Mountain View Lutheran Church

05/04/2025

John 21:1-14 After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to His disciples several times. One morning, while seven of them were fishing on the Sea of Galilee, Jesus stood on the shore, but they didn’t recognize Him.

He asked if they had caught any fish; they said no. Jesus told them to cast their net on the right side of the boat. When they did, they caught so many fish they couldn’t pull the net in.

This miracle was similar to an earlier one during Jesus’ ministry. Both times, the disciples fished all night without success, and Jesus filled their nets with fish. However, Peter’s reaction changed.

At the first miracle, Peter fell at Jesus' feet, overwhelmed by his sinfulness. Now, when John said, "It is the Lord!" Peter jumped into the water to reach Jesus quickly.
Peter’s faith had grown. He now understood that Jesus came not to punish sinners but to save them.

Like us, Peter once felt guilt and fear when faced with God’s holiness. Our sins, lies of the devil, and the brokenness of the world can make us feel hopeless. But God sent Jesus to gives us deliverance and restoration.

By His death and resurrection, Jesus took away our sins and gave us His perfect righteousness. When God looks at believers, He sees the goodness of His Son, not our sins. Through faith and baptism, we are made clean and welcomed into God's presence without fear.

Today, God continues to invite us through His Word and Sacraments, where we receive real forgiveness and new life.

Our holiness is not earned; it’s a gift from God. Like Peter on the shore, we now run eagerly to Jesus, full of hope and joy—a joy that will last forever! In the name of Jesus. Amen

04/27/2025

John 20: 19-23 Jesus’ disciples gave up everything—families, homes, jobs—to follow Him, believing He was the promised Messiah.

They saw Him do incredible miracles: turning water into wine, healing the sick, feeding thousands, and even raising the dead. They were sure nothing could stop Him.

But then, Jesus was arrested, tortured, and crucified. The disciples expected Him to use His power to escape, but He didn’t. Instead, He humbled Himself and obeyed God’s will, even to death.

After Jesus died, the disciples were terrified and confused. They hid in fear, unsure of what to do next. They forgot all the miracles and promises.

But on Easter Sunday evening, Jesus appeared to them in their locked room. He didn’t scold them—instead, He said, “Peace be with you.”

His words brought hope and joy. This peace was real and powerful, because Jesus had defeated sin, death, and hell.

Jesus then gave His disciples the Holy Spirit and authority to forgive sins. They were sent to share His peace and forgiveness.

This is called the Office of the Keys—the power to forgive or retain sins, just like locking and unlocking a door.

Today, we still receive everything Jesus gave them. Through God’s Word, Baptism, and the Lord’s Supper, Jesus gives us forgiveness, life, and salvation.

Baptism connects us to His death and resurrection. The Lord’s Supper gives us His true Body and Blood, bringing peace, life, and forgiveness.

Even in our struggles and fear, Jesus gives us peace that goes beyond understanding. His gifts are for us today.

If you don’t know that peace, it is found in Jesus—through His Word, His Church, and His promises. His life, peace, and forgiveness are for you. In the name of Jesus. Amen

04/24/2025

04/23/2025

Thank you to Our Lord Jesus for the opportunity to serve. ✝️ Matthew 20:28 “even as the Son of Man came not to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” In the name of Jesus. Amen

04/20/2025

Luke 24: 1-12 Today’s Gospel is about a complete turnaround—a story where everything flips. From heartbreak to hope, darkness to light, and from thinking all is lost to discovering everything has been found.

But to feel the joy of Easter morning, we have to go back to Friday—Good Friday. That day was full of pain and loss. Jesus, their teacher and friend, was crucified.

Everything they believed in seemed to fall apart. With the Sabbath approaching, there wasn’t even time to grieve properly.

The burial was rushed, and the women planned to return after the Sabbath to finish what they had started.

That Sabbath must have been long and heavy. Their hearts were broken, their work unfinished. But then came Sunday.

The women arrived at the tomb before sunrise—and everything had changed. The stone was rolled away. Jesus’ body was gone.

At first, they feared the worst. But then came the angel’s words: “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here. He has risen.”

Hope returned. The pieces started to make sense. Peter ran to the tomb and saw for himself—Jesus was not there.

Jesus was alive. The worst weekend in history became the most hope-filled moment ever.

But this story isn’t just about them—it’s about us too. What happened to Jesus changes everything for us.

From the beginning, sin separated us from God. But Jesus came to rescue us. He took our punishment and gave us His perfect life in return.

Because He rose, we are forgiven. We are made new. We were dead—but now, we are alive.

Paul said it best: “For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.” Today’s Gospel celebrates that change. Christ is risen. He is risen indeed. Alleluia. In the name of Jesus. Amen

04/19/2025

Jesus is Alive! Beyond Doubt. ✝️ He conquered death! And that power transforms us. Once guilty, now forgiven. Once a slave, now free. Once blind, now seeing. Once dead, now living. This is the reality Jesus offers. Believe it.
The proof? The empty tomb! Christ is risen. 🎊 He is risen indeed! 🎉

04/18/2025

John 19:29 ❤️‍✝️ And Jesus with His Final breath, He declared, "It is Finished" Then He gave up His Spirit. 💦 💨

Now is there any doubt that Jesus, your King 👑, understands suffering 😥? That He knows what it's like to struggle 🥹? Your King was bloodied and broken 💔for you. In the name of Jesus. Amen.

04/17/2025

Luke 22: 7-20 And Jesus took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves. 18 For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

04/13/2025

John 12: 12-19 Today’s Scripture reflects on Jesus' journey from triumphant entry into Jerusalem to His suffering and crucifixion, emphasizing His humility and the salvation He offers. It starts with Palm Sunday's "Hosanna" and contrasts it with the coming Passion.

Jesus, though divine, chose humility, born in a manger, living simply, and entering Jerusalem on a donkey. This humility culminated in His suffering and death, a path He chose to save us. The Gospel acknowledges that true humility is difficult for humans, requiring the Holy Spirit's help, as our natural inclination is pride.

The world promotes self-focus, but God teaches "Christ-esteem," emphasizing finding our worth in Christ, not ourselves. True encouragement is guiding others to understand their value in God's eyes. God's love, demonstrated by Jesus' sacrifice, is our ultimate worth and confidence.

Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, with people laying down their robes, foreshadows His sacrifice. These robes symbolize our sins, crushed under His feet. The "Hosanna" cries turned to shouts for His death, a death that brought salvation. Like the sacrificial lambs of the temple, Jesus, the Lamb of God, offered himself for our sins, providing eternal forgiveness.

Jesus' suffering is a source of God's love, and we should continually praise Him. He comes to us through His Word and sacraments, offering salvation. Ultimately, every knee will bow and every tongue confess Jesus as Lord, acknowledging His sacrifice and His glory. In the name of Jesus. Amen

04/06/2025

Luke 20:9-20 Jesus told a parable about a vineyard owner who rented his land to farmers. When the time came to collect his share, the tenants refused. They beat and rejected the servants he sent. Finally, he sent his beloved son, thinking they would respect him. Instead, they killed him, believing they could take the vineyard for themselves.

This parable represents God’s relationship with His people. He sent prophets to call them back, but they were rejected. Then, He sent His Son, Jesus, who was also rejected and crucified.

Jesus asked, “What will the owner do?” The answer: He will take the vineyard from the wicked tenants and give it to others. This happened when Jerusalem and its temple were destroyed, and God’s presence moved to His Church —a people gathered around Jesus.

Jesus is the “stone the builders rejected,” but He has become the cornerstone of salvation. The religious leaders expected a Messiah of power and glory, but Jesus came to bring forgiveness, peace, and eternal life. Those who reject Him face judgment. Jesus said, “Everyone who falls on this stone will be broken.” We must be humbled in repentance so that God can restore us. Otherwise, resisting Him leads to destruction.

Jesus’ death on the cross paid for all sin. The only sin that cannot be forgiven is rejecting Him.

Ironically, the evil tenants believed that killing the son would make them the owners. In a way, they weren’t entirely wrong—Jesus' death opened the way for life to the world.

But the story didn’t end there. God raised His Son from the dead, offering salvation to all who trust in Him.

Trust in Jesus, the cornerstone. Bring your brokenness to Him, for He was broken for you. Through Him, you will be made whole and receive eternal life. In the name of Jesus. Amen