March 23rd, 2026 Daily Devotion

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW 

BAPTIZING AND TEACHING

Matthew 28:19-20 “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”   

Faith in Jesus Christ saves. Faith is God’s gift. Therefore, those who believe in Jesus Christ have God to thank. The question is, how does God give faith to those who believe? 

God gives the gift of faith through means. Romans 10:17 says that “faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Peter says, “You have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God.” (1 Peter 1:23) Paul wrote to Titus, “He saved us. . . by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.” (Titus 3:3) Jesus said of the Lord’s Supper (Sacrament of the Altar) “This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Matthew 26:28) And, Peter wrote, “ . . . You were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. Jesus said, “truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” (John 3:5-6)

All of these passages agree that the Holy Spirit works faith in you. He does so through “means” which are God’s word, Holy Baptism, and the Lord’s Supper. Thus, theologians teach that these three are the means through which God gives you His undeserved love, forgiveness of sins, eternal life, and salvation. This is why Jesus said in His Great Commission that disciples are made through Baptizing and teaching. 

Prayer. Send Your Holy Spirit, O Lord, to work faith in the hearts of all who hear the gospel, are baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and receive the very body and blood of Jesus in, with and under the bread and wine of the Lord’s Supper. Amen. 

O Holy Spirit, enter in,
And in our hearts Your work begin,
Your dwelling place now make us.
Sun of the soul, O Light divine,
Around and in us brightly shine,
To joy and gladness wake us
That we may be
Truly living,  
To You giving
 Prayer unceasing
 And in love be still increasing. 

Give to Your Word impressive pow’r,
That in our hearts from this good hour
As fire it may be glowing,
That in true Christian unity
We faithful witnesses may be,
Your glory ever showing.
Hear us, cheer us
By Your teaching;
Let our preaching
And our labor
Praise You, Lord, and serve our neighbor. 

O mighty Rock, O source of life,
Let Your dear Word, in doubt and strife,
In us be strongly burning
That we be faithful unto death
And live in love and holy faith,  
From You true wisdom learning.    
Your grace and peace
On us shower:
 By Your power   
Christ confessing,
Let us see our Savior’s blessing.  

O Holy Spirit, Enter In // LSB 913

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