His is the Victory
Lutherans carry LCMS banners as the group passes the U.S. Supreme Court at the March for Life in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 24. (LCMS/Roy S. Askins)
‘His is the victory’ … Lutherans confess Christ at March for Life
By Stacey Eising, February 24, 2025
On Jan. 24, LCMS Lutherans joined tens of thousands of other pro-life marchers at the 52nd annual March for Life in Washington, D.C.
The tone of this year’s march, the third since Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022, was somber, coming after repeated political losses for the pro-life cause in recent years. But in the wake of the first post-Roe pro-life victories at the polls in November, it was also hopeful. U.S. Vice-President J.D. Vance appeared in person at the pre-march rally, his first public appearance since taking the vicepresidential oath of office a few days earlier.
“As you all know, the event theme this year is ‘Life: Why We March,’ and there are obvious answers to the implicit question it poses. We march to protect the unborn. We march to proclaim and live out the sacred truth that every single child is a miracle and a gift from God,” said Vance in his address. “It is a joy and a blessing to fight for the unborn, to work for the unborn, and to march for life,” said Vance.
Despite the changes in administration and the political losses and victories of recent years, the LCMS participants gathered in much the same spirit as they do every year: prayerfully, repentantly, to confess the truth of God’s Word about the sanctity of life, and the life He has for all in Christ. Lutherans carry LCMS banners as the group passes the U.S. Supreme Court at the March for Life in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 24. (LCMS/Roy S. Askins) Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) President Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison followed Vance on the rally stage, to give a short address and closing prayer.
“Why do we march? Because the blood of Jesus Christ, God’s Son, cleanses us from all our sins. Why do we march? Because many consciences in America have died, and we believe in resurrections, and we say, ‘Lazarus, come out,’” said Harrison from the stage.
This year, for the first time, the LCMS group was joined by a representative from the leadership of all 35 LCMS districts, including 22 district presidents.
“I’ve been to the national March for Life more than 20 times,” said the Rev. Christopher Esget, LCMS fifth vice-president and pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Alexandria, Va. “My first few years I saw it as a political statement. … I now see it as a confession that every life is valuable and a gift from God. … We’re testifying in the public square that there is something greater than politics — we’re setting the matter before God and peacefully ‘lifting high the cross,’ so to speak, to call the world to Jesus, in whom is life.”
Prior to the march, the LCMS group gathered, as usual, for the Divine Service at Immanuel. The Rev. Michael Mohr, LCMS Central Illinois District president, preached.
“Your place in God’s right-hand kingdom, robed in the perfect righteousness of Christ … frees your voice and your hands to labor — not for your own sake, but for the neighbor, in that good confession of whose they are: blood-bought, purchased, won, beloved. And for those who receive this Good News by faith — restored, justified, eternally alive. We are called to fight the good fight of the faith. … This fight is the battle won by our Lord Jesus Christ over sin, death and the power of the devil. His you are. His is the battle, and His is the victory.”
After the service and a brunch, the LCMS group traveled by buses to the march. With hymn verses and prayers printed on the backs of their signs, the group spent the march in prayer and singing.
Kerri Elizabeth Robinson, a high school senior and Immanuel member who played violin during the service, has joined in the march for several years.
“It’s equal parts joyful and solemn,” said Robinson. “It’s a lot of silence and reflection to think about the loss of life and the evil and the hurt that’s been done. And it’s also a lot of joy, in that God will do His will ultimately. … He’s going to come back, He’s going to purify the world, and every knee will bow. And so, looking forward to that, we can sing songs of joy, and also songs of mourning to remember those we’ve lost and those we will see again.” ...
