Grace to you in the name of our risen Lord and Savior Jesus the Holy Christ of God. Amen.

Introduction: Grace Like Rain

Tomorrow is Memorial Day. Out in the fields, the corn rises—green, eager, and stretching toward the sky—drinking in the spring rains. In this season of growth, we’ve journeyed through the sowing, tending, and weeding. Now, we pause to see how the Spirit nourishes our faith like rain renews the earth.

If you’ve kept up with the Bible reading plan, you saw [2 Samuel 22] this week—David singing of God, his rock and deliverer. That’s the Spirit’s water—strength for the weary, peace for the troubled. Today, we also honor those who gave their lives for our nation’s freedom, and we remember Bede the Venerable, who spoke of the Spirit’s work in growing the Church. Let’s soak in the Spirit’s presence together.

Part One: The Spirit’s Living Water (John 16:23–33)

The night before His crucifixion, Jesus told His disciples:

• “Whatever you ask of the Father in my name, He will give it to you” [John 16:23].

• “The Father himself loves you” [John 16:26–27].

• “In Me you may have peace. In the world you will have trouble. But take heart; I have overcome the world” [John 16:33].

Those are Spirit-soaked promises. Not vague hopes, but words full of power. The Spirit, whom Jesus sends, brings peace to hearts worn dry by sorrow. Like a gentle rain turning brown fields to green, the Spirit brings faith to life.

Luther’s Small Catechism puts it like this: “The Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith.” The Spirit doesn’t just trickle in—He pours through Word and Sacrament, renewing even the driest places in our souls.

Part Two: The Spirit Opens Hearts (Acts 16:9–15)

In Acts 16, Paul has a vision of a man in Macedonia asking for help. He goes, and there he meets Lydia in Philippi, a woman selling purple cloth. We’re told:

The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul.¹

That’s the Spirit at work. Lydia’s heart, like thirsty soil, soaked up the Word. She’s was Baptized, and her whole household with her. A new believer, a new beginning, a new branch on the tree of faith.

This time of year is filled with things meant to remind us, and give up opportunity to pause and honor those who fought for the freedom we enjoy. Last Saturday was Armed Forces Day. Tomorrow we remember those who gave their lives for our American freedom. Today in the Church it is the Commemoration of Bede the Venerable who once wrote:

The Church grows like a field tended by God’s own hand. Each believer is watered by the Spirit.

We remember the Holy Spirit who brings eternal life, and eternal freedom. We honor those who defended and protected our American freedom. We also remember those who defended our greater eternal freedom and eternal life where all wars and conflicts will forever cease. When we the faithful will live in the Eternal City watered by God’s glory.

Part Three: The Eternal City Watered by Glory (Revelation 21:9–27)

That is precisely what we are shown in Revelation 21. There John sees the New Jerusalem descending from heaven. No need for a temple, “… for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.²” No sun or moon needed, “for the glory of God gives it light.³”

This is the final field, no longer dry or waiting, but fully alive, forever green. The Holy Spirit, who began His watering work in us, finishes it in glory. No more tears. No more drought. Just the bright fullness of God’s harvest: Your soul.

Law and Gospel: Dryness Meets Life

We know dryness. Sin scorches our hearts. Worry drains our strength. When we ignore prayer, neglect worship, or grow weary in the Word, our roots wither. It is God’s Law that show that in us and reminds us of our need for Him. The Law shows us our withering state. Then comes the Gospel, like a summer rain soaking your soul, overcoming the sun’s scorching heat. Jesus says:

Take heart; I have overcome the world.⁴

His Spirit pours life into your parched heart. He brings peace that no drought, nor even the heat of Hell, can destroy.

Conclusion: Let It Soak In

Lydia received it. Bede saw it. John wrote about it. You can too. You don’t need to stay dry and withered. The Spirit’s grace filled rain is already falling. Soak it in. Stand out in that rain and be soaked to the marrow with that life-giving water of Holy Baptism that carries you home.

That is in fact the subject of next week’s message. Growing souls in fertile soil reaching towards the sun living under God’s protective care. Next week we celebrate the Ascension of Jesus and His return to the throne and the sending of the Holy Spirit who grows and gathers a harvest of souls. Be here and be blessed by that truth. In Jesus’s name. Amen.

=======
NOTES