Author: kyriss
Three special years following our beautiful Shepherd
On this Sunday long ago named, Misericordias Domini, “Of the mercy of the Lord,” (which is how the Latin version of the Introit may be translated) God has gathered us to behold the mercy He has continued to give us out of His Word and Sacraments. Today, we in God’s fold in this location are blessed to celebrate three special years of following our Beautiful Shepherd… For more, click on the title above.
Trembling and Bewilderment
This beautiful morning as we again celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus the Christ, we have heard of His Body no longer occupying a new tomb in which no one else had ever been laid. That a couple of His disciples had borrowed to place His Body in after He died on a cross. This account came to us from the Evangelist Mark’s record. He, apparently writing the account of St. Peter as many theologians argue (and there is really no problem with that understanding), provided a very brief account of the events of the first Resurrection Sunday….For more, click on the title above.
Easter promises: Fulfilled in Christ’s resurrection
I exhort you in Christ Jesus: Do not for a minute dismiss what we celebrate here: For on this Easter morning, we celebrate nothing less than the triumph over death itself. Triumph over actual death—this is not some story we use as a mind-numbing agent, to make us feel better about life and its hardships in this world.
No, my friends, we rejoice that Christ has accomplished what all science, medicine and human effort cannot possibly do. He has conquered the grave. He has won the victory so that we can truly live forever in the gracious presence of God. …For more, click on the title above.
We killed our King
The text for this evening’s sermon comes from the Passion recorded in the Gospel of St. John, these words:
Therefore, [the Jews] cried out “Away with Him! Away! Crucify Him!”
Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?”
The chief priests answered, “We have no king if not Caesar.”
Thus far our text. This is a bold claim made by the leaders of the faith in our reading this evening. This confession by the chief priests of the Jews has the entire history of the world and of God’s love for His people behind it. Let us consider all the implications of this demonic declaration…For more, click on the title above.
Jesus finished all God’s just demands, for you
Jesus, in the Gospel reading for today, speaks one Word, τετέλεσται [Tetelestai] (“it is finished!”). This He does before voluntarily handing over the Spirit. With one Koine (common) Greek Word, Jesus declared that all the Scripture that had prophesied of the Christ to that point in time had been completed. That means that Jesus finished all God’s just demands, for you….For more, click on the title above.
The Master who still serves!
On this Maundy Thursday, we are in what we in this place call, “the year of the Gospel.” From that, we have heard of Jesus, the Master Who still serves His servants. We have heard of Him washing His disciples. In that, He reveals Himself to be the Lord and Teacher Who wills to serve His followers by cleansing them. From that, we can learn that He Who serves His people desires His people to serve one another….For more, click on the title above.
Easter is a Victory, but Not for Everyone
Our eternal life won for us on the Cross by our Savior Jesus Christ is precisely why we call this week holy. The many ways we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ all pour out from our own reality as those who are forgiven, redeemed, and future citizens of the Heavenly City. …For more, click on the title above.
Focus on Jesus, today and all year
When Jesus returned from Bethany on Tuesday morning the priests and the scribes have been chewing on this incident at the Temple all night long. They approach Jesus and say,
“By what authority are you doing these things? And who gave you this authority?” Their rage had been building and now they have decided to put Jesus to the test. Aside from these questions about authority, there are three specific tests administered to Jesus on this day by three different groups. For more, click on the title above.
The King who continues to come in the Name of the Lord
Holy Week traditionally has begun with Processionals such as today’s. Such Holy Week Palm Processionals were drawn by the faithful from Christian schools. They moved them into the Lord’s Services back in the high middle ages. Processionals served to remind those who bear God’s Name that the Day of Christ’s Triumphal entry into Jerusalem began to publicly, outwardly, reveal the Truth of His Kingdom and how it was to come into the world….For more, click on the title above.