God wants ALL people to be saved

“Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem.”

                                                                                                                                                                                                                Acts 9:13

Dear children of God converted in baptism:

 How can this be? That certainly must have been the question on the mind of Ananias when Jesus told him to go to Saul of Tarsus to place his hands on Saul and heal him of his blindness. Believers, such as Ananias, had gone out of their way to avoid this man. Saul was known for his pharisaical zeal. He had a reputation for arresting and imprisoning believers. His misplaced wrath fell upon women as well as men. Why then would Jesus want Ananias to heal Saul? Could a man such as Saul be redeemed?

 This question enters our lives as well when we look at the people of the world around us. We have to question ourselves when we doubt that someone could be redeemed. Our triage when considering who to heal with the gospel is not a matter of how worthy we consider the person to be. No one is worthy. Our triage is simply to know if they are hurting and need our help. Have they been blinded by worldly pursuits and vice? Are they trapped in the darkness of their own sin? If so, they need the Gospel. And through the Gospel they can be redeemed.

 Still not convinced? Take a look at your own life. Ask yourself the question: Am I worthy of redemption? This man Saul told us the truth in his epistles to the Romans that we are not. “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8, my favorite Bible verse) We were, and we are, sinners. We should be separated from God forever. Yet in his Son’s blood, we are redeemed from our sin debt.

How are we to respond to such great mercy, grace, and love? We tell others of this redemption. We do not worry about class, race, nationality, gender, personality, or behavior. We share Christ crucified because God wants all people to be saved. Blessings,

 Frank Van Brocklin Principal/Staff Minister

 Coming up in the near future for Immanuel Lutheran School:

 Friday, April 29 School Musical - 6:00 PM

 Saturday, April 30 Telling the Next Generation - Introductions start at 8:50 AM

 Monday, May 2 School Children Sing for Pastors’ Conference Opening Devotion

 Wednesday, May 4 Chapel - 8:30 AM - All are welcome to worship with us.

 Wednesday, May 4 Martin Luther College Day - Celebrating the 2022 graduates.

 Thursday, May 5 School Board - 6:00 PM

 Friday, May 6 NLHS Track Meet - 9:30 AM Start