Shepherd Notes April 2026
“Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. . Acts 2:29-31
With Jesus’ death and burial, the devil hoped that he had forever silenced our Lord. He hoped that he had subverted God’s plan of salvation when the nails pierced Jesus’ hands and feet, and when in the darkness of Good Friday, the Crucified One breathed His last.
But as King David in his role as prophet foresaw and wrote about in Psalm 16, Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the LORD, “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.” As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight. The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply; their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out or take their names on my lips. The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Jesus was not abandoned to the grave. His body did not see eternal death and decay. Instead, Jesus rose from the tomb on Easter Sunday shattering the devil’s wicked hopes.
Fifty days after Easter on the Day of Pentecost, Peter proclaimed the truth that Christ had been, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. (Acts 2:23). Yet it was also a part of God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge that our Savior’s journey would not end on Good Friday with the cross and the grave. The darkness of death and the tomb could not overcome Him. The crucified Christ rose victoriously on Easter Sunday and is alive now and forever. Peter said, This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. (Acts 2:32).
Let us joyously remember now and throughout the Easter season:
Vain the stone, the watch, the seal; Christ hath burst the gates of hell.
Death in vain forbids His rise; Christ has opened paradise.
Lives again our glorious King! Where, O death, is now thy sting?
Once He died our souls to save; Where thy victory, O grave? LSB 469:3-4
We are united with Christ in Holy Baptism. And because He lives, we too shall rise from death and live eternally in the freedom, joy, and gladness of heaven. Thanks be to God that Jesus has won for us, His church, the wondrous gifts of abundant mercy, certain hope, and an everlasting future! Happy and Blessed Eastertide!!
Pastor Brian