Sharing What's Really Important

Wednesday, April 8, 2026

Living in the Peace and Joy and Victory of Jesus’ Death and Resurrection!

We had a great Holy Week and Easter celebration where I am currently serving as part-time assistant pastor. Among the things for which I am thankful: The final Lenten Service was extremely well attended. Worship attendance was up for all Holy Week Services. The Easter Breakfast was bursting at the seams. The Easter Egg hunt was the largest in years, and I did not see any tears. The music was spectacular. God’s word spoke effectively for many to whom I talked. There is a LOT for which I am grateful as God’s people remembered Jesus’s death and resurrection for our salvation.

So . . . does that mean that Easter is over for another year? If you and your congregation follow the lectionary cycle, you know that there are 7 Sundays in the Easter season. So, no, in that way Easter is not over. However, that is actually a small thing.

More importantly, the truth is that the victory Jesus won that first Easter continues to bless our lives even after the celebration of the day is complete. Jesus’ death has accomplished full payment and forgiveness for our sins! Jesus’ resurrection has defeated sin, and Satan, and death, and has won eternal life for us, and for all who believe in Him. What we celebrate during Holy Week makes a difference for good throughout our lives, and into eternity! Listen to 1 Corinthians 15. “⁵⁵ ‘O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?’ ⁵⁶ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. ⁵⁷ But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:55-57)

So . . . I lost two friends whom I have known for over 50 years to death during Holy Week. But Jesus died for our sins and He rose to win eternal life. “⁵⁵ ‘O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?’ . . . ⁵⁷ But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” My friends celebrated Easter in heaven, with Jesus!

Every time I seem to get one medical issue under control, a new concern arises. I guess I am almost 73. Sigh! “⁵⁵ ‘O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?’ . . . ⁵⁷ But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Therefore, I continue to face life and deal with the opportunities to serve my Lord as one of His redeemed children.

I have concerns about the salmon counts in Alaska, about a drought in Florida, about the unusually cold weather in Alaska which has frozen the pipes from our house to our septic tank, and about the early heat in Arizona which some friends have left quickly. “⁵⁵ ‘O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?’ . . . ⁵⁷ But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” I am not in charge, but I know the One who is. He loved me enough to send His Son for me.

I have prayed for people whom I care about concerning their faith, knowing that Jesus has saved them, and hoping they know Jesus’ love and salvation too. Their salvation is accomplished because of what Jesus did on Good Friday and on Easter, if they receive it. “⁵⁵ ‘O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?’ . . . ⁵⁷ But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

I could talk about the wars in the world around us, about the troubles faced by families in our world, about the growing divisions in our country and around the world. These concerns have not gone away. But, Jesus has won victory over Satan, and sin, and death! “⁵⁵ ‘O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?’ . . . ⁵⁷ But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Today I pray for all who read this devotion that, as you face the concerns and troubles and losses of life, that you know Jesus’ Easter victory, and that you bring that victory to the world around you, spreading the peace and joy of His resurrection! “⁵⁵ ‘O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?’ . . . ⁵⁷ But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

A Child of God, Living in the Peace and Joy and Victory of Jesus’ Death and Resurrection!

Pastor Rockey

P.S. I am now in Gainesville, FL, serving as assistant to Pastor Chris Kollmann at First Lutheran.

First Lutheran Activities

HOLY WEEK : THANK YOU, LORD for all the blessings of our Holy Week Celebration. (Here are some pictures.)

· Wednesday preparations for the Thursday Passover Meal at First Lutheran Church. https://photos.app.goo.gl/cZj8UmYQUFHk8eLe6

· Passover Meal at First Lutheran on Thursday, April 2, 2026. https://photos.app.goo.gl/8ifsczGozdaUC93h7

· Bell Choir playing the prelude for Good Friday Evening worship. https://photos.app.goo.gl/DJXvwfSnLywLq5G67

· Here are some pictures from the Easter Breakfast at First Lutheran on Sunday, April 5, 2026. https://photos.app.goo.gl/FmGjko8eUATzqNVR6

· Here are some pictures from the First Lutheran Easter Egg Hunt, Sunday, April 5, 2026. https://photos.app.goo.gl/v6qH7FGGccUA1Rxf7

Do you think it was a FULL week???

· STEPHEN MINISTRY - We started Stephen Ministry classes at First Lutheran on Thursday, February 12. Stephen Ministers are trained Christian care-givers. A Stephen Minister is not a pastor, and not a counselor. But they are Christians who are trained to bring Jesus and His love to another Christian person facing a difficult time.

Open Arms Director, Angie Burr, is a trained Stephen Leader. Susan Lucas will also begin training to serve as a Stephen Leader for FLC.

We have 7 people who have committed to train and serve as Stephen Ministers, as Christian care-givers. Training happens on Thursdays at 6:00 p.m. and will end in April.

Please pray for our Lord to use these Stephen Ministers to serve His people.

· SUNDAY BIBLE CLASSES - Pastor Kollman and I are teaching separate Sunday Bible classes on Sundays at 8:45 a.m.

o On Sunday, March 22, Pastor Kollmann began teaching an Adult Member Class in the library.

o I began teaching a separate class in the Besalski Fellowship Hall.

§ We started with a study of Galatians. We are through Chapter 3

§ We will conclude with a Lutheran Hour Ministries study of Christian citizenship, “We the People.”

· Young People Activities at FLC

o YOUTH ACTIVITIES - Our first youth activity was held at the Kollmann residence on Sunday afternoon, February 22.

o On SUNDAY, March 29, we took a trip to Devil’s Millhopper state Geological site. Here are some pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/PLfYALXRCwjuTcSo7

o Families should meet at First Lutheran on Saturday morning, April 11, no later than 11:30 a.m. to attend the Orange and Blue Game on April 11. 😊 If your children are going into 3^rd grade, or older, please consider participating in these fun activities of growth.

Other Activities of Faith:

· I have again started my two-year journey with my Lord. On Wednesday, April 8, I read Deuteronomy 4. Feel free to join me again if you wish. You may also contact me at 907-841-4066 if you have any questions about these readings. Or send an e-mail question to jonrock53@mtaonline.net I have received questions and comments about the readings. It is always good to consider our Lord’s love and guidance. I will TRY to answer, but some things only God knows!

P.P.S. Family Fun and Fishing! - In addition to Holy Week, LAST WEEK WAS FULL WEEK for the Rockey family!

· Florida Rockey Easter Meal. 4-4-2026. https://photos.app.goo.gl/jyRfd3iZQM97VFXC6

· Jonathan and Kathy at First Lutheran Church in Gainesville on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026. https://photos.app.goo.gl/wGMVZsiSopophEDs6

· This Amaryllis was blooming in our front yard on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026. https://photos.app.goo.gl/wS8XtnB1ZuZzvapz7

· On Easter Sunday afternoon, following our celebrations at church, I went fishing on the St. John’s River south of Palatka. Last Easter I caught a lot of bass on the Rodman Reservoir. But, Rodman and many lakes are dry in the current drought. This year I had 2 bites and caught no fish. ☹Here are a couple of pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/xBFPQCUVSs5ZbRm4A

· On Tuesday, April 7, John Dudeck and I went fishing on the Lower Suwannee River. Here are some pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/TT1AV4Airq45shW76

· I also golfed on Monday and Wednesday! 😊

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ABOUT THIS DEVOTION - I retired at the end of August 2019 from serving as full-time senior pastor of St. John Lutheran Church in Palmer, AK. I was writing a weekly devotion previously entitled, "Thoughts from the Pastor." When I retired many asked me to continue writing these devotions. So I have continued writing. However, with life's changes I now call this weekly devotion "Journeys Through Life as a Child of God." Since I am no longer senior pastor at St. John, I felt it right to only send this message to those who asked to receive it. (However, I currently serve as Assistant to the Pastor for First Lutheran Church in Gainesville, FL.)

So, if you stopped receiving these devotions and wondered why, now you understand. And, if you are now receiving these devotions and do not wish to receive them, please let me know, and I’ll gladly remove your name from my distribution list. My e-mail address is jonrock53@mtaonline.net.

My prayer is that these devotions help each of you in your daily walk with our Lord, Jesus.

*******

Jonathan Rockey

Child of God

Husband, Father, Son, Grandfather

Assistant to the Pastor , First Lutheran Church, Gainesville, FL

Pastor Emeritus, St. John Lutheran Church, Palmer, AK

“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1 a)

Wednesday, April 1, 2026

What WONDROUS LOVE! - Amazed Again at the Wondrous Love of God in the Sacrifice of Jesus!

Dear Fellow Children of God,

How would you describe the events of Holy Week? Holy Week usually includes Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, sometimes Easter Vigil, and Easter Sunday. People celebrate with palms, Easter eggs, and Passover Meals. They celebrate with bunnies and candy, the Lord’s Supper, somber worship, breakfasts, and songs of joy. But, thinking back to that week in Jesus’ life, what words describe Holy Week to you?

Some might answer “history,” or “a myth or tradition.” Yet, even acknowledging the events as historical fact seems to me to separate us personally from the events of that week. Some might say “sacrifice,” or “surprising.” Imagine that God gives His Son for the forgiveness and life of the world. Yet, I believe personally that one simple word describes the events of Holy Week in the life of Jesus, and for the world. That word is . . . LOVE! The description of Holy Week is love.

Many times songs and hymns communicate in ways which touch the mind and the heart. When a beautiful or haunting melody is paired with surprising, or impactful words, those songs or hymns can cut right through the clutter in our lives. One of the Christian hymns which touches my heart in that way I learned in high school during Young Life Christian youth gatherings in the homes of fellow students. That song is “What Wondrous Love is This.” Perhaps you know the tune. If so, hum the tune and please read these words with me. Meditate upon what Jesus willingly faced during Holy Week, and let His love seep into your life.

Verse 1

What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this That caused the Lord of bliss
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul,
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul!

In response to the proclamation of that verse from John, please consider the words of Jesus in John 15. “¹² "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. ¹³ Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:12-13) The love of Jesus which we witness again this Holy Week IS wondrous. Jesus laid down His life for His friends, for us. There is no greater love.

Verse 2

When I was sinking down, sinking down, sinking down,

When I was sinking down, sinking down,

When I was sinking down Beneath God’s righteous frown,

Christ laid aside His crown for my soul, for my soul,

Christ laid aside His crown for my soul.

The ultimate truth of life is that God created the world; that our Lord created us in wisdom and power and love. Yet, all human beings, including ourselves, have acted in selfishness, in pride, in rebellion, and in hatred. We deserve God’s just punishment. However, consider Romans 5:8. “. . . God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” We deserve God’s punishment. Yet Jesus DIES for sinners, for us. What we see this week is . . . LOVE!

Verse 3

To God and to the Lamb I will sing, I will sing;

To God and to the Lamb I will sing;

To God and to the Lamb, Who is the great I AM,
While millions join the theme, I will sing, I will sing,
While millions join the theme, I will sing.

Consider these verses from John 10, “¹¹ I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. . . . ¹⁸ No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father." Jesus is the Good Shepherd who takes care of the lambs of God. And Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Jesus willingly dies to give us eternal life. That is LOVE!

Verse 4

And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on;

And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on.

And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing His love for me,
And through eternity I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on,
And through eternity I’ll sing on.

Please meditate with me on the unexpected words of 1 John 4:9-11. “⁹ In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. ¹⁰ In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. ¹¹ Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” It is not that we loved God. He loved us. Jesus died to pay the price for our failures, for our sins. What we see when we again watch Jesus’ journey through the prophesied events of Holy Week is LOVE, pure and simple.

I encourage you to attend Holy Week services, to receive the love God intends for you, and to worship Him with your heart, soul, strength, and mind. In the events of Holy Week, God gives you LOVE, in Jesus!

A Child of God, Amazed Again at the Wondrous Love of God in the Sacrifice of Jesus!

Pastor Rockey

P.S. I am now in Gainesville, FL, serving as assistant to Pastor Chris Kollmann at First Lutheran.

First Lutheran Activities

HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE

Maundy Thursday – April 2^nd

5:30 p.m. Passover Seder meal in the Fellowship Hall

Noon and 7:00 p.m. Worship Services with Communion

Good Friday – April 3^rd Noon and 6:00 p.m Worship

Easter morning – April 5^th

8:30 and 11:00 a.m. Worship

9:30-10:30 Easter Breakfast

10:30 a.m. Easter Egg Hunt