Daily Readings - Fri Sep 26 2025
Revelation
9After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands,10and crying out with a loud voice, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!"11And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God,12saying, "Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen."13Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, "Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?"14I said to him, "Sir, you know." And he said to me, "These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.15"Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence.16They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat.17For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."
2 Corinthians
7But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.8We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair;9persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;10always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.11For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.12So death is at work in us, but life in you.13Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, "I believed, and so I spoke," we also believe, and so we also speak,14knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence.15For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.
Gospel - Luke 9.23-26 or John 12.24-26
Luke
23And he said to all, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.24For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.25For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?26For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.
John
24Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.25Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.26If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.
Sermon
Today’s readings invite us to reflect on the journey of faith, perseverance, and the ultimate hope that lies before us. In Revelation, we glimpse a glorious vision of the redeemed, a diverse multitude from every nation, standing before the throne of God. They have emerged from great tribulation, their robes washed white by the blood of the Lamb. This passage reminds us that our struggles are not in vain; they prepare us for the eternal life where God will wipe away every tear and lead us to the waters of life. It is a vision of hope, assuring us that our present sufferings are not the end of the story.
In 2 Corinthians, Paul speaks of the paradox of the Christian life. We are fragile, earthen vessels, yet we hold within us the sublime treasure of God’s power. Though we face tribulation, persecution, and suffering, these do not define us. Instead, they reveal the life of Jesus in us. Paul’s words encourage us to embrace our weaknesses, for it is in them that God’s strength shines through. We are called to trust in the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead, knowing that our struggles contribute to the greater glory of God.
In the Gospel, Jesus calls us to radical discipleship. Taking up our cross daily means surrendering our will to His, embracing sacrifice, and prioritizing eternal life over worldly comforts. Jesus warns us that to save our lives, we must lose them for His sake. This is not about physical death but about dying to self—letting go of pride, fear, and selfishness. True life is found in following Him, even when the path is difficult. As we navigate the challenges of our own lives, may we remember that our faith is not a shield from suffering but a source of strength to endure it. Let us walk with courage, knowing that our present struggles are but a prelude to the eternal joy that awaits us.