For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God. Now if it begins with us, what will be the end for those who disobey the gospel of God? 1 Peter 4:17 

Make no mistake, dear brothers and sisters, you will suffer for the sake of Christ. Temptations will come into your lives to test the length and depth and breadth of your faith. You will sway this way and that under them but will prevail if you are anchored in Christ’s righteousness. The heavy load of trials in this life will burden your steps, trials that range from failing health to enduring attacks on your faith. In the end, your God will use these to strengthen your trust in Him. 

On the last day, we will be judged. We will be acquitted of all charges against us. All of our sins, known and unknown, will be forgiven. The evil one will no longer be able to accuse us. Covered in Christ’s blood, we will be clean before Him. We will enter our eternal home not because we suffered trials, but because of the One in whom we trusted as we suffered. Judgment will begin with the household of God. 

But Peter’s question leaves a chill in our hearts. What will be the end for those who disobey the Gospel? What will be the end for those who rejected Christ as the Way and the Truth and the life? What will happen to those who caused us to suffer as they ridiculed us for believing in salvation through Jesus’ name alone? What will happen to those close to us who caused us to suffer by continuing to reject the hope we held out to them? 

As confidently and joyfully as we know the answer to what will happen to believers on the Last Day, we confidently and sorrowfully know what will happen to unbelievers on the Last Day. This is why Peter’s question chills our hearts. Those who rejected Christ will have no hope on the Last Day. In forced obedience, they will kneel before the Righteous King. Naked before Him, not covered in His blood, He will see only their sin and rebellion against Him. He will cast them into tortuous darkness for eternity. In Christian love, we should want this for no man or woman. 

What then are we to do, brothers and sisters, to answer our trembling conscience when we hear Peter’s question? Perhaps the Apostle Paul gives us the best answer: Make the most of every opportunity because the days are evil. Yes, we live in a world that is increasingly hostile to the Gospel. It is a world consumed with self-indulgent lust for everything vile to God. But it is also a mission field like none other we have had in history. 

Yes, we may be rejected a thousand times as we speak to family and friends and coworkers and neighbors about their need for the Savior. But maybe the thousand and first witness is the one through which the Holy Spirit will work. Don’t give up, dear fellow harvest workers. The field is riper than ever. The end of the harvest season draws nearer and nearer each day. Don’t give up until every last kernel is brought in, and the Lord of the Harvest calls you home. Blessings, 

Frank Van Brocklin 

Principal/Staff Minister

Coming up at Immanuel Lutheran School: 

❖ Next week is our final week for the school year. Everything for the school year is wrapping up quickly. 

❖ On Thursday, May 25, our K-8th grade students will have their final Accelerated Reading field trip to the Broadway Movie Theater after lunch. 

❖ In the evening, on Thursday. May 25, starting at 5:00, we will have our Celebration for 3K, 4K and Kindergarten. 

❖ Friday, May 26, is our end of the school year picnic as well as our last day for school registration for the 2023-2024 school year. Registration will take place starting at 10:30 AM. 

❖ School graduation will be on Sunday, May 28, during the 10:30 AM service. Our graduates this year are Kylie Niehausen and Savanna Bucki. Kindergarten through 7th grade classes will join in singing Go Now in Peace for our graduates.