Lectio Concordia

On the Third Day – Holy Saturday

preparing for Easter

Series: Lectio Concordia

April 19, 2025 By Rev. Mark Ryman

• Online jigsaw puzzle of today's reading • Index

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• Collect: We thank you, Heavenly Father, that you did not abandon your Son to the pit, nor allow him to undergo decay, but that you raised him up on that third day as promised. We give you thanks that because of the great power at work in him, who is also at work in us who believe, you will also raise us up at the last trumpet to be with you forever. Amen.

• Psalm 30:1–12

• Exodus 19:16–20

• Before the Council of Nicaea, some observed Easter at one time and others at another time. This lack of uniformity did no injury to faith. After the assembly, a plan was adopted by which our Passover (Easter) did not fall at the same time as that of the Jewish Passover. The apostles had commanded the churches to observe the Passover with the brethren who had been converted from Judaism. So, after the Synod of Nicaea, certain nations held firmly to the custom of observing the Jewish time. The apostles did not wish to make demands of the churches with this decree, as the words of the decree testify. It urges no one to be troubled, even though his brethren, in observing Easter, do not compute the time correctly. The words of the decree are recorded by Epiphanius: “Do not calculate, but celebrate whenever your brethren of the circumcision do. Celebrate it at the same time with them, and even though they may be mistaken, do not let this be a concern to you. [The Defense of the Augsburg Confession, The Church]

• "Christ the Lord is Risen Today," Charles Wesley Tune

Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!
Earth and heaven in chorus say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia!

Love's redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids him rise, Alleluia!
Christ has opened paradise, Alleluia!

Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Once he died our souls to save, Alleluia!
Where's thy victory, boasting grave? Alleluia!

Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia!
Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like him, like him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!

Hail the Lord of earth and heaven, Alleluia!
Praise to thee by both be given, Alleluia!
Thee we greet triumphant now, Alleluia!
Hail the Resurrection, thou, Alleluia!

King of glory, soul of bliss, Alleluia!
Everlasting life is this, Alleluia!
Thee to know, thy power to prove, Alleluia!
Thus to sing, and thus to love, Alleluia!

• Benediction: May you be gifted with faith to believe the ancient mystery: that the Son of God was raised from the dead and is calling you to join him in his eternal kingdom. Amen.

• Memory Verse: Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9)

• Memory Verse Aid: BIYCWYM TJIL ABIYH TGRHFTD, YWBS. (R109)