“James and John, the two sons of Zebedee, came up to Jesus, saying, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask of You.”  And He said to them, “What do you want Me to do for you?” (Mark 10:35-36)

How often do we go to the Lord expectantly and ask for something?  Listen to Jesus as He receives the request.  He asks what they want.  Our Lord knows what we will ask even before we ask it.  Why ask then?  For our sake He teaches us through everything we say and do.  Yes, approach the Lord with all requests, but learn to come humbly seeking the Lord’s will in all things.

Lord, I often do not even know what to ask.  There are also times when I ask for the wrong things.  How much do I come to You in the wrong way because of my attitude and level of expectation?  Help me, Lord, to ask for right things.  Guide me to know that in You alone can I have confidence.  Lead me even in the things I ask so that I may humbly walk in Your will, doing what is pleasing in Your sight.

Lord Jesus, I often ponder the depth of the salvation that is needed for my own soul.  Help me understand with the things I ask and see whether it is right and fitting for me in accordance with the Father’s will.  Teach me the questions to ask.  Teach me to discern more clearly those things I need to know.  Lord, teach me to seek the Father’s will and what that means.  Amen.

“They will mock Him and spit on Him, and scourge Him and kill Him, and three days later He will rise again” (Mark (10:34).

The world is still trying to do this.  Jesus is mocked and scourged in public forums.  Everywhere the attempt is made to kill Jesus again, but He keeps rising.  It is not the idea of Jesus, but the reality of God showing up and walking with us that introduces us to reality.  God created all of what you see, hear, smell, feel, and comprehend.  He even invented your ability to do this.  Will you see the God who loves you?

Lord God, Creator of all things, You made me.  You made me to be who I am and placed me in the circumstances in which I find myself.  I can live trying to deny You, or else fall at Your feet and worship You.  Lead me in the way of real life.  Help me to see the reality of this age which does not just try to kill You, but it seeks to kill me as well.  You come giving life.  Help me to live the life You give.

Lord Jesus, You did all of this for the sake of everyone who would walk in the life you give.  I may not know all that this means, but I have come to the place where I understand that Your word is the word of life.  Help me to walk through all that may come my way knowing that in You alone is there hope and life.  Lead me while I die to sin, death, and the devil in order to be raised into the life which You give.  Amen.

Easter 2026

Dear Friends in the Lord Jesus –

For me one of the great joys of Bible study is seeing something that has always been there but I had never noticed before. Such was the case with a couple statements about Peter, which I discovered as I was preparing for the Bible study on Peter that I have been leading on the Wednesday evenings during Lent.

For many years I have been aware of the statement made by the young man dressed in a white robe to the women who had come to Jesus’ tomb early Easter Sunday morning and found that it was empty. “Go, tell His disciples and Peter” (Mark 16: 7). Other translations say, “Go, tell His disciples – especially Peter.” There was special concern for the man who had denied his Lord. “Make sure Peter knows that Jesus is alive.”

The new discovery for me this year was in Luke 24: 34, where the two followers of Jesus from Emmaus, after they recognize the Risen Lord, run back to Jerusalem, find the eleven and their companions, and say to them, “The Lord has risen indeed, and He has appeared to Simon!” Paul also mentions this special appearance of the Risen Jesus to Peter in his First Letter to the Corinthians. “He was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, and . . . he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve” (1 Corinthians 15: 4-5). According to John’s Gospel at the empty tomb on Easter Sunday morning Mary Magdalene saw the Risen Jesus, but Peter did not. He only saw an empty tomb. Sometime later on Easter Sunday Jesus made a special point of appearing to Peter.

Think of what that must have meant to Peter – to know that Jesus made a special point of appearing to him. Think of what it would have meant to the lamb in Jesus’ parable, if the lamb had been aware of what actually was going on – to know that the shepherd left behind the ninety-nine to go searching just for him.

What can it mean to all of us – with all the ways that we have failed our Lord – to know that Jesus wants to make sure that His message of mercy, grace, forgiveness, hope, and love also comes to each one of us?

Peter spent the rest of his life boldly proclaiming Christ. Why, then, did all four Gospel writers – when they were recording this part of Jesus’ story – include the account of Peter’s greatest failure as a disciple? The Gospels contain different parts of the story, but they all tell about the collapse of Peter’s courage and his denial of his Lord. Why? I believe that they all told this story because Peter himself told this story over and over again. Peter and the Gospel writers wanted us to see that we all are like Peter and have denied Jesus. We all have lived in ways that our inconsistent

with our pledge to follow Jesus. We all have had moments when our witness or example was needed, but we remained silent and did nothing.

Peter’s story shows us that we do not need to be defined by our failures. God does not look at us in terms of the worst thing we have ever done. Jesus uses flawed disciples. And sometimes He uses us even more profoundly and powerfully, not merely in spite of our flaws and failures but because of them.

As I ponder all this, I become very sad as I think about the way that in some churches the main and sometimes the only message the people hear is about social, gender, and climate justice. People are continually told to grovel, repent, confess, and resist all forms of racism, sexism, male dominance, white supremacy, xenophobia (fear of foreigners), homophobia, transphobia, and Islamophobia. In other churches it is not quite so bad. The main and sometimes the only message that people hear is that they need to do good. Every Sunday they are told they need to do more good. The problem is that none of us is able to do enough good.

I was very saddened while watching a summary video from the ELCA of the ELCA’s 2024 Youth Gathering. The only time that Jesus was mentioned in the video is when the host bishop of the host synod described our Risen Lord as “the Jesus who calls us to challenge systems of oppression and power.” It was distressing to think that this was the main message about Jesus that was being given to fifteen thousand young people.

As I realize that I too have been like Peter and have disappointed and denied my Lord, I need to know that Jesus still loves me, forgives me, has a place for me within His Kingdom, and will make sure that I get word that He is alive. I do not need – I am not helped, healed, and encouraged by – a Jesus through the lens of Marxism, critical race theory, and DEIA.

Because of your faithful prayer and generous financial support we are able to continue our work of being a Voice for Biblical Truth and a Network for Confessing Lutherans. We are able to continue giving witness to the truth of the Gospel, alerting people to ways in which the Gospel is being undermined and even rejected in some parts of the church, and providing support and resources for individuals, pastors, lay leaders, and congregations.

Please find below links you can use to give a gift towards our regular operating expenses. Please also let us know how we can be praying for you. Thank you for your partnership in the Gospel, as we serve the Risen Lord Jesus, Who forgives and restores people today just as He did for Peter.

Dennis D. Nelson
Executive Director of Lutheran CORE
P.O. Box 1741
Wausau WI 54402-1741

“They were on the road going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking on ahead of them; and they were amazed, and those who followed were fearful. And again He took the twelve aside and began to tell them what was going to happen to Him, saying, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death and will hand Him over to the Gentiles” (Mark 10:32-33).

Jesus knows what is coming.  He and the Father are One.  Although He limited Himself to time, He knew that He was going to the cross for our sake.  It is a fearful thing in this world.  It is an even more fearful thing to know you are in the Lord’s hands.  We will make the choices we make, but the Lord knows the outcome of all things.  This world betrays and our Lord has come to save us from all betrayals.

I see the world around me which I can touch, see, hear, and smell.  I become afraid with the thoughts of this world which I see is being shaken.  Maybe that is why so many do not like history.  The world is constantly shaken.  Then I hear of Jesus being crucified and I wonder, “How can salvation come by defeat?”  But what was defeated?  Death was defeated because Jesus rose from the dead.  Death does not win, life does.

Lord Jesus, You have spoken the words that lead to eternal life.  You have told us of things that would happen and they did.  You have come to save us.  I may have fear and not understand, but You have come bringing life to light.  Help me to stand in Your light trusting that You have come to reveal all things according to the Father’s purpose.  Help me to humbly walk with You wherever You lead.  Amen.

“But many who are first will be last, and the last, first” (Mark 10:31).

In this world we are told to do whatever it takes to get ahead.  There is so much selfishness, which shows up in shoddy work and indifference.  The is much hostility on the streets of our towns and cities.  Jesus tells us to place ourselves behind and under others, seeing them as more important than ourselves.  When we get out of ourselves we begin to see that we are a part of and not the center of the world.  We begin to see the Lord for who He is.

Lord, only one can be first and only one the last.  Being with You in eternity, does it really matter who is last?  From my perspective of time, the first joined You long ago.  Help me to understand the nonsense of position that creates all kinds of devilishness.  You are the Lord and You have created me.  Help me to look to You and to be content with whom You are making me to be.

Lord Jesus, these are such simple words that have so much weight.  Guide me so that I may humbly fall into place wherever You place me.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy to know more fully the truth of what You are teaching me.  Then, help me to truly live into the truth that You have revealed.  I am Yours because You have redeemed me.  Lead me on the path You have chosen and with the place which You have determined for me.  Amen.   

“Jesus said, “Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for My sake and for the gospel’s sake, but that he will receive a hundred times as much now in the present age, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, along with persecutions; and in the age to come, eternal life” (Mark 10:29-30).

To what can we compare the gift of the life we have been given in Christ?  What has more value than being whom we were created to be?  The world scrambles to gain and in the end gives it all away.  Those who come into salvation are given life with true meaning.  How can these things be compared.  They cannot, for this is the road of salvation and those who listen to Jesus are taken down the eternal road.

Lord, help me to comprehend what has true and lasting value.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy to understand that in You alone is there hope and a future.  The things of this world shall pass away, but what You give is forever.  Lead me in the way of true living so that I may grow into the likeness of a child of the Heavenly Father.  You know what that means.  Help me to not stop nor be hindered by anything in this world to become what You are making of me.

My Lord and Savior, You must lead me.  You will add what needs to be added and You will take away what must be taken away.  Guide me in Your goodness to humbly submit and follow where You lead.  You alone are the One who knows all that is needed.  Help me to trust You above all things.  Guide me today dear Lord and help me to live with the right choices You set before me.  Amen.

“Peter began to say to Him, “Behold, we have left everything and followed You” (Mark 10:28).

What was the everything they were talking about?  Often it is not the outward things, but the inward things that need to be left behind.  As the story of the disciples unfolded, they would, in fact, shed even more and last of all their lives for the sake of the Gospel.  Jesus is the author of our faith and it comes one day at a time.  Walk in the way of Jesus and He will do all that is needed for your sake.

Lord, I often think I know all that is going on.  I do not.  There is a reason we call it being saved.  The one being saved does not know anything other than that the impossible situation is resolved by another.  You are the One who must save.  You know all that I need to be saved from.  Save me Lord and help me when I think that I have gone the distance I need to go.  Lead me all the way in salvation.

Lord Jesus, there are days when I wonder if anyone can be saved.  There are other days when I think many if not most will make it.  Lord, take me out of my own thinking.  You alone know who are Yours.  Lead me in the way of the new life You have given me so that I may humbly walk according to Your leading.  You alone know all that is needed for my life.  Guide me in Your grace and mercy to humbly follow where You lead.  Amen.

“It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”  They were even more astonished and said to Him, “Then who can be saved?”  Looking at them, Jesus said, “With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God” (Mark 10:25-26).

What do you cling to in this world?  Holding on to things is often the baggage that gets in the way.  Jesus tells us we need to let go of everything, even ourselves, and trust Him.  We cannot do it, but by the power of the Holy Spirit, He we give us the ability to do what is needed.  The hardest part of this is what the Lord does for us.  To what will you cling that is more important than who You are being created to be?

Lord, I do understand this, for there are many things to which I cling.  You know what they are.  I cannot do this on my own.  I need to be saved and that is what You came to do.  Help me to shed all that needs to be shed.  Help me to become what You are making of me, for that is what You, the Author of my faith, does.  Lead me into the righteousness You know I will gain for Your name’s sake.  Lead me my Lord and Savior.

Dear Jesus, You have said these words and deep in my soul there are places of resistance.  Guide me up and out of these places to lay everything at Your feet.  To what can I cling that is of more value than You and the life You have and are giving me?  Turn my heart so that I see that my wealth is in You.  The things of this world will pass away, but You are forever.  Guide me into forever Lord Jesus.  Amen.

And Jesus, looking around, said to His disciples, “How hard it will be for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God!”  The disciples were amazed at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!” (Mark 10:23-24)

To be wealthy in this world is to accumulate many things.  One who is a steward may be in charge of many things, but the steward knows it belongs to someone else.  It is hard to give up ownership until you realize that it truly is not yours.  That is the place where you begin to understand the truth and know that you are not your own, but belong to the One who made you.  Whom will you serve?  Truth or the illusion of self?  How hard it is.

Lord, You call us Your children.  You have made us a part of Your family.  I am not my own, but belong to You.  Guide me so that I do not act as my own, but as one who belongs to You.  Lead me in the way of everlasting life so that I live in the reality of truth.  All that I have has been entrusted to me and I shall leave it behind when this life is done.  Guide me into all truth and teach me how to live truthfully.

Lord Jesus, You have come so that we may have true life and have it abundantly.  Lead me through the obstacles that get in the way.  Help me to understand that all that I have is mine in stewardship.  Teach me to let go and trust You for all things.  You are the One who has provided for me throughout my life.  You are the entrance to eternal life.  Let nothing get in the way of my being with You.  Amen.

“Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him and said to him, “One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”  But at these words he was saddened, and he went away grieving, for he was one who owned much property” (Mark 10:21-22).

One thing you lack.  Those are words we do not want to hear.  But listen to what Jesus says.  The rich man is rich in his own mind and this hinders him.  Where is it you lack?  What is it that hinders you from living fully in the Lord’s kingdom?  What has more value to you here?  We are to love, fear, trust, and seek the Lord above everything else.  Whatever might get in the way needs to go.

Lord God Almighty, all things are Yours, for You created them.  For a time, we have possession of things, but we will leave them behind.  I have scrambled and sought and clung to what I have gained, but what is that compared to the eternal life that You offer?  Lead me out of the pit of delusion to have the right priorities so that I may live into the life You are giving me.  Guide me in the way of salvation.

Salvation incarnate, Jesus my Lord and Help in every time of trouble, help me to see the true state of my soul.  With faith, grace, and mercy, guide me along right paths for Your name’s sake.  Help me to leave behind all that has brought me to this point, both the bad and the good.  Help me to pick up my cross today and walk with You wherever You will take me.  Guide me out of the pit of this age and into the light of Your glory.  Amen.