Author Archives: J. David Bersagel

Jesus in custody Matthew 26:57-68 Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest… v. 57      Jesus says that when we visit the prisoner, we are visiting him.  How often do we stop to think that Jesus literally stands among the least of these–those arrested, those charged, and those found guilty?  He is betrayedContinue reading “Custody”

Jesus Heals Matthew 8:14-17 “He took our infirmities and bore our diseases.” v. 17b     Ask many children with a church background who Jesus is and what Jesus does, you will often hear them say, “Jesus saves our sins.”  This answer is incomplete, of course.  They miss the word “from,”  but even more miss the width of Jesus ministry.  RestoringContinue reading “Jesus heals”

Augusta Victoria Matthew 10:1-4 “A sign of hope in a troubled land.”    As Jesus carried out his healing ministry, he did so without regard to identity.  Jesus healed the child of the Syro-Phoenician woman.  Jesus relieved a demonic possessed man living in the Decapolis of his demons.  The daughter of a Roman Centurion revived at Jesus word.  In followingContinue reading “Sign of Hope”

. Transferred Colossians 1:3-14 He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.  v. 14      When I attended seminary, I spent my year of internship at Trinity Church in Owatonna, Minnesota.  Part of my learning was to visit twiceContinue reading “Transferred”

Raised from the Dead John 11:1-53 Lord, he whom you love is ill.  v. 3b      It’s not unusual for someone who becomes ill to wonder is God is punishing them in some way.  Their life may, in many ways, be exemplary.  They have exercised, eaten well, had a strong social and intellectual life, were emotionally stable and caredContinue reading “Lazarus”

The Road to Jericho Luke 10:25-37 Go and do likewise. v.37     Life is a road to Jericho.  Many dangers lie in wait along that road.  It is a road that passes through the shadow of the valley of death.  The shadow of the cross lies across it.      As a person who went to hospitals and nursing homes as partContinue reading “To Jericho”

Revival I Kings 17:17-24 The Lord listened to the voice of Elijah, the life of the child came back to him again, and he revived.  v. 22      We are again reminded that God is on the side of life.  In the second creation story in Genesis 2 God breathes the breath of life into the lump ofContinue reading “Revival”

The Bronze Serpent Numbers 21:4-9 “…look at the serpent of bronze and live.”  v. 9     One of the realities of life is that life is fragile.  That has come home to us now with the COVID-19 pandemic.  We do fear the evil that follows us through the valley of the shadow of death.  The forces of death are strong.  Disease,Continue reading “Snakes”

 Words vs. Works James 2:14-17 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have works?  If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill,” and yet you do notContinue reading “Works”

Got You Covered John 1:1-5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.  v. 5b      Lutheran World Relief meets the needs of people following a natural disaster, an armed conflict that creates refugees, or people living in poverty.   One of the basic ways of meeting those needs simply involves a quilt.  Here isContinue reading “Covered”