Jesus] was delivered for our trespasses and raised for our justification.” (Romans 4:25) 
 
So, what is Paul saying here?
 
He explains that Jesus was crucified to pay the penalty for your sins, every one of them. But His resurrection now demonstrates His power over the grave, confirming that forgiveness is available to those who believe in Him. It also assures you, the faithful, that when the time comes, you will not remain in the grave, but like Christ, you too will rise from the dead. 
 
And this is the great news of Easter, that “Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here.”
 
In a way, on Easter, we all become Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome as we come to this sanctuary. While we do not bring spices and ointments for His burial, we do bring songs of praise as we seek and celebrate the resurrected Jesus who is here as He has promised.
 
This journey we are on, whether alone or with others, is also a preparation for our own death in Christ—the grave we enter through our baptisms—shaping not just the body but also the soul, for eternal rest and new life in the resurrection with Christ Jesus.  
 
And this is why we come and return to this sanctuary as often as possible, for Christ Jesus to prepare our bodies and souls for our deaths and burials. To die to our sins, to walk away from the devil and the grave. To be clothed and made ready to be raised in forgiveness and new life, every Sunday and Lord’s Day. 
 
My friends in Christ, as the days go by, don’t let today or the next funeral of a loved one be the last time you journey here or walk past the font where Jesus, the crucified, placed His name upon you and made you a partaker of His resurrection. Instead, come back—come back often—to where Jesus has promised He is present for you for the forgiveness of sin. Come and sing praises to your heavenly King, come and receive the foretaste of heaven prepared for you at this rail, come, rejoice, and confess with your brothers and sisters in Christ and the whole company of heaven...
 
O Death, where is your sting?
 
O Hell, where is your victory?
 
Christ is risen, and you are overthrown.
 
Christ is risen, and the demons are fallen.
 
Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice.
 
Christ is risen, and life reigns.
 
Christ is risen, and not one dead remains in the grave.
 
For Christ, being risen from the dead, has become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. To Him be glory and dominion unto ages of ages.
 
So let us stand at the grave and cry out…
 
Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
 
Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
 
Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
 
Amen.
 
 
Rev. Noah J. Rogness
Pastor, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
Tomah, WI
 
 
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Website: www.goodsheptomah.org
The Shepherd’s Voice Podcast: https://goodsheptomah.podbean.com/
 

The Great Easter Vigil | The Church has Always Kept Watch

The Great Easter Vigil
April 4, 2026
 
 
Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
 
 
The Psalmist writes, “My soul waits for the Lord, more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning.” (Psalm 130:6)
 
Since the beginning of time and the fall into sin, mankind has been keeping watch for its redemption.
 
In fact, the entirety of Scripture is nothing but the prayer of the Psalmist, “My soul waits for the Lord, more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning.” (Psalm 130:6)
 
The image the Psalmist is painting for the reader is that of a vigil.
 
Honestly, vigils are not that foreign to us, are they?
 
We keep vigil when a woman is near giving birth.
 
We keep vigil for a child’s return late at night.
 
We keep vigil for the soldier overseas.
 
We keep vigil for the one who is ill.
 
We keep vigil when death draws near.
 
The idea of keeping watch, of keeping vigil, is ingrained in the rhythms of life.
 
It began with Adam and Eve as they waited for a seed, born of woman, to crush the serpent’s head. It continued with Israel as they observed the Lord’s Passover and remembered His promise to redeem them. And it was fulfilled in the coming of the Christ Child that first Christmas.
 
The Church is no different; throughout its history, it has always gathered in the darkness of night, with candles and torches in hand, as a reminder that the Light of Christ will scatter the darkness of sin and this world. (1 Corinthians 4:5)
 
You see this most clearly when we gather on Christmas Eve in the darkness to pray, sing Silent Night, and wait for the birth of the Christ Child. 
 
It really shouldn’t surprise you that, when we gather to celebrate the birth of Christ, we would also come together on this most holy of nights to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection and to welcome the new life given to man through His resurrection. 
 
As St. Peter wrote, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you. (1 Peter 1:3)
 
This is why, throughout the centuries, this night has been dedicated to baptizing and confirming catechumens and students of the faith, symbolizing their transition from the darkness of unbelief into the light of faith and new life. 
 
This is a night for you to recount God’s mercy through the reading of Scripture to His entire Church. It is a night of new birth and the remembrance of your baptism. It is a night for the light of Christ to dawn upon you, His creatures who are in need of rescuing.
 
So don’t be shy, but out of the darkness of your life, remain ready and learn to pray with the Psalmist and the Church, “My soul waits for the Lord, more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning.” (Psalm 130:6)
 
Pray in the night of waiting, pray at the time of anguish and yearning, pray when death draws near.
 
But then rejoice, because morning has come, your Savior has risen from the dead, and He has an imperishable, undefiled, and unfading inheritance for you in heaven.
 
So, rejoice and greet this happy day, saying…
 
Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
 
Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
 
Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
 
 
Rev. Noah J. Rogness
Pastor, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
Tomah, WI
 
 
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Website: www.goodsheptomah.org
The Shepherd’s Voice Podcast: https://goodsheptomah.podbean.com/
 
 
 
 

Good Friday | The Death of Jesus is Your Death

Good Friday
April 3, 2026
 
 
Leading up to the season of Lent, we meditated on the Latin phrase “Memento Mori,” meaning “remember your death,” or “remember you must die.”
 
A difficult phrase to comprehend, a matter we’d prefer not to contemplate.
 
We don’t want to grapple with the idea of death, let alone give it room to exist in our minds. Yet, as people get older, the thought becomes unavoidable. 
 
As we discussed, one way the ancients kept the idea of death before them was by sometimes using the actual bones and skulls of loved ones who had already died; they would place these items on a worktable or desk. 
 
Naturally, this isn’t something we do today, nor would we consider it.
 
Yet, the season of Lent is meant to encourage us to reflect on “Memento Mori.” It aims to prompt us to confront aspects of life that weaken our faith, especially those that often lead us to sin and spiritual death. 
 
And we don’t need to look far for examples in our lives that lead us to death.
 
Reflect on tonight’s readings about Judas’ actions as he betrayed Jesus and handed Him over to the chief priests and Pharisees. Are you any different from Judas? How often do you find yourself being greedy and selfish, only thinking of yourself? 
 
In this way, you have delivered Jesus over to be scourged.
 
Then there’s Peter. You want to confess with him, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God,” (Matthew 16:16). But honestly, when was the last time you discussed or confessed the Christian faith outside of these walls? With a friend, a coworker, or a family member?
 
Sometimes we forget that words left unsaid still carry meaning. They still confess something, and in this case, they reflect Peter’s cowardly nature when it mattered most, as he said, “I do not know the man.” (Matthew 26:72)
 
In this way, you are a feeble witness as your Savior was tried as a criminal for your offenses.
 
Yet, the example of Pilate still remains. He’s indifferent at best, and when faced with a choice, Pilate will take the easy way out, handing Jesus over to be crucified rather than standing firm against the mobs. 
 
Like with Peter, consider how you approach and assess the situation, choosing the easier path, and instead of standing up for what is right and confessing Jesus, you let your selfishness lead you to hand Jesus over to the soldiers to be crucified. 
 
To die.
 
All of these events led to Jesus’ death on the cross; however, while Jesus did die on the cross about two thousand years ago, today is really about your own death. 
 
As we read in the book of Romans, “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
 
Or a little later in Romans, we hear the familiar passage,
We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:4)
 
We speak this verse often, because we have a great need for “Memento Mori.”
 
We have a profound need to remember our own death and mourn the things that lead us toward death. We must turn away from what harms our faith. To drown our betrayal, denial, and selfish indifference to Christ in the waters of Holy Baptism, remember that we must die to sin in order to rise to new life. 
 
When we can do this, “Memento Mori” isn’t as scary as it first appears.
 
On this Good Friday, remember your death by taking up the cross in your hands, placing it before your eyes each day, seeing your Savior on the cross, and recognizing your own death on the cross. 
 
One of the wonderful aspects of the hymns we sing tonight is that they allow us to meditate on this reality. Using the closing stanza of “O Sacred Head, Now Wounded,” let it serve as a prayer and a reflection of joy and life. 
 
       Be Thou my consolation,    My shield, when I must die;Remind me of Thy passion    When my last hour draws nigh.Mine eyes shall then behold Thee,    Upon Thy cross shall dwell,My heart by faith enfold Thee.    Who dieth thus dies well.
 
As Lent comes to an end, keep these words and the cross of Jesus before you and remember that His death is your death, “Memento Mori.” 
 
But His life is also your life. So, look to the cross, keep it in your sight, hold onto it, for there hangs the Life that ends all death.
 
+INJ+
 
Rev. Noah J. Rogness
Pastor, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
Tomah, WI
 
 
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Website: www.goodsheptomah.org
The Shepherd’s Voice Podcast: https://goodsheptomah.podbean.com/