October 5, 2025 – LWML Sunday Text: Luke 24:44-53
Dear Friends in Christ,
As you traverse through life you have those moments of meeting someone that stick out in your mind. The time you met your spouse, the time you got to hold your child, the person who gave you a new insight on something. Or maybe there was a person in your life whose witness moved you to change the direction you were going in life. These moments have you wondering – when will I meet that person again?
In our Gospel reading on this Lutheran Women’s Missionary League Sunday, we are at the scene of the Ascension of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Think of what has happened in the recent past. Forty days earlier Jesus was on the cross suffering and dying. His body was beat up from the beatings and the crucifixion. Even worse the wrath of the whole world was placed on His shoulders because of our sin. In the midst of the agony these words, “It is finished.” Then this, “and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” The body is taken down, wrapped in linen and placed in a tomb. The followers of Jesus had to be thinking, when will we meet Him again? Three days later was the answer. He had risen victorious. Jesus had defeated death for you and me.
In the next forty days He would meet with His followers. Remind them that He had conquered the grave. These forty days must have been inspiring. It left them wondering, “where will Jesus meet us next? What joy awaits us?”
“Jesus parted from them.” He ascended into heaven. They stood there thinking . . .
“WHEN WILL WE MEET HIM AGAIN?”
Through the witness of Scripture Jesus did not appear to them again bodily on earth. He did not leave them without His presence. He didn’t leave them without being a part of their lives.
At the ascension, Jesus had given them an assignment to carry out. This would occupy their time, talent, and treasure. “Repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations.” This same proclamation comes to you.
Do you ever wonder where Jesus will meet again with you? Are you struggling with doubts about the faith? Questioning how God can love and care for you? Where will Christ meet me and come to my aid? You are called to repent. You cannot reconcile yourself to God. By your works there is no peace with God. Only through Jesus can you have peace and comfort.
As they returned to Jerusalem that day they pondered when they would meet Jesus again. He came to them in the breaking of bread. He joined with them in the waters of Holy Baptism. He came to them through the spoken Word. He came to them in the Means of Grace. Dear believer, the same is true for you today. You don’t have to search for Jesus. He is right here and coming to you in your life.
Jesus meets you in His Holy Supper. Shed body and blood for forgiveness. He meets you in the waters of Holy Baptism. You were baptized into the Lord’s death and raised into the Lord’s life. In God’s Word He meets you. “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth.” Christ Jesus gives true life, He meets with you.
As you know dear people of God there are many who do not meet with this Lord to know Him as their loving and gracious Savior. Where can the Holy Spirit guide you to meet with them? Where can the Lord use you to introduce them to this salvation giving Savior?
You have a partner in this work. Your LWML works to carry the Gospel to those very people who need to meet this Lord Jesus Christ. Here is just a glimpse of where and what they are involved in. Training Pastors in the US and Africa. Helping Orphans in Ukraine, Haiti, and Nebraska. Mission work in Asia, Tanzania, Dominican Republic, Honduras, and Wichita, Kansas. Helping prisoners in the USA and raising up High School age young people in South Dakota to be the Christian leaders of the next generation. Locally, we gathered health care kits that will be used around the world. Your contribution to the LWML mite box helps to fund all these missions to the tune of over 2 million dollars in the next 3 years.
All of this work helps people to meet the Lord. Until we have the face-to-face meeting with Him, there is work to do. Through our actions and our offerings, Spirit led, may we make a difference.
Amen.