Reflections
Join HT for a reading of the days Higher Things Reflection. A short devotion directed toward the youth of our church, written by the Pastors and Deaconesses of our church, clearly proclaiming the true Gospel of Jesus Christ! Find out more about HT at our website, www.higherthings.org
Monday in Holy Week
Today's Reading: John 12:1-36 (37-43)
Daily Lectionary: Exodus 9:1-28; Lamentations 1:1-22; Hebrews 2:1-18
“His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him.” (John 12:16)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
The ministry of Jesus subverts expectations so often that it is almost a cliché. Throughout his ministry, those whom you expect him to condemn, he instead commends; those you expect him to re...
Palm Sunday, Palmarum
Today's Reading: Matthew 26:1-27 or Matthew 27:11-54
Daily Lectionary: Exodus 8:1-32; Psalm 118; Hebrews 1:1-14
“Then Jesus said to him, ‘Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?’” (Matthew 26:52-53)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
It’s a response that makes sense to all of us. Of course, we would defe...
Saturday of the Fifth Week in Lent
March 28, 2026
Today's Reading: Introit for Palm Sunday - Psalm 22:1, 7-8, 11; antiphon: Psalm 22:19, 21
Daily Lectionary: Exodus 7:1-25; Mark 16:1-20
“But you, O Lord, do not be far off! O you my help, come quickly to my aid!” (Psalm 22:19)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
The harvest full moon is one of creation's most profound optical illusions. As the moon comes up over the horizon, it looks daunting. The moon looks like it is bigger than the sun, and the...
Friday of the Fifth Week in Lent
March 27, 2026
Today's Reading: Mark 15:33-47
Daily Lectionary: Exodus 5:1-6:1; Mark 15:33-47
“And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?’ which means, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’” (Mark 15:34)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
The final words of Christ make a declaration. Christ is truly alone with the weight of all the sins of all people from all time bearing down upon him. He has completed the requirements o...
Thursday of the Fifth Week in Lent
March 26, 2026
Today's Reading: Catechism: Close of the Commandments
Daily Lectionary: Exodus 4:19-31; Mark 15:16-32
He says: “I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love Me and keep My Commandments.” (Exodus 20:5-6) (The Close of the Commandments,Luther’s Small Catechism, pg. 15)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Ou...
The Annunciation of Our Lord
March 25, 2026
Today's Reading: Luke 1:26-38
Daily Lectionary: Exodus 4:1-18; Mark 15:1-15
“And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.” (Luke 1:31)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Merry Christmas! We are just a few days away from Palm Sunday and Holy Week. We are concluding the 40 days of Lent, and we hear those words that are far from our thoughts and lips. Merry Christmas! It is a stra...
Tuesday of the Fifth Week in Lent
March 24, 2026
Today's Reading: Hebrews 9:11-15
Daily Lectionary: Exodus 2:23-3:22; Mark 14:53-72
“But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come…he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.” (Hebrews 11a, 12)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
The author of Hebrews presents the work of Christ through one of the th...
Monday of the Fifth Week in Lent
March 23, 2026
Today's Reading: Genesis 22:1-14
Daily Lectionary: Exodus 2:1-22; Mark 14:32-52
“Then God said, ‘Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.’”(Genesis 22:2)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Abraham is asked to make the ultimate sacrifice. He is asked to sacrifice his only son, whom he has waited years to receive. Now God says you are...
Fifth Sunday in Lent, Judica
March 22, 2026
Today's Reading: John 8:(42-45) 46-59
Daily Lectionary: Exodus 1:1-22; Mark 14:12-31
“Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.’” (John 8:58)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Jesus’ interaction with the “Jews who believed in him” (John 8:31) comes to a boiling point in the temple. He is accused of having a demon, and He accuses the Jews of being in league with satan, the father of lies. He calls them liars. The vol...
Saturday of the Fourth Week in Lent
Today's Reading: Introit for Lent 5 - Psalm 43:3-5; antiphon: Psalm 43:1-2a
Daily Lectionary: Genesis 49:29-50:7, 14-26; Mark 14:1-11
“Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling!” (Psalm 43:3)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Tomorrow we enter Passiontide - the final two weeks of the Lenten season. The light and truth of God’s Word have guided us through this season, reminding us of all that Jesus has do...
Friday of the Fourth Week in Lent
Today's Reading: Catechism: Tenth Commandment
Daily Lectionary: Genesis 47:1-31; Genesis 48:1-49:28; Mark 13:24-37
Urge them to stay and do their duty. (Small Catechism)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
I have found it helpful when trying to understand a word or concept to try to consider its opposite. So what’s the opposite of coveting? Contentment. Instead of an unhealthy obsession with what I do not have, to be content or satisfied with what I do have, with what I’ve been give...
St. Joseph, Guardian of Jesus
Today's Reading: Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23
Daily Lectionary: Genesis 45:1-20, 24-28; Mark 13:1-23
“So that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled.” (Matthew 2:23)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
This was the second time an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. The first was after Joseph discovered that his betrothed, Mary, was having a child that was not his. He resolved to divorce her quietly until the angel explained that Mary had not been unfaithful to him, but...
Wednesday of the Fourth Week in Lent
Today's Reading: Mark 12:28-44
Daily Lectionary: Genesis 44:1-18, 32-34; Mark 12:28-44
“She out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.” (Mark 12:44b)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
When you think of role models, poor widows are not the first thing that pops into your mind. Maybe a teacher, someone who goes out of their way to help others, or someone who leads in the face of danger. In Jesus’ day, the scribes would be the...
Tuesday of the Fourth Week in Lent
Today's Reading: Galatians 4:21-31 or Acts 2:41-47
Daily Lectionary: Genesis 43:1-28; Mark 12:13-27
“So, brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman.” (Galatians 4:31)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Abraham had two wives, Hagar and Sarah. Sarah was his first wife. And to Abraham and Sarah, God promised a son. Though they were old and past the age people usually have children, God promised. And they believed God. But as the years went by and still no son...
Monday of the Fourth Week in Lent
Today's Reading:Exodus 16:2-21 or Isaiah 49:8-13
Daily Lectionary: Genesis 42:1-34, 38; Mark 12:1-12
“Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you.’” (Exodus 16:4)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
It was supposed to be great. They were no longer slaves. God had brought them out of Egypt with His mighty arm, ten plagues, and by dividing the waters of the Red Sea. They were on their way to a better life.
Exc...
Fourth Sunday in Lent, Laetare
March 15, 2026
Today's Reading: John 6:1-15
Daily Lectionary: Genesis 41:28-57; Mark 11:20-33
“Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted.” (John 6:11)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
I wish I had been there. Jesus fed 5,000 people with five loaves of bread and two fish. How great is that? The people there that day thought so. They all ate—all they wanted. Jesus was healing the si...
Saturday of the Third Week in Lent
March 14, 2026
Today's Reading: Introit for Lent 4 - Psalm 122:1-2, 6, 8; antiphon: Isaiah 66:10a, 11a
Daily Lectionary: Genesis 41:1-27; Mark 11:1-19
“I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the LORD!’” (Psalm 122:1)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Guess what you get to do tomorrow? You get to go to church!
When I was younger, I’d ask my dad, “Do we have to go to church?” He’d always answer the same way: “No, but you get to go to ch...
Friday of the Third Week in Lent
March 13, 2026
Today's Reading: Mark 10:32-52
Daily Lectionary: Genesis 40:1-23; Mark 10:32-52
“And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, ‘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?’ And they said to him, ‘Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.’” (Mark 10:35-38)
In the Name + of Jesus...
Thursday of the Third Week in Lent
March 12, 2026
Today's Reading: Catechism: Ninth Commandment
Daily Lectionary: Genesis 39:1-23; Mark 10:13-31
“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not scheme to get our neighbor’s inheritance or house, or get it in a way which only appears right, but help and be of service to him in keeping it.” (Small Catechism: Ninth Commandment and Meaning)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Coveting is dangerous. Jesus wa...
Wednesday of the Third Week in Lent
March 11, 2026
Today's Reading: Mark 10:1-12
Daily Lectionary: Genesis 37:1-36; Mark 10:1-12
“‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” (Mark 10:7-9)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
What is your favorite thing to see at a wedding? Is it seeing the Bride in her dress? Seeing friends and family coming together...
Tuesday of the Third Week in Lent
March 10, 2026
Today's Reading: Ephesians 5:1-9
Daily Lectionary: Genesis 35:1-29; Mark 9:33-50
“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Ephesians 5:1-2)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
You don’t even need to look at the scientific research (although there is much!) to know that most of a child’s learning comes through imitation. Infants...
Monday of the Third Week in Lent
March 9, 2026
Today's Reading: Exodus 8:16-24 or Jeremiah 26:1-15
Daily Lectionary: Genesis 29:1-30; Genesis 29:31-34:31; Mark 9:14-32
“Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Rise up early in the morning and present yourself to Pharaoh, as he goes out to the water, and say to him, “Thus says the Lord, ‘Let my people go, that they may serve me. Or else, if you will not let my people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies on you and your servants and your people, and into your houses. And the hous...
Third Sunday in Lent, Oculi
March 8, 2026
Today's Reading: Luke 11:14-28
Daily Lectionary: Genesis 27:30-45; 28:10-22; Mark 9:1-13
“As he said these things, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, ‘Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed!’ But he said, ‘Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!’” (Luke 11:27-28)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
What does it mean to “keep” God’s Word? Indeed, there is some element of observi...
Saturday of the Second Week in Lent
March 7, 2026
Today's Reading: Introit for Lent 3 - Psalm 25:1-2, 17-18, 20; antiphon: Psalm 25:15-16
Daily Lectionary: Genesis 27:1-29; Mark 8:22-38
“To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.” (Psalm 25:1)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
O Lord, to You I lift up my soul. I trust in You. Yes, my life rests on You, for You are the unshakable foundation. That’s what my Baptism tells me. I have been put into You, my Mighty Fortress. Sin, Death, a...
Friday of the Second Week in Lent
March 6, 2026
Today's Reading: Mark 8:1-21
Daily Lectionary: Genesis 24:32-52, 61-67; Genesis 25:1-26:35; Mark 8:1-21
“And his disciples answered him, ‘How can one feed these people with bread here in this desolate place?’” (Mark 8:4)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
We can be so forgetful when it comes to our Lord’s compassion towards us, can’t we? We’re not alone! What good company we have with the disciples! They got forgetful, too. Only two chapters earlier, the Lord fed five thousand...
Thursday of the Second Week in Lent
March 5, 2026
Today's Reading: Catechism: Eighth Commandment
Daily Lectionary: Genesis 24:1-31; Mark 7:24-37
“We should fear and love God so that we do not tell lies about our neighbor, betray him, slander him, or hurt his reputation, but defend him, speak well of him, and explain everything in the kindest way.” (Luther’s meaning for the Eighth Commandment)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
The Eighth Commandment! Thanks be to God for this commandment and Luther’s explan...
Wednesday of the Second Week in Lent
March 4, 2026
Today's Reading: Mark 7:1-23
Daily Lectionary: Genesis 22:1-19; Mark 7:1-23
“And he said, ‘What comes out of a person is what defiles him.’” (Mark 7:20)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
The topic of food can get complicated these days with all of the diets out there: keto, carnivore, Mediterranean, vegetarian, gluten-free, etc. In Jesus’ day, food was a controversial topic. Lines were drawn in the sand. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. There was a food...
Tuesday of the Second Week in Lent
March 3, 2026
Today's Reading: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-7 or Romans 5:1-5
Daily Lectionary: Genesis 21:1-21; Mark 6:35-56
“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Through! What a tiny preposition, but that preposition is Good News for you! Paul states that “we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1b) Peace with God is not through our brains and brawn, our achievements and accomplishments, our degre...
Monday of the Second Week in Lent
March 2, 2026
Today's Reading: Genesis 32:22-32
Daily Lectionary: Genesis 18:1-15; Genesis 18:16-20:18; Mark 6:14-34
“Then he said, ‘Let me go, for the day has broken.’ But Jacob said, ‘I will not let you go unless you bless me.’” (Genesis 32:26)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
What a wrestling match in Genesis 32! Not the one we would expect. Wasn’t the Lord on Jacob’s side? Yes, but here it appeared that the Lord was Jacob’s adversary. Not exactly what Jacob probably wante...
Second Sunday in Lent, Reminiscere
March 1, 2026
Today's Reading: Matthew 15:21-28
Daily Lectionary: Genesis 16:1-9, 15-17:22; Mark 6:1-13
“And [Jesus] answered, ‘It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.’” (Matthew 15:26)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Jesus calls her what?!? A dog! What many Jews labeled the Canaanites! Looks like a roadblock! A wall! This mommy doesn’t slink away, though, with her tail between her legs. Not defeated. What appears to be a pure “NO”, she hears as a “NO” that h...
Saturday of the First Week in Lent
February 28, 2026
Today's Reading: Introit for Lent 2 - Psalm 25:1-2a, 7-8, 11; antiphon: Psalm 25:6, 2b, 22
Daily Lectionary: Genesis 15:1-21; Mark 5:21-43
“Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for the sake of your goodness, O Lord!” (Psalm 25:7)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Did you know that a person’s brain doesn’t fully develop until about the age of twenty-five? David must have known this as well...
Friday of the First Week in Lent
February 27, 2026
Today's Reading: Mark 5:1-20
Daily Lectionary: Genesis 13:1-18; Genesis 14:1-24; Mark 5:1-20
“And crying out with a loud voice, he said, ‘What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?’” (Mark 5:7a)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
“Jesus is my homeboy.” Have you ever heard anyone say something like that? Yes, Jesus took on human flesh, but does that make Him a fun-loving buddy you’d like to hang out with at the roller rink on...
Thursday of the First Week in Lent
February 26, 2026
Today's Reading: Catechism: Seventh Commandment
Daily Lectionary: Genesis 11:27-12:20; Mark 4:21-41
“We should fear and love God so that we do not take our neighbor’s money or possessions, or get them in any dishonest way, but help him to improve and protect his possessions and income.” (Luther’s Small Catechism, The Seventh Commandment - What does this mean?)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
The letter of the law says, “You shall not steal.” (That’s in Exodus 20:15 by the way. Go...
Wednesday of the First Week in Lent
February 25, 2026
Today's Reading: Hebrews 4:14-16
Daily Lectionary: Genesis 8:13-9:17; Genesis 9:18-11:26; Mark 4:1-20
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
It could be argued that the best coaches in professional sports are the ones who’ve been athletes on the field. Vince Lombardi, one of the greatest NFL coaches of all...
St. Matthias, Apostle
February 24, 2026
Today's Reading: Matthew 11:25-30
Daily Lectionary: Genesis 7:11-8:12; Mark 3:20-35
“Jesus declared, ‘Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.’” (Matthew 11:28)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Our bodies need rest. Your brain can only study for so long before you need a break. Your voice can only practice singing for so long before it starts to get strained. Your muscles can only work out for so long before they get...
Monday of the First Week in Lent
February 23, 2026
Today's Reading: Genesis 3:1-21
Daily Lectionary: Genesis 6:1-7:5; Mark 3:1-19
“And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.” (Genesis 3:8)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Have you ever played hide and seek with a toddler? They’re not very good at it. Either...
First Sunday in Lent, Invocavit
February 22, 2026
Today's Reading: Matthew 4:1-11
Daily Lectionary: Genesis 4:1-26; Mark 2:18-28
“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.” (Matthew 4:1)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Because of our sinful nature, it doesn't always take a whole lot of prodding from Satan for us to succumb to temptation.
Are you ever tempted by selfishness? After all, look at how much you've sacrificed for others.
<...
Saturday After Ash Wednesday
February 21, 2026
Today's Reading: Introit for Lent 1 - Psalm 91:1-2, 9-10, 13; antiphon: Psalm 91:15a, c, 16
Daily Lectionary: Genesis 3:1-24; Mark 2:1-17
“With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” (Psalm 91:16)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
I’m not from Missouri, but I know that Missouri is known as the “Show Me” state. You might know the phrase “actions speak louder than words.” We can say lots of things, but if our actions don’t support our word...
Friday After Ash Wednesday
February 20, 2026
Today's Reading: Mark 1:29-45
Daily Lectionary: Genesis 2:4-25; Mark 1:29-45
“And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.” (Mark 1:35)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Healings and more healings. This is what Jesus is doing. But amidst the healings is prayer. Jesus prays. We see this quite often with Jesus, that He goes off alone to pray. Sometimes it’s to pre...
Thursday After Ash Wednesday
February 19, 2026
Today's Reading: Catechism: Sixth Commandment
Daily Lectionary: Genesis 1:20-2:3; Mark 1:14-28
“You shall not commit adultery. What does this mean?” (Sixth Commandment, Luther’s Small Catechism)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
I have been a Lutheran for almost my whole life. I was baptized when I was just a couple of months old. I like to think of myself as a first-generation Lutheran because my mom and her whole family were Catholic until my brother and I were...
