Lectio Concordia

Perfect Peace

Tuesday before the Second Sunday of Easter

Series: Lectio Concordia

April 22, 2025 By Rev. Mark Ryman

• Online jigsaw puzzle of today's reading • Index

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• Collect: We have never seen you, Lord Jesus, but we believe. Your word is enough for us to know that we have life and peace in your name only. Give us a full measure of your Spirit that we may share the peace of Christ with our world. Amen.

• Psalm 4:1–8

• Isaiah 26:1–6

• One should keep the promise in sight. Because of his promise, God wishes to be gracious and to justify for Christ’s sake — not because of the Law or our works. In this promise, timid consciences may seek reconciliation and justification. They ought to sustain themselves and be confident because of this promise of having a gracious God for Christ’s sake, because of his promise. Therefore, works can never make a conscience be at peace. Only the promise can. If, therefore, justification and peace of conscience must be sought somewhere other than in love and works, then love and works do not justify — even though they are virtues and pertain to the righteousness of the Law, in so far as they are a fulfilling of the Law. Obedience to the Law justifies by the righteousness of the Law. But this legal righteousness is not accepted by God unless on account of faith. Accordingly, it does not justify; nor does it reconcile, regenerate, or by itself render us acceptable before God. [The Defense of the Augsburg Confession, Church Fathers' and Paul's Affirmation of Justification by Faith]

• “Peace, Perfect Peace, in This Dark World of Sin,” Edward Henry Bickersteth Tune

Peace, perfect peace, in this dark world of sin?
The blood of Jesus whispers peace within.

Peace, perfect peace, by thronging duties pressed?
To do the will of Jesus, this is rest.

Peace, perfect peace, death shadowing us and ours?
Jesus has vanquished death and all its powers.

Peace, perfect peace, our future all unknown?
Jesus we know, and he is on the throne.

It is enough: earth’s struggles soon shall cease,
and Jesus call to heaven’s perfect peace.

• Benediction: May the God of all hope fill you with the joy and peace of faith, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope and rest in Christ’s peace. Amen.

• Memory Verse: Since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:1)

• Memory Verse Aid: SWHBJBF, WHPWG TOLJC. (R51)