Devotion Archive

Week of March 22, 2010

March Madness is upon us.  Round 1 of the NCAA Men’s Basketball tournament is complete, and images of both heart breaking defeats (Maryland! Ouch!) and heart lifting victories (way to go Murray State Racers!) abound.

One of the most appealing aspects of this tournament is the possibility of seeing an underdog school (such as the Northern Iowa Panthers) become victorious against all odds.  For many people, deep down, it might bring a feeling of hope.  If the Northern Iowa Panthers can beat top seeded Kansas, maybe I can overcome some hurdles this week, too.

But for God’s children, we can look to a far greater source of inspiration than a basketball tournament.  When we feel like a “16 seed” in life so to speak, when we feel like the odds of getting through our problems are too great, when we, to be blunt, feel like “losers”, we need to look no further than these words in Romans 8: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?  Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? . . . No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” (verses 35 and 37).

You and I are “more than conquerors” through Jesus!  We win!  While it is true that we might not always feel that way or even look that way as we struggle and suffer under the weight of our crosses, it is also true that the victory is already ours.  2,000 years ago Jesus rode into Jerusalem in the midst of Passover madness, died on a cross, and walked out of a grave to win for you the forgiveness of every sin and to make your earthly death merely the start of your victory celebration in heaven.

We’re going to celebrate that victory this Sunday, Palm Sunday, as we see Jesus victoriously ride into Jerusalem to make us eternal winners.  Until then, may you live like the conqueror – like the winner – that God has made you today.

Celebrating victory with you,

Pastor Jon Bergemann

Weekly Devotions are taken from Trinity's“Screenside Chat”, a weekly email devotion and newsletter from Pastor Bergemann designed to give you a spiritual boost from your Savior while keeping you connected to your Trinity family. 

Contact Pastor Jon Bergemann if you are interested in knowing more about Trinity Lutheran Church.

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