Later, knowing that all was now completed ... Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, He bowed His head and gave up His Spirit. John 19:28a, 30b

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

The salvation story of Jesus Christ reaches around the world. So that the readers of our Daily Devotion may see the power of the Savior on a global scale, we have asked the volunteers of our International Ministry Centers to write our Friday devotions. We pray that the Spirit may touch your day through their words.

In Christ, I remain, His servant and yours,
Kenneth R. Klaus
Speaker of The Lutheran Hour



An American high school student won first prize at a science fair for his attempt to show how easily we can be misled by alarmists who practice junk science and spread fear.

In his project, he urged people to sign a petition which demanded strict control of "dihydrogen monoxide." The petition showed the compound's dangers:

1. Dihydrogen monoxide can cause excessive sweating and vomiting.

2. It is a major component in acid rain.

3. It can cause severe burns in its gaseous state.

4. It can cause asphyxiation if accidentally inhaled.

5. It can contribute to erosion of the environment.

6. It can decrease effectiveness of automobile brakes.

7. It has been found in tumors of terminal cancer patients.

Of the 50 people who were asked to sign the petition, 43 said, "yes"; six were undecided and only one knew another name for dihydrogen monoxide is ... water!

The title of his prize-winning project was "How Gullible Are We?"

The high-schooler showed how sad it is when people are gullible in regard to earthly things. I believe it's worse when we are gullible in regard to things spiritual -- things like the forgiveness which Jesus has won for us.

Truly, the devil would have us believe God cannot forgive us. That's simply not true. In John 19:28-30, the Lord lets us know He has already forgiven us. It's true. Because of His Son's sacrifice, suffering, death and resurrection, the Heavenly Father has wiped our slates clean.

That's the truth Jesus has won. That's the truth which Scripture shares when it records "... knowing that all was now completed ... when He had received the drink, Jesus said, 'It is finished.'"

How gullible are you? The devil, the world and our own sinful nature want us to believe the junk theology that says Jesus never finished the work of our redemption, that the Bible did not record it correctly, that we do not read it rightly, that it is too good to be true, that it does not impact or make a difference in life.

The devil is wrong. Jesus has said it and it is true: the work of winning your forgiveness and salvation is done. "It is finished."

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, for doing all that we could not, for giving Your life to redeem us, for finishing the job we could never have begun, our deepest thanks. In Your Name. Amen.

Biography of Author: Pastor Kevin Wendt led a team of volunteers from Concordia Lutheran Church, Fort Wayne, Indiana, to Thailand for the purpose of rebuilding boats which had been destroyed by the tsunami.


To learn more about our International Ministries, click here or visit www.lhmint.org.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: Proverbs 19-21    Acts 3

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