We have heard three readings from Holy Scripture today, our Old Testament reading from Isaiah, the 2nd reading from the Book of Revelation, and the Passion reading from St. Luke. As we gather this day, it is appropriate that we focus on three points:
1. The betrayal of Jesus by his friend, Judas,
2. The vengeance that is yet to come upon the enemies of our Lord, and
3. To continue in our Lenten theme, “Why Easter?”
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Category: Sermons
Crucify Him!
On Sunday we celebrated the royal glory of the King of Israel as He triumphantly entered Jerusalem. There was a great crowd gathered in the Holy City for the Passover festival as they were celebrating their deliverance from slavery in Egypt. The Israelites were remembering the blood of the lamb that was on their doorposts as a sign that death would pass over them. When they heard Jesus was coming, they took palm branches to go out and meet Him. The Palm branches were waved as a symbol of deliverance, victory, and triumph….For more, click on the title above.
God’s new convenant brings forgiveness and salvation
Today, we heralded the fulfillment of the divine prophecy through Christ’s Presence. This we did through our actions and words that were applied to our remembrance of Jesus’ triumphal entrance into Jerusalem long ago. Jesus humbly did that so that He would die bearing the sins of all people for all times into death.
Jesus’ long-awaited victory procession on that first Palm Sunday again reveals how He, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, had determined God would save sinners from sin and all its effects. It was declared in the way He was heralded, “Hosanna!” that is, “Save Now!”…For more, click on the title above.
Why Easter? Jesus answers and says: ‘Father, into Your Hands I commit my Spirit’
To prepare us for the coming Feast of the Resurrection of Our Lord, throughout the Wednesdays of Lent following Ash Wednesday, we’ve been hearing Jesus give the answer to, “Why Easter?” That He has continued to do as we’ve heard translations of His “Seven Words from the Cross.”
His indelible and eternal statements began to be declared again among us on Lent I Wednesday. Then we heard a good rationale presented for this “Seven Words” Lenten series. …For more, click on the title above.
Christ alone is our vindication
Today, through the image of Abraham ready and willing to offer his son of the Promise, we have one of the most poignant illustrations of God’s love for His fallen creatures. The record of Abraham and Isaac’s journey to and from the Mountain of Sacrifice reveals that which our Heavenly Father was, even then, prepared to offer as His Final Sacrifice. …For more, click on the title above.
‘I thirst’
The human body is wonderfully created with a series of sensations that drive it to satisfy life sustaining goals. When the body thirsts, dryness wraps itself around the lips, mouth, and throat. What begins as a whisper steadily grows louder and louder. Moisture leaves the lips as the walls of the mouth begin to stick together. A dry ache in the throat sharpens and each breath feels thicker. With each inhalation the mouth transforms into a dry desert wasteland. The body becomes increasingly restless and distracted as all focus shifts to quenching that thirst with life sustaining liquids. But in the developed world water scarcity and sustained thirst are nearly nonexistent….For more, click on the title above.
Rejoicing in the midst of Lent
Our sermon that breaks through Lent’s fast on this Sunday set aside for rejoicing in the midst of Lent’s time of repentance is taken from the Prophet Isaiah:
Thus says YHWH, “In time of favor I answered you; and in day of salvation, I have helped you; and I have given you for (a) covenant people to establish (the) land, to cause them to apportion desolate heritages.” …For more, click on the title above.
‘My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?’
That brings us to our theme verse for this evening’s meditation on “Why Easter?” “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
What a mournful, pitiable, anguished cry! Forsaken by God. I looked up the definition of the word forsaken: To forsake another person is to leave them entirely, usually in a moment of need. Another definition for this transliteration of the Aramaic into Greek is abandonment—to leave, or renounce someone. …For more, click on the title above.
Because He wills to forgive, God calls to repentence
Today’s chosen theme verse reveals the biblical truth that, because He wills to forgive, God calls to repentance. That is proclaimed, in large part, through today’s Old Testament reading. Through the words God gave to Jeremiah, we hear God’s clear calls to His sinning people to turn from their sins. This, the faithful are empowered to do as His Word moves them into repentance. …For more, click on the title above.
Why Easter? Jesus Answers and Says: “Behold Your Family”
Jesus, then beholding the Mother and the disciple standing alongside, whom He loved, said to the Mother: “O woman, behold your son.” Then He says to the disciple, “Behold your Mother.” And, from that hour, the disciple took her into his own.
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