Even the one who is God Incarnate expected to suffer. He knew the depths of his coming sorrow. But he embraced it. For by it he would enter into his glory, namely, the glory of his office as our Savior. Any suggestion that he should do otherwise could come only from the devil. He who suffered the cross for us also has assured us that we too will suffer the cross in consequence of following him. It is likewise of the devil to expect that is should be otherwise. For to seek or expect escape from our cross ends in a denial of his cross and its saving benefit. Notice that Jesus promises his cross and the cross for the disciples at exactly that moment when their faith in him was most confident and secure. Moments of peace are moments of preparation for the cross, not ends in themselves.

Behold our humble Savior with his lowly Word. He endures it with patience and sadness that even his countrymen and relatives reject him; but still he continues to proclaim the Word. What a comfort to those who preach Jesus and his Word faithfully, and see few immediate results! Christ does not change the Word to become popular; for that would cost far too much—even the loss of our salvation. Jesus could not do many miracles near his home, because the people would not listen to the Word. Let us not repeat this latter monstrous crime, and so hinder that saving work of Christ and his Word in us.

Ezekiel 37:1-14

Acts 4:8-12
Peter tells the Jewish high council that Jesus lives and reigns as the Savior of all people. Peter quotes the prophecy in Psalm 118, which speaks of Christ as the stone that the builders rejected, who has become the capstone.

Pastor Clayton Welch Speaks on the Word of God from Jeremiah 31:31-34.The Lord promises a new covenant for his people, a covenant of the full and free forgiveness of sins. Through this covenant the Lord would set apart a holy people who would know him fully “from the least of them to the greatest.”

Jesus cleanses the temple at the beginning of his public ministry. When challenged to demonstrate his authority, Jesus made s veiled prediction of his death and resurrection.

This is an argument from the greater to the lesser. Since God is for us, and since he did not spare his own Son to free us from the condemnation of sin, non of the troubles we have in this life can separate us from God’s love.

Shortly after his baptism, Jesus returns to Galilee. He heals Peter’s mother-in-law, as well as the sick and demon-possessed, and he makes a preaching tour throughout the region. Jesus shows that the kingdom of God has come in might and mercy.