Tuesday, April 16 — By Your Endurance You Will Gain Your Souls In the course of the 21st chapter we hear of Jesus seeing somebody others would be inclined to overlook – a poor widow who puts in two small copper coins into the temple treasury. When his disciples begin to gawk at the extraordinary […]
Monday, April 15 In the course of chapter 20 we hear some of the teachings and debates Jesus engaged in over the next three days as the people gathered around to hear him speak in the Temple. In the presence of the chief priests, scribes and elders Jesus told a story of a man who […]
A sermon preached on April 14, 2019 – Palm Sunday – and the occasion of the baptism of Zach Thomas Bothe . Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but […]
Sunday, April 14 — Jesus Enters Jerusalem This coming week we will read extensively from the story of the last week of Jesus’ earthly life as told in the Gospel of Luke. Previously we heard Jesus express his great sorrow over the rejection he would receive in Jerusalem, comparing himself to a mother hen rejected […]
Saturday, April 13 — A Love More Powerful We continue with the reading from yesterday. Jesus rides into the city on a donkey, fulfilling the words of Zechariah 9:9: “The coming of Zion’s King – See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal […]
Friday, April 12 — The Lord Has Need of It Back in 9:51 in Luke’s Gospel Jesus is said to have “set his face to go to Jerusalem” (evoking imagery from the “suffering servant” passage we read earlier in the week.) Here now in the 19th chapter Jesus reaches his destination. The story of Jesus’ […]
Thursday, April 11 — The Meaning of the Cross As we approach Holy Week and ponder the meaning of Jesus’ crucifixion, here are two quotes for your contemplation: The Meaning of the Cross: “At the heart of God is the desire to forgive and to give. Because of this He set into motion the entire redemptive […]
Wednesday, April 10 — If It Weren’t for Faith Today we ponder a quote that comes from the same context as that of Nelson Mandela – the great non-violent struggle against Apartheid and all forms of injustice. This quote comes from the South African Anglican Bishop Desmond Tutu, and is entitled, The Essence of Being […]
Tuesday, April 9 — Lessons from the Suffering Servant In the book of the prophet Isaiah, there are four passages that speak of a suffering servant (42:1-4; 49:1-6; 50:4-9; 52:13-53:12). Who Isaiah had in mind in these passages is unclear, but the Church has always seen in these passages references to the redemptive suffering of […]
Monday, April 8 As you read this week’s psalm, listen for themes that resonate with the story of Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem and the passion story that follows. Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever! Let Israel say, “His steadfast love endures forever.” Open […]
