And now, O our God, what shall we say after this? for we have forsaken thy commandments…thou our God hast punished us less than our iniquities deserve, and hast given us such deliverance as this; should we again break thy commandments (Ezra 9:10,13-14a)

Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: from which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm…This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.  (I Timothy 1:5-7, 15)

A little law and gospel for the Saturday of the Third Week of Easter to accompany a photograph of a blooming Shrub Live Oak. The word of God is not always praise God for this or that. It’s often look people you haven’t measured up, but look what Christ has done for you! Our God is a God who died. He also proclaimed victory over evil: sin and death.