Lent 5
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook - SERIES C
The Lessons
Isaiah 43:16-21
Yahweh promises to do a new thing for his people in exile. The "new thing" (v. 19) Yahweh promises is a new exodus from bondage in Babylon. The "former things" (v. 18) refer to the exodus from Egypt. As in the first exodus, Yahweh will make a way through the wilderness and provide water as the people cross six hundred miles of desert from Babylon to Jerusalem. A third exodus is the sacrifice of Christ who redeemed us from the bondage of sin and who now provides food and water in the Sacraments of the new covenant.
Philippians 3:8-14
Paul forgets the past as refuse and presses forward toward Christ. In the church at Philippi certain "enthusiasts" felt they were perfect because they received the Sacraments. In contrast, Paul holds to a theology of the cross. He repudiates the glories of his pre-Christian life as garbage. He is not a man in Christ, but he avers that he is not perfect. The past is to be forgotten and now he strains forward toward the future to become like Christ in his suffering and death in the hope that he will share in the resurrection of Christ.
John 12:1-8 (C)
Mary anoints Jesus' feet with precious ointment. While Jesus was having dinner in the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, Mary anoints the feet of Jesus with very costly perfume and wipes his feet with her hair. Judas Iscariot protests the waste, but Jesus comes to Mary's defense by explaining that she was preparing his body for his upcoming death and burial.
Luke 20:9-19 (L)
The parable of the wicked tenants
John 8:1-11 (RC)
Jesus and the woman caught in adultery. This text, not included in some canonical lists of Scripture, tells a powerful story. In Israel a man caught in adultery was subject to reprimand; a woman caught in adultery was subject to death by stoning. Jesus combines compassion with a higher ethic for sexual behavior in dealing with her and her accusers.
Prayer of the Day
"Almighty God, our Redeemer, in our weakness we have failed to be your messengers of forgiveness and hope in the world. Renew us by your Holy Spirit that we may follow your commands and proclaim your reign of love."
Hymn of the Day
"Glory be to Jesus"
Theme of the Day: Facing the Future
Gospel - Preparation for death in the future.
Lesson 1 - A new deliverance coming in the future.
Lesson 2 - Striving for perfection in the future.
On this Sunday we look to the future. Passion week is one week away. The cross and empty tomb are soon to be experienced. Mary realizes this and by pouring expensive ointment on Jesus' feet, she prepares him for his upcoming death. (Gospel) In Lesson 1 the exiles are told to look forward to their return to Jerusalem. Paul forsakes the past for the future when he hopes to become like Christ in his sufferings, death, and resurrection. (Lesson 2) The hymn points us to the Passion. The Prayer confesses past failure and asks for strength to obey in the future.
Theological Reflections
Gospel: John 12:1-8
1. Costly (v. 3). The ointment Mary used to anoint Jesus was very expensive and it was "pure." It was so expensive that it seemed like a waste to Judas who thought the money was more needed by the poor. The expense was justified because God and his Son deserve the very best of everything. Not only is Christ worth it, but the cost expresses our regard for him. While many are homeless, should a million dollars be spent on a new church building? When some are hungry, should we spent $50 for altar flowers? Then and now it is the same issue.
2. Feet (v. 3). Why did Mary anoint Jesus' feet? One usually anoints the head. Could it be that
the feet, which are usually dirty from dirt roads and often smell, needed the perfume more than any other part of the body? Perhaps Mary did not feel worthy to anoint his head. She felt at best she could touch only his feet.
3. Hair (v. 3). Mary dried Jesus' feet with her hair. Were there no towels in the home of Mary and Martha? No doubt every home had a cloth for drying. Why then her use of her hair? A woman's hair is her pride and joy. Consider how much money and time the average American woman spends on fixing her hair! By drying Jesus' feet with her hair, she in all humility is expressing her love and devotion to Jesus. Not only did she give the best perfume, but she gave the best of herself.
Lesson 1: Isaiah 43:16-21
1. Remember (v. 18). Not all things are to be remembered. Jesus commanded the keeping of the Last Supper in "remembrance of me." The dying thief begged, "Remember me ..." In this passage, Yahweh tells his people "remember not" the things of the past. To remember is to re-live. It is not good to live in the past to the neglect of the present. The people in exile are not to live in the glory of God's past dealings with them in terms of the Exodus. To look back and live only in the past makes one, like Lot's wife, turn to salt.
2. New (v. 19). Since God is an ever-living God, he is forever creating new things. This makes life exciting, because you never know what God is going to do next. For the Babylonian exiles, the new thing of God was deliverance from slavery and a joyous return to the homeland in Jerusalem. It means a new beginning, a new life, and a new national existence.
3. Chosen (v. 20). Why is Yahweh going to do the new thing of restoring his people to liberty? The answer is in his "chosen" people. From Abraham, Yahweh has picked the Hebrews as a special people not because they were better than other people but because God needed them to praise him. In order to praise him (v. 21), he had to reveal himself as he did not reveal himself to any other people. Yahweh blessed the Israelites that in turn they could be a blessing to the rest of the world by their knowledge of the one true God.
Lesson 2: Phiippians 3:8-14
1. Refuse (v. 8). Call it "garbage." Paul's life with all its honors and accomplishments before Christ is now considered "refuse." The world would consider it pure gold, but in comparison to the riches in Christ, it is as worthless as garbage. All of the trophies we have won are laid at the foot of the cross. The money, the pleasure, and the honors of our pre-Christian life are worthless to us now that we have Christ.
2. Perfect (v. 12). Paul made no claim to be perfect either in morals or in being completely in Christ. He considered himself as the chief of sinners. In this passage Paul is speaking of his need to become perfectly one in Christ. By faith we become a person in Christ, but we still need to grow in our knowledge of him and becoming fully Christlike in mind, body, and spirit.
3. One (v. 13). We have so many things to do. We lead busy lives, too busy for our own good. We never seem to catch up. Since we cannot get everything done, we start thinking of priorities in order to leave the least important unfinished. Of all things we need to do or should do, there is one thing we must do. That one thing for Paul was to forget about past mistakes, sins, and failures and to look to the future with a life given to Christ and lived in him. All other things are really not that important when compared with the need for Christ in our lives.
Preaching Possibilities
Relating Lent 5 to the Cross
Gospel: The anointing at Bethany is definitely related to the cross. Mary anoints Jesus for his upcoming death and burial. Jesus is aware of this and defends her extravagant expression of love for him. On this occasion only Mary, besides Jesus, realized his crucifixion was at hand. Her insight resulted probably from an earlier time when she sat at his feet listening to his words of life.
Lesson 1: It speaks of a future deliverance from bondage. That promise was fulfilled when the Exiles were permitted to return to Jerusalem. The new thing now is a third exodus from the bondage of sin. Christ by the cross blazes a path through the wilderness of sin that we might come to God.
Lesson 2: For Paul and for us the cross is past history, but Paul wishes to re-live Jesus' death and resurrection by identifying with Jesus. He wants to share Jesus' sufferings and to die with him that he may also rise with him. Paul makes the passion and cross an existential experience. The cross is more than an historical fact or event. It is a present-day experience of death and living.
Three Lessons
Isaiah 43:16-21; Philippians 3:8-14; John 12:1-8
God's Future Plans for Us
Need: What about the future? Will there be a future in our nuclear world? What does God have in mind for our future? Is there a need for this sermon? Is there a need for hope? In our kind of world threatened with cosmic annihilation, people are needing assurance of hope. Today's Lessons tell us what God has in mind for our future.
Outline: What God sees in our future -
a. Deliverance from the bondage of sin - Lesson 1
b. Assurance of deliverance through Jesus' death - Gospel
c. Goal of identifying with Christ in his passion - Lesson 2
Gospel: John 12:1-8
1. A Woman in Love with Jesus. 12:1-8
Need: Though Jesus never married, there were women as well as men, who loved Jesus. It was more than a romantic love; it was deeper and more meaningful. Among the women who loved him was Mary of Bethany. She serves as a model for us in the love we want to have for Jesus.
Outline: More love for Christ -
a. Understanding of Jesus: Mary sensed Jesus' passion was near - v. 7
b. Gave only the best to Jesus: costly ointment - v. 3
c. Gave her self in humility: dried his feet with her hair - v. 3
2. Before Your Loved One Dies. 12:1-8
Need: Some people wait until a loved one dies to express love and appreciation. Huge floral arrangements are sent for the funeral. Expensive caskets are purchased. Memorial gifts are made. Eulogies are spoken. Mary did not wait, as Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea, to express love for Jesus. This sermon should move us to express our love while our loved ones are alive. Can you imagine how deeply touched, comforted, and encouraged Jesus was after Mary's anointing him?
Outline: Show your love now -
a. Say a good and kind word today
b. Give a gift now
c. Do your loved one a favor today
3. When Extravagance is Cheap. 12:1-8
Need: Mary anointed Jesus with very costly perfume. So good was it that the fragrance went through the house; only expensive perfume would do that. Was this a waste of money? Judas Iscariot thought so: he argued that the money should have been given to the poor. Should a congregation build a new church costing a million dollars when a million people in America are homeless and tens of thousands die daily from starvation? Should a church spend $50 each week on altar flowers when the community needs funds for social needs?
Outline: When extravagance is cheap -
a. Only the best is good enough for Christ
b. Only the expensive expresses our true love for Christ
Preaching Possibilities
Gospel: Luke 20:9-19
1. Content of the Parable
This is a parable packed with truths in allegorical form, each may be the theme of a sermon.
a. About God
1. God is the owner of our world and is entitled to the rent.
2. God is patient with us: three times he sent a servant, then a son.
3. God's patience has an end - judgment will be enacted.
4. God has no other plan to reconcile us - Christ was his only Son; he can do no more. If the world does not accept Christ, nothing but destruction lies ahead.
b. About Christ
1. He is God's Son. Others before him were only "servants." He holds a unique position with God the Father, an intimacy and a oneness.
2. He was sent by God - to receive our obligation to God. Jesus had a mission. He was obedient to God's will.
3. He knew that his end was death at the hands of wicked men. His death was not an accident, not bad luck, not forced. In obedience to God, he faced the cross courageously and voluntarily. The parable announced his approaching end.
c. About mankind
1. Man is only a steward, not owner. As such he owes God a return.
2. Man is a rebel - in constant rebellion against God. He refuses to render to God what is God's. He rejects servants and son.
3. Man wants to be the owner-God. He refuses to give God his portion and hopes to take over the vineyard by killing the son.
4. Man is prone to violence - beating and killing servants and son.
Elijah was driven into the wilderness
Isaiah was sawn asunder
Zechariah was stoned to death before the altar
John the Baptizer was beheaded
Jesus was crucified
2. Have You Paid Your Rent? 20:9-14
The parable portrays God as the owner of the world and people as the tenants. God sends his servants to collect the rent. Why must you pay rent to God?
a. Because of who you are: a steward and not the owner.
b. Because God as the owner has a right to the rent.
c. Because God makes it possible for you to pay the rent.
3. Future Shock! 20:15-18
This parable clearly says that rejection of Christ will bring future judgment upon a people. It applies to the twentieth century as well as to the first. If Christ came today, would we not also kill him? This rejection means future shock for us. We are facing future shock:
a. Because we are guilty of rejecting Christ.
b. Because our rejection of Christ will bring judgment.
c. Because judgment will result in replacement.
4. God's Trump Card. 20:13-15
Through the ages God has tried in vain repeatedly to bring us back to him. The theme has been "and you would not." God had only one thing left to do - send his only Son. He was God's last trump card, his final effort. If the son is not accepted, God can do no more to win us. This has contemporary application: the only salvation for the world is in accepting Christ. Unless the world accepts Christ, it seals its own doom. Jesus is God's last trump card, because:
a. He is the son - more than a servant.
b. He is the heir - to the riches of the Kingdom.
5. A Death Announcement. 20:9-19
The cross was no accident. It was God's plan to redeem the world. Jesus knew the plan and prayed himself into obedience to that will.
a. Jesus knew he was soon to die - the parable was the announcement.
1. He knew Peter was going to deny him.
2. He knew Judas was going to betray him.
3. He knew wicked men were set to kill him.
b. If Jesus knew, why did he not flee the cross?
1. He knew who he was: the Messiah.
2. He knew what his mission was: to redeem the world.
3. He knew it was the Father's will for him to die.
Gospel: John 8:1-11
Live and Let Die
Need: Judgmentalism was a disease rampant in the Jewish church in Jesus' day. It roars through our society as well, particularly among church folk. Jesus attacks legalism and hard-heartedness in a risky and sensational way in this story which may have proved too uncomfortable for some (it doesn't appear in some Bibles).
1. People are more important than law codes
a. Jesus was unwilling to dispense with this woman's life merely to satisfy a legal requirement.
b. Laws, within and without the church, can kill both people and the spirit oflife, love and creativity among us.
c. Laws are made for God's people, not people for God's laws.
2. Laws Can Liberate Us
a. Having rescued the woman, Jesus did not discard the law: he asked her to "sin no more."
b. Once we have life in Christ, we need to "let die" that which rebels against God (lest the life in Christ itself die).
c. Laws, when rightly used and understood, uplift and enliven human life rather than limit and destroy it.
Lesson 1: Isaiah 43:16-21
Something Good is Going to Happen to You!
In this passage God asks us to stop thinking and talking about all the good things God did for us in the past, such as the Exodus from Egypt. Something better is going to happen to us - a new and better Exodus from the slavery of sin.
a. God will do a new thing - v. 19
b. God will make a way out of bondage - v. 19
c. God will provide provisions on the way - v. 20
d. God will give you reason to praise him - v. 21
2. Who are God's Chosen People? 43:20-21
Need: Why would God choose a certain race of people over all others? Is God not the God of all peoples and is he not an impartial God? Up to the time of Abraham, God had all people as his chosen ones, but it did not work. So, God called Abraham to start a special people through whom God would bless humanity. The Hebrews were not chosen because they were special or better than others. They were chosen to be instruments of God's salvation of the world. In our text God promises to liberate his chosen people from Babylonian captivity that they might fulfill hiS plan. Since Israel rejected Christ, today's chosen people are the New Israel, the Church.
Outline: Why God has chosen us as his people -
a. Chosen to be God's people - v. 21
b. Chosen to praise God - v. 21
Lesson 2: Phiippians 3:8-14
1. A LifeforAll Times
In this lesson Paul shows how the past, present, and future come together in a Christian's life. We do not live in any one tense. All of time is involved in a Christian's life.
a. The past - we consider it as refuse - v. 8
b. The present - we have Christ by faith - v. 9
c. The future - we look to the future goal of oneness in Christ - vv. 12-14
2. A Lot of Living to Do
A Christian never "has it made." He is a Christian in process from sinner to saint. There is much yet to be done. Only physical death stops the onward progress. What still lies ahead for Christians to do:
a. To know him and the power of his resurrection - v. 10
b. To share his sufferings and death - v. 10
c. To attain the resurrection - v. 11
d. To strain forward toward the goal of matching Christ - vv. 13, 14
SUNDAY OF THE PASSION
(Palm Sunday)
The Lessons
Isaiah 50:4-9a (C, L)
Isaiah 50:4-7 (RC)
Yahweh's servant faces suffering confident of his help.
This pericope constitutes the third of the four Servant Songs in Isaiah. Yahweh's servant hears his voice and is therefore fortified with determination to suffer mental agony in terms of ridicule, false accusations, humiliation, and shame. He suffers confidently because he believes Yahweh will vindicate, help, and pronounce him innocent.
Philippians 2:5-11 (C, L)
Philippians 2:6-11 (RC)
Jesus' humiliation and God's exaltation of him.
Paul is pleading for unity in the Philippian congregation. He uses Jesus as an example of humility. In this pericope Paul shows the dual reality of the humanity and divinity of Jesus. His deity is indicated in the words "in the form of God" and "equality with God." His humanity is expressed in the phrases "emptied himself," "the likeness of men," "in human form," "obedient unto death." This humility, obedience, and self-renunciation led to Christ's exaltation by God who gave him a name above all names - "Lord." It is God's will that every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord.
Luke 22:14--23:56
The passion story according to Luke. In these two chapters we have the passion according to St. Luke. It begins with the Last Supper to Gethsemane to the arrest to the betrayal and denial, to the trials, and to the cross. Luke adds certain items that the other gospels do not record: the trial before Herod, the weeping women on the way to the cross, the first word ofthe cross ("Father, forgive ..."), the assurance ofparadise to the repentant thief, and the last word of the cross ("Father, into thy hands ...") We see the passion through the eyes of the beloved physician who is especially interested in people, women, sinners, and those in need of compassion and help.
Prayer of the Day
"Almighty God, you sent your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, to take our flesh upon him and to suffer death on the cross. Grant that we may share in his obedience to your will and in the glorious victory of his resurrection."
Hymn of the Day
"A Lamb Goes Uncomplaining Forth"
Theme of the Day: The Suffering Servant
Gospel - The Servant is obedient unto death.
Lesson 1 - The Servant suffers confidently.
Lesson 2 - The Servant humbles himself.
Except for the Gospel, the Lessons and liturgical propers are the same on Passion Sunday each year. The concept of servant fits best into the theology of Luke just as kingship harmonizes with Mark. With Luke's account, this year the emphasis can be on the Passion in relation to servanthood, suffering, and compassion.
Theological Reflections
Gospel: Luke 22:14--23:56
1. Stone's Throw (22:41). Prayer is essentially a private matter especially at a time of crisis. When Jesus entered the Garden to pray before his arrest, he left eight Disciples at the gate and went into the Garden with his three closest friends. But even these he did not want close when he prayed. He left them and went a "stone's throw" from them to be alone where he and his Father could fight it out to see if the cross was a necessity. This is in accord with Jesus' teaching on prayer: "Go into your room and shut the door."
2. Christ (22:67). When Jesus was on trial before the high priest, Caiaphas, he was directly asked if he were the Christ. Theologians are constantly asking the question: "Did Jesus consider himself the Messiah?" It is true that Jesus does not directly claim he is the Christ, but his indirect answer was accepted as affirmative at the trial. For claiming to be the Christ even in this indirect way, he was condemned to death as a blasphemer. Jesus was crucifed for being what he truly was: the Messiah.
3. Rested (23:56). The women observed the removal of Jesus' body from the cross and placing it in Joseph's tomb. Then they went home to prepare spices to embalm the body when the sabbath passed. Since the sabbath began at sundown, they ceased their work and "rested according to the commandment." With something as critical and traumatic as the death and burial of their Lord, it is amazing that they were still obedient to rest on the sabbath. With so much to do in caring for the dead body, they could be justified of having an ox in the ditch and not resting. But the fact that they obeyed the Mosaic law shows the moral integrity of Jesus' followers. They were good, godly, obedient people whose witness of the resurrection can be accepted with confidence.
Lesson 1: Isaiah 50:4-9a
1. Disgrace. The suffering of the Messiah was not only physical but mental and emotional. This may be a worse form of hurt - hurt feelings. The Servant as a faithful follower of God endures shameful treatment. His enemies pull out his beard and spit in his face. Jesus endured this form of suffering: the soldiers dressed him up as a king, the superscription above his head, crucified between two criminals, exposed naked before a crowd, taunted and mocked: "If you are the Son of God ..."
2. Confidence. The Servant is successful in taking the suffering because of his confidence in God's presence and help. God was near and ready to help. Though God allows suffering, he sustains the sufferer who suffers for his sake. When Jesus cried, "My God, why?" we sense the trauma and tragedy of God's apparent withdrawal.
Lesson 2: Philippians 2:5-11
1. Equality (v. 6). Paul claims that Jesus before the Incarnation was on an equality with God - "very God of very God," as the Creed says. If he were equal with God, there was no need for Jesus to grasp any honor, authority, or power. This is a confession of the deity of Jesus.
2. Even (v. 8). Jesus was obedient to death on a cross. This God-man comes as a human to die for us. It is bad enough to die, but there is something worse - "even." It was not only death but even death, on a cross. This was the most horrible and humiliating form of death ever devised by man. It was so cruel that it was reserved only for the worst non-Roman criminals. Jesus went to the depth of humiliation and showed his matchless love by dying on a cross.
3. The Name (v. 9). As a result of this horrible death, God honors Jesus with not a name but with "the name." In Biblical thinking a name denoted the nature and character of the person. The name given to Jesus was "Lord" which every tongue is to confess and before which every knee is to bow.
Preaching Possibilities
Two Sundays in One
Palm and Passion Sundays are combined on Lent 6. It proves to be a busy day, probably the busiest of the year.
1. The observance of Palm Sunday with the blessing of the palms, the distribution of the palms, and the procession with the palms. Though in the new lectionary, Palm Sunday is given a minor role, tradition and the popularity of the day call for its observance.
2. Comfirmation and/or the reception of new members. This is a logical and traditional time for the in-gathering of new members.
3. The observance of Passion Sunday. This change from Lent 5 is made necessary because the average church today does not hold daily Holy Week services when the Passion is preached.
4. The problem of time. So many things are going on that the question is raised whether all can take place within the usual hour of worship. Extra time will be needed for the services of blessing the palms, for the procession with palms, the reading of four lessons with the passion gospel being the longest of the year, two chapters, and time for a possible Confirmation service and reception of new members. Too much for one Sunday? What will happen to the sermon?
Preaching on Lent 6
1. Lent 6's sermon will reflect the congregation 's plans for Holy Week.
What is the tradition for Palm Sunday observance in the local church? What opportunities for preaching on the Passion will exist during Holy Week: nightly services, noon services, the character of the Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday services?
What was the emphasis of the sermon from Lent 1 to Lent 5; did it deal with the cross?
2. Can Palm and Passion Sundays be combined in one sermon?
Option one: Choose one or the other according to the local church's program for Holy Week.
Option two: Combine the two: Palm Sunday with the emphasis upon Jesus as King: Passion: The King is rejected by his people, suffers, and dies.
3. Options for a text
a. Luke 19:28-40 - The Triumphal Entry - This harmonizes with Confirmation and new members.
b. Luke 22:1--23:56 - the history of the Passion. Problem: a text of two chapters.
c. Luke 23:1-49 - the short form of the Passion gospel beginning with Jesus' trials. Here there is a possible conflict with Thursday and Friday sermons.
Palm Gospel: Luke 19:28-40
1. Jesus Can Use Even You! 19:28-35
Jesus sent two Disciples to bring him a colt ("ass" in Matthew) upon which he could ride into Jerusalem. This is probably the humblest animal available. To this day we use "ass" or "Jackass" to heap scorn on people. You may consider yourself an ass and thus feel unworthy of being a servant of Christ. Even if you are an ass, Christ can use you. During the Medieval period, a young man with not too many brains was examined for the priesthood. His examiner was in despair and told him that he was so stupid that we was only half an ass. The candidate replied that if Samson could kill thousands with the jawbone of an ass, maybe God could do wonders with a whole ass.
Though you may consider yourself of little value:
a. You are needed - v. 31
b. You are cooperative - v. 30: "On which no one ever sat."
c. You can carry Jesus to others - v. 35
2. When You've Got To Say It! 19:40
There are times when you cannot stop things: waves coming to shore, winds blowing, the passing of time, the sun's rising. On Palm Sunday the disciples could not stop praising Jesus. In answer to the Pharisees' complaint, Jesus said that if the disciples were silent, the stones would cry out. What was so great and wonderful that people had to break out in praise?
3. Christian All the Way? 19:38
On Palm Sunday Jesus came to his nation as their king. He offered himself as king of love and peace. He hoped for their acceptance and allegiance. By the end of the day, he knew they rejected him, for while overlooking the city, he wept over their future fate. This rejection meant his going to the cross - the ultimate end of rejection. Would Jesus have any better chances today as again he comes asking to be king of our lives?
a. Is Jesus the king of your life?
b. Is Jesus king of some areas of your life?
c. Is Jesus king of every area of your life?
Passion Gospel: Luke 23:1-49
Obviously the gospel lesson, though only half of the entire lesson, is too long to be treated as a text for one sermon. The preacher will choose a portion which answers a need of the congregation. The choice will be made in the light of previous Sunday morning sermons, mid-week subjects, and projected Holy Week services.
1. 23:1-5 - Are you the king of the Jews? (A possible link with Palm Sunday)
2. 23:6-12 - Pilate and Herod become friends. Theme: the estranged and hostile can be reconciled by the Reconciler.
3. 23:13-16 - Pilate's confession of Jesus' innocence. Theme: the sinlessness of Jesus; the injustice of the trial, the Lamb without spot as a sacrifice for sin.
4. 23:18-25 - The people's choice of Barabbas. Theme: Jesus is our substitute on the cross.
5. 23:26-31 - People who shared in the cross. Simon of Cyrene - the unwilling bearer of the cross; the weeping women - sympathy.
6. 23:32-38 - The crucifixion. Theme: He could save others but not himself because of obedience to God's will.
7. 23:39-43 - The repentant thief. Theme: It is never too late to turn to Christ for eternal life.
8. 23:44-49 - The death of Jesus. Theme: How was Jesus' death different from all other deaths? The Drama of God's Love
As we enter Holy Week, we see projected in the events of the coming week the total drama of God's love for his people:
a. The King conquers a city with love - 19:28-40
b. The King conquers evil with goodness - 23:13-16
c. The King conquers death with faith - 23:44-49
Lesson 1: Isaiah 50:4-9a
1. Not Why but How We Suffer. 50:4-9a
Need: Why suffer? is not the question, because we do not choose to suffer unless we are paranoid or have a martyr complex. To suffer or not to suffer is not for us to choose. Suffering is a cross that is laid upon our shoulders. The correct question is how we suffer when it comes as it will, if it has not already done so, come to every one of us.
Outline: How a servant of God takes suffering -
a. Daily hears God's voice strengthening you - v. 4
b. Willingly accepts the suffering - v. 5
c. Endures suffering patiently - v. 7
d. Trusts in God to deliver from suffering - v. 7
2. The Worst Kind of Suffering. 50:6
Need: During Passion week we are inclined to dwell exclusively on the physical suffering of Jesus: the torture of a crown of thorns, the scourging, the carrying of the cross to Calvary, the nails in hands and feet, the slow physical draining until exhaustion. There is this side to suffering as our text says, "I gave my back to the smiters." The rest of the verse deals with a greater suffering: shame, disgrace, humiliation - mental, emotional, suffering of loneliness and abandonment. This nonphysical suffering was symbolized by the spear thrust in Jesus' side from which came blood and water - a broken heart. In this sermon we want to point out how Jesus and we can suffer most deeply from the slurs, gossip, and verbal abuse of unkind people.
Outline: No greater suffering than this -
a. Desertion of friends - "They all forsook him and fled."
b. Mockery - crown of thorns, sceptre, regal robes
c. Rejection - "Crucify him."
d. Abandonment - "Why hast thou forsaken me?"
Lesson 2: Phiippians 2:5-11
1. Being in Your Right Mind. 2:5-11
Need: "As a man thinketh, so is he." What you think determines your attitude and your actions. The importance of thinking is seen in bumper stickers: "Think snow," "Think sailing," etc. When we do something senseless, we say we were not in our right minds. Paul felt that way about members of his Philippian church - they were haughty and proud. This resulted in divisions. The solution was a change of mind to one of humility as illustrated by Jesus. "Have this mind among yourselves" - what mind?
Outline: Marks of being in your right mind -
a. A mind of humility - "he humbled himself. - v. 8
b. A mind of obedience - "became obedient unto death. - v. 8
c. A mind of consecration - "every knee should bow ... every tongue confess" - vv. 10, 11
2. Going Down to Go Up! 2:5-11
Need: You are waiting for an elevator. The elevator arrives. You want to go up but it is going down. You get on it and go down before you can go up. This is what happened to Christ and what needs to happen to us. Christ came down to earth, to humility, to servanthood, and to death where he reached the bottom. Then he rose, ascended, and was exalted to the right hand of God. A Christian also goes with Christ down to death in the waters of baptism and then rises and lives with Christ. To go up one must first go down. They who humble themselves shall be exalted.
Outline: What it means to go down to go up -
a. Going down with Christ - vv. 5-8
b. Going up with Christ - vv. 9-11
Isaiah 43:16-21
Yahweh promises to do a new thing for his people in exile. The "new thing" (v. 19) Yahweh promises is a new exodus from bondage in Babylon. The "former things" (v. 18) refer to the exodus from Egypt. As in the first exodus, Yahweh will make a way through the wilderness and provide water as the people cross six hundred miles of desert from Babylon to Jerusalem. A third exodus is the sacrifice of Christ who redeemed us from the bondage of sin and who now provides food and water in the Sacraments of the new covenant.
Philippians 3:8-14
Paul forgets the past as refuse and presses forward toward Christ. In the church at Philippi certain "enthusiasts" felt they were perfect because they received the Sacraments. In contrast, Paul holds to a theology of the cross. He repudiates the glories of his pre-Christian life as garbage. He is not a man in Christ, but he avers that he is not perfect. The past is to be forgotten and now he strains forward toward the future to become like Christ in his suffering and death in the hope that he will share in the resurrection of Christ.
John 12:1-8 (C)
Mary anoints Jesus' feet with precious ointment. While Jesus was having dinner in the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, Mary anoints the feet of Jesus with very costly perfume and wipes his feet with her hair. Judas Iscariot protests the waste, but Jesus comes to Mary's defense by explaining that she was preparing his body for his upcoming death and burial.
Luke 20:9-19 (L)
The parable of the wicked tenants
John 8:1-11 (RC)
Jesus and the woman caught in adultery. This text, not included in some canonical lists of Scripture, tells a powerful story. In Israel a man caught in adultery was subject to reprimand; a woman caught in adultery was subject to death by stoning. Jesus combines compassion with a higher ethic for sexual behavior in dealing with her and her accusers.
Prayer of the Day
"Almighty God, our Redeemer, in our weakness we have failed to be your messengers of forgiveness and hope in the world. Renew us by your Holy Spirit that we may follow your commands and proclaim your reign of love."
Hymn of the Day
"Glory be to Jesus"
Theme of the Day: Facing the Future
Gospel - Preparation for death in the future.
Lesson 1 - A new deliverance coming in the future.
Lesson 2 - Striving for perfection in the future.
On this Sunday we look to the future. Passion week is one week away. The cross and empty tomb are soon to be experienced. Mary realizes this and by pouring expensive ointment on Jesus' feet, she prepares him for his upcoming death. (Gospel) In Lesson 1 the exiles are told to look forward to their return to Jerusalem. Paul forsakes the past for the future when he hopes to become like Christ in his sufferings, death, and resurrection. (Lesson 2) The hymn points us to the Passion. The Prayer confesses past failure and asks for strength to obey in the future.
Theological Reflections
Gospel: John 12:1-8
1. Costly (v. 3). The ointment Mary used to anoint Jesus was very expensive and it was "pure." It was so expensive that it seemed like a waste to Judas who thought the money was more needed by the poor. The expense was justified because God and his Son deserve the very best of everything. Not only is Christ worth it, but the cost expresses our regard for him. While many are homeless, should a million dollars be spent on a new church building? When some are hungry, should we spent $50 for altar flowers? Then and now it is the same issue.
2. Feet (v. 3). Why did Mary anoint Jesus' feet? One usually anoints the head. Could it be that
the feet, which are usually dirty from dirt roads and often smell, needed the perfume more than any other part of the body? Perhaps Mary did not feel worthy to anoint his head. She felt at best she could touch only his feet.
3. Hair (v. 3). Mary dried Jesus' feet with her hair. Were there no towels in the home of Mary and Martha? No doubt every home had a cloth for drying. Why then her use of her hair? A woman's hair is her pride and joy. Consider how much money and time the average American woman spends on fixing her hair! By drying Jesus' feet with her hair, she in all humility is expressing her love and devotion to Jesus. Not only did she give the best perfume, but she gave the best of herself.
Lesson 1: Isaiah 43:16-21
1. Remember (v. 18). Not all things are to be remembered. Jesus commanded the keeping of the Last Supper in "remembrance of me." The dying thief begged, "Remember me ..." In this passage, Yahweh tells his people "remember not" the things of the past. To remember is to re-live. It is not good to live in the past to the neglect of the present. The people in exile are not to live in the glory of God's past dealings with them in terms of the Exodus. To look back and live only in the past makes one, like Lot's wife, turn to salt.
2. New (v. 19). Since God is an ever-living God, he is forever creating new things. This makes life exciting, because you never know what God is going to do next. For the Babylonian exiles, the new thing of God was deliverance from slavery and a joyous return to the homeland in Jerusalem. It means a new beginning, a new life, and a new national existence.
3. Chosen (v. 20). Why is Yahweh going to do the new thing of restoring his people to liberty? The answer is in his "chosen" people. From Abraham, Yahweh has picked the Hebrews as a special people not because they were better than other people but because God needed them to praise him. In order to praise him (v. 21), he had to reveal himself as he did not reveal himself to any other people. Yahweh blessed the Israelites that in turn they could be a blessing to the rest of the world by their knowledge of the one true God.
Lesson 2: Phiippians 3:8-14
1. Refuse (v. 8). Call it "garbage." Paul's life with all its honors and accomplishments before Christ is now considered "refuse." The world would consider it pure gold, but in comparison to the riches in Christ, it is as worthless as garbage. All of the trophies we have won are laid at the foot of the cross. The money, the pleasure, and the honors of our pre-Christian life are worthless to us now that we have Christ.
2. Perfect (v. 12). Paul made no claim to be perfect either in morals or in being completely in Christ. He considered himself as the chief of sinners. In this passage Paul is speaking of his need to become perfectly one in Christ. By faith we become a person in Christ, but we still need to grow in our knowledge of him and becoming fully Christlike in mind, body, and spirit.
3. One (v. 13). We have so many things to do. We lead busy lives, too busy for our own good. We never seem to catch up. Since we cannot get everything done, we start thinking of priorities in order to leave the least important unfinished. Of all things we need to do or should do, there is one thing we must do. That one thing for Paul was to forget about past mistakes, sins, and failures and to look to the future with a life given to Christ and lived in him. All other things are really not that important when compared with the need for Christ in our lives.
Preaching Possibilities
Relating Lent 5 to the Cross
Gospel: The anointing at Bethany is definitely related to the cross. Mary anoints Jesus for his upcoming death and burial. Jesus is aware of this and defends her extravagant expression of love for him. On this occasion only Mary, besides Jesus, realized his crucifixion was at hand. Her insight resulted probably from an earlier time when she sat at his feet listening to his words of life.
Lesson 1: It speaks of a future deliverance from bondage. That promise was fulfilled when the Exiles were permitted to return to Jerusalem. The new thing now is a third exodus from the bondage of sin. Christ by the cross blazes a path through the wilderness of sin that we might come to God.
Lesson 2: For Paul and for us the cross is past history, but Paul wishes to re-live Jesus' death and resurrection by identifying with Jesus. He wants to share Jesus' sufferings and to die with him that he may also rise with him. Paul makes the passion and cross an existential experience. The cross is more than an historical fact or event. It is a present-day experience of death and living.
Three Lessons
Isaiah 43:16-21; Philippians 3:8-14; John 12:1-8
God's Future Plans for Us
Need: What about the future? Will there be a future in our nuclear world? What does God have in mind for our future? Is there a need for this sermon? Is there a need for hope? In our kind of world threatened with cosmic annihilation, people are needing assurance of hope. Today's Lessons tell us what God has in mind for our future.
Outline: What God sees in our future -
a. Deliverance from the bondage of sin - Lesson 1
b. Assurance of deliverance through Jesus' death - Gospel
c. Goal of identifying with Christ in his passion - Lesson 2
Gospel: John 12:1-8
1. A Woman in Love with Jesus. 12:1-8
Need: Though Jesus never married, there were women as well as men, who loved Jesus. It was more than a romantic love; it was deeper and more meaningful. Among the women who loved him was Mary of Bethany. She serves as a model for us in the love we want to have for Jesus.
Outline: More love for Christ -
a. Understanding of Jesus: Mary sensed Jesus' passion was near - v. 7
b. Gave only the best to Jesus: costly ointment - v. 3
c. Gave her self in humility: dried his feet with her hair - v. 3
2. Before Your Loved One Dies. 12:1-8
Need: Some people wait until a loved one dies to express love and appreciation. Huge floral arrangements are sent for the funeral. Expensive caskets are purchased. Memorial gifts are made. Eulogies are spoken. Mary did not wait, as Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea, to express love for Jesus. This sermon should move us to express our love while our loved ones are alive. Can you imagine how deeply touched, comforted, and encouraged Jesus was after Mary's anointing him?
Outline: Show your love now -
a. Say a good and kind word today
b. Give a gift now
c. Do your loved one a favor today
3. When Extravagance is Cheap. 12:1-8
Need: Mary anointed Jesus with very costly perfume. So good was it that the fragrance went through the house; only expensive perfume would do that. Was this a waste of money? Judas Iscariot thought so: he argued that the money should have been given to the poor. Should a congregation build a new church costing a million dollars when a million people in America are homeless and tens of thousands die daily from starvation? Should a church spend $50 each week on altar flowers when the community needs funds for social needs?
Outline: When extravagance is cheap -
a. Only the best is good enough for Christ
b. Only the expensive expresses our true love for Christ
Preaching Possibilities
Gospel: Luke 20:9-19
1. Content of the Parable
This is a parable packed with truths in allegorical form, each may be the theme of a sermon.
a. About God
1. God is the owner of our world and is entitled to the rent.
2. God is patient with us: three times he sent a servant, then a son.
3. God's patience has an end - judgment will be enacted.
4. God has no other plan to reconcile us - Christ was his only Son; he can do no more. If the world does not accept Christ, nothing but destruction lies ahead.
b. About Christ
1. He is God's Son. Others before him were only "servants." He holds a unique position with God the Father, an intimacy and a oneness.
2. He was sent by God - to receive our obligation to God. Jesus had a mission. He was obedient to God's will.
3. He knew that his end was death at the hands of wicked men. His death was not an accident, not bad luck, not forced. In obedience to God, he faced the cross courageously and voluntarily. The parable announced his approaching end.
c. About mankind
1. Man is only a steward, not owner. As such he owes God a return.
2. Man is a rebel - in constant rebellion against God. He refuses to render to God what is God's. He rejects servants and son.
3. Man wants to be the owner-God. He refuses to give God his portion and hopes to take over the vineyard by killing the son.
4. Man is prone to violence - beating and killing servants and son.
Elijah was driven into the wilderness
Isaiah was sawn asunder
Zechariah was stoned to death before the altar
John the Baptizer was beheaded
Jesus was crucified
2. Have You Paid Your Rent? 20:9-14
The parable portrays God as the owner of the world and people as the tenants. God sends his servants to collect the rent. Why must you pay rent to God?
a. Because of who you are: a steward and not the owner.
b. Because God as the owner has a right to the rent.
c. Because God makes it possible for you to pay the rent.
3. Future Shock! 20:15-18
This parable clearly says that rejection of Christ will bring future judgment upon a people. It applies to the twentieth century as well as to the first. If Christ came today, would we not also kill him? This rejection means future shock for us. We are facing future shock:
a. Because we are guilty of rejecting Christ.
b. Because our rejection of Christ will bring judgment.
c. Because judgment will result in replacement.
4. God's Trump Card. 20:13-15
Through the ages God has tried in vain repeatedly to bring us back to him. The theme has been "and you would not." God had only one thing left to do - send his only Son. He was God's last trump card, his final effort. If the son is not accepted, God can do no more to win us. This has contemporary application: the only salvation for the world is in accepting Christ. Unless the world accepts Christ, it seals its own doom. Jesus is God's last trump card, because:
a. He is the son - more than a servant.
b. He is the heir - to the riches of the Kingdom.
5. A Death Announcement. 20:9-19
The cross was no accident. It was God's plan to redeem the world. Jesus knew the plan and prayed himself into obedience to that will.
a. Jesus knew he was soon to die - the parable was the announcement.
1. He knew Peter was going to deny him.
2. He knew Judas was going to betray him.
3. He knew wicked men were set to kill him.
b. If Jesus knew, why did he not flee the cross?
1. He knew who he was: the Messiah.
2. He knew what his mission was: to redeem the world.
3. He knew it was the Father's will for him to die.
Gospel: John 8:1-11
Live and Let Die
Need: Judgmentalism was a disease rampant in the Jewish church in Jesus' day. It roars through our society as well, particularly among church folk. Jesus attacks legalism and hard-heartedness in a risky and sensational way in this story which may have proved too uncomfortable for some (it doesn't appear in some Bibles).
1. People are more important than law codes
a. Jesus was unwilling to dispense with this woman's life merely to satisfy a legal requirement.
b. Laws, within and without the church, can kill both people and the spirit oflife, love and creativity among us.
c. Laws are made for God's people, not people for God's laws.
2. Laws Can Liberate Us
a. Having rescued the woman, Jesus did not discard the law: he asked her to "sin no more."
b. Once we have life in Christ, we need to "let die" that which rebels against God (lest the life in Christ itself die).
c. Laws, when rightly used and understood, uplift and enliven human life rather than limit and destroy it.
Lesson 1: Isaiah 43:16-21
Something Good is Going to Happen to You!
In this passage God asks us to stop thinking and talking about all the good things God did for us in the past, such as the Exodus from Egypt. Something better is going to happen to us - a new and better Exodus from the slavery of sin.
a. God will do a new thing - v. 19
b. God will make a way out of bondage - v. 19
c. God will provide provisions on the way - v. 20
d. God will give you reason to praise him - v. 21
2. Who are God's Chosen People? 43:20-21
Need: Why would God choose a certain race of people over all others? Is God not the God of all peoples and is he not an impartial God? Up to the time of Abraham, God had all people as his chosen ones, but it did not work. So, God called Abraham to start a special people through whom God would bless humanity. The Hebrews were not chosen because they were special or better than others. They were chosen to be instruments of God's salvation of the world. In our text God promises to liberate his chosen people from Babylonian captivity that they might fulfill hiS plan. Since Israel rejected Christ, today's chosen people are the New Israel, the Church.
Outline: Why God has chosen us as his people -
a. Chosen to be God's people - v. 21
b. Chosen to praise God - v. 21
Lesson 2: Phiippians 3:8-14
1. A LifeforAll Times
In this lesson Paul shows how the past, present, and future come together in a Christian's life. We do not live in any one tense. All of time is involved in a Christian's life.
a. The past - we consider it as refuse - v. 8
b. The present - we have Christ by faith - v. 9
c. The future - we look to the future goal of oneness in Christ - vv. 12-14
2. A Lot of Living to Do
A Christian never "has it made." He is a Christian in process from sinner to saint. There is much yet to be done. Only physical death stops the onward progress. What still lies ahead for Christians to do:
a. To know him and the power of his resurrection - v. 10
b. To share his sufferings and death - v. 10
c. To attain the resurrection - v. 11
d. To strain forward toward the goal of matching Christ - vv. 13, 14
SUNDAY OF THE PASSION
(Palm Sunday)
The Lessons
Isaiah 50:4-9a (C, L)
Isaiah 50:4-7 (RC)
Yahweh's servant faces suffering confident of his help.
This pericope constitutes the third of the four Servant Songs in Isaiah. Yahweh's servant hears his voice and is therefore fortified with determination to suffer mental agony in terms of ridicule, false accusations, humiliation, and shame. He suffers confidently because he believes Yahweh will vindicate, help, and pronounce him innocent.
Philippians 2:5-11 (C, L)
Philippians 2:6-11 (RC)
Jesus' humiliation and God's exaltation of him.
Paul is pleading for unity in the Philippian congregation. He uses Jesus as an example of humility. In this pericope Paul shows the dual reality of the humanity and divinity of Jesus. His deity is indicated in the words "in the form of God" and "equality with God." His humanity is expressed in the phrases "emptied himself," "the likeness of men," "in human form," "obedient unto death." This humility, obedience, and self-renunciation led to Christ's exaltation by God who gave him a name above all names - "Lord." It is God's will that every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord.
Luke 22:14--23:56
The passion story according to Luke. In these two chapters we have the passion according to St. Luke. It begins with the Last Supper to Gethsemane to the arrest to the betrayal and denial, to the trials, and to the cross. Luke adds certain items that the other gospels do not record: the trial before Herod, the weeping women on the way to the cross, the first word ofthe cross ("Father, forgive ..."), the assurance ofparadise to the repentant thief, and the last word of the cross ("Father, into thy hands ...") We see the passion through the eyes of the beloved physician who is especially interested in people, women, sinners, and those in need of compassion and help.
Prayer of the Day
"Almighty God, you sent your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, to take our flesh upon him and to suffer death on the cross. Grant that we may share in his obedience to your will and in the glorious victory of his resurrection."
Hymn of the Day
"A Lamb Goes Uncomplaining Forth"
Theme of the Day: The Suffering Servant
Gospel - The Servant is obedient unto death.
Lesson 1 - The Servant suffers confidently.
Lesson 2 - The Servant humbles himself.
Except for the Gospel, the Lessons and liturgical propers are the same on Passion Sunday each year. The concept of servant fits best into the theology of Luke just as kingship harmonizes with Mark. With Luke's account, this year the emphasis can be on the Passion in relation to servanthood, suffering, and compassion.
Theological Reflections
Gospel: Luke 22:14--23:56
1. Stone's Throw (22:41). Prayer is essentially a private matter especially at a time of crisis. When Jesus entered the Garden to pray before his arrest, he left eight Disciples at the gate and went into the Garden with his three closest friends. But even these he did not want close when he prayed. He left them and went a "stone's throw" from them to be alone where he and his Father could fight it out to see if the cross was a necessity. This is in accord with Jesus' teaching on prayer: "Go into your room and shut the door."
2. Christ (22:67). When Jesus was on trial before the high priest, Caiaphas, he was directly asked if he were the Christ. Theologians are constantly asking the question: "Did Jesus consider himself the Messiah?" It is true that Jesus does not directly claim he is the Christ, but his indirect answer was accepted as affirmative at the trial. For claiming to be the Christ even in this indirect way, he was condemned to death as a blasphemer. Jesus was crucifed for being what he truly was: the Messiah.
3. Rested (23:56). The women observed the removal of Jesus' body from the cross and placing it in Joseph's tomb. Then they went home to prepare spices to embalm the body when the sabbath passed. Since the sabbath began at sundown, they ceased their work and "rested according to the commandment." With something as critical and traumatic as the death and burial of their Lord, it is amazing that they were still obedient to rest on the sabbath. With so much to do in caring for the dead body, they could be justified of having an ox in the ditch and not resting. But the fact that they obeyed the Mosaic law shows the moral integrity of Jesus' followers. They were good, godly, obedient people whose witness of the resurrection can be accepted with confidence.
Lesson 1: Isaiah 50:4-9a
1. Disgrace. The suffering of the Messiah was not only physical but mental and emotional. This may be a worse form of hurt - hurt feelings. The Servant as a faithful follower of God endures shameful treatment. His enemies pull out his beard and spit in his face. Jesus endured this form of suffering: the soldiers dressed him up as a king, the superscription above his head, crucified between two criminals, exposed naked before a crowd, taunted and mocked: "If you are the Son of God ..."
2. Confidence. The Servant is successful in taking the suffering because of his confidence in God's presence and help. God was near and ready to help. Though God allows suffering, he sustains the sufferer who suffers for his sake. When Jesus cried, "My God, why?" we sense the trauma and tragedy of God's apparent withdrawal.
Lesson 2: Philippians 2:5-11
1. Equality (v. 6). Paul claims that Jesus before the Incarnation was on an equality with God - "very God of very God," as the Creed says. If he were equal with God, there was no need for Jesus to grasp any honor, authority, or power. This is a confession of the deity of Jesus.
2. Even (v. 8). Jesus was obedient to death on a cross. This God-man comes as a human to die for us. It is bad enough to die, but there is something worse - "even." It was not only death but even death, on a cross. This was the most horrible and humiliating form of death ever devised by man. It was so cruel that it was reserved only for the worst non-Roman criminals. Jesus went to the depth of humiliation and showed his matchless love by dying on a cross.
3. The Name (v. 9). As a result of this horrible death, God honors Jesus with not a name but with "the name." In Biblical thinking a name denoted the nature and character of the person. The name given to Jesus was "Lord" which every tongue is to confess and before which every knee is to bow.
Preaching Possibilities
Two Sundays in One
Palm and Passion Sundays are combined on Lent 6. It proves to be a busy day, probably the busiest of the year.
1. The observance of Palm Sunday with the blessing of the palms, the distribution of the palms, and the procession with the palms. Though in the new lectionary, Palm Sunday is given a minor role, tradition and the popularity of the day call for its observance.
2. Comfirmation and/or the reception of new members. This is a logical and traditional time for the in-gathering of new members.
3. The observance of Passion Sunday. This change from Lent 5 is made necessary because the average church today does not hold daily Holy Week services when the Passion is preached.
4. The problem of time. So many things are going on that the question is raised whether all can take place within the usual hour of worship. Extra time will be needed for the services of blessing the palms, for the procession with palms, the reading of four lessons with the passion gospel being the longest of the year, two chapters, and time for a possible Confirmation service and reception of new members. Too much for one Sunday? What will happen to the sermon?
Preaching on Lent 6
1. Lent 6's sermon will reflect the congregation 's plans for Holy Week.
What is the tradition for Palm Sunday observance in the local church? What opportunities for preaching on the Passion will exist during Holy Week: nightly services, noon services, the character of the Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday services?
What was the emphasis of the sermon from Lent 1 to Lent 5; did it deal with the cross?
2. Can Palm and Passion Sundays be combined in one sermon?
Option one: Choose one or the other according to the local church's program for Holy Week.
Option two: Combine the two: Palm Sunday with the emphasis upon Jesus as King: Passion: The King is rejected by his people, suffers, and dies.
3. Options for a text
a. Luke 19:28-40 - The Triumphal Entry - This harmonizes with Confirmation and new members.
b. Luke 22:1--23:56 - the history of the Passion. Problem: a text of two chapters.
c. Luke 23:1-49 - the short form of the Passion gospel beginning with Jesus' trials. Here there is a possible conflict with Thursday and Friday sermons.
Palm Gospel: Luke 19:28-40
1. Jesus Can Use Even You! 19:28-35
Jesus sent two Disciples to bring him a colt ("ass" in Matthew) upon which he could ride into Jerusalem. This is probably the humblest animal available. To this day we use "ass" or "Jackass" to heap scorn on people. You may consider yourself an ass and thus feel unworthy of being a servant of Christ. Even if you are an ass, Christ can use you. During the Medieval period, a young man with not too many brains was examined for the priesthood. His examiner was in despair and told him that he was so stupid that we was only half an ass. The candidate replied that if Samson could kill thousands with the jawbone of an ass, maybe God could do wonders with a whole ass.
Though you may consider yourself of little value:
a. You are needed - v. 31
b. You are cooperative - v. 30: "On which no one ever sat."
c. You can carry Jesus to others - v. 35
2. When You've Got To Say It! 19:40
There are times when you cannot stop things: waves coming to shore, winds blowing, the passing of time, the sun's rising. On Palm Sunday the disciples could not stop praising Jesus. In answer to the Pharisees' complaint, Jesus said that if the disciples were silent, the stones would cry out. What was so great and wonderful that people had to break out in praise?
3. Christian All the Way? 19:38
On Palm Sunday Jesus came to his nation as their king. He offered himself as king of love and peace. He hoped for their acceptance and allegiance. By the end of the day, he knew they rejected him, for while overlooking the city, he wept over their future fate. This rejection meant his going to the cross - the ultimate end of rejection. Would Jesus have any better chances today as again he comes asking to be king of our lives?
a. Is Jesus the king of your life?
b. Is Jesus king of some areas of your life?
c. Is Jesus king of every area of your life?
Passion Gospel: Luke 23:1-49
Obviously the gospel lesson, though only half of the entire lesson, is too long to be treated as a text for one sermon. The preacher will choose a portion which answers a need of the congregation. The choice will be made in the light of previous Sunday morning sermons, mid-week subjects, and projected Holy Week services.
1. 23:1-5 - Are you the king of the Jews? (A possible link with Palm Sunday)
2. 23:6-12 - Pilate and Herod become friends. Theme: the estranged and hostile can be reconciled by the Reconciler.
3. 23:13-16 - Pilate's confession of Jesus' innocence. Theme: the sinlessness of Jesus; the injustice of the trial, the Lamb without spot as a sacrifice for sin.
4. 23:18-25 - The people's choice of Barabbas. Theme: Jesus is our substitute on the cross.
5. 23:26-31 - People who shared in the cross. Simon of Cyrene - the unwilling bearer of the cross; the weeping women - sympathy.
6. 23:32-38 - The crucifixion. Theme: He could save others but not himself because of obedience to God's will.
7. 23:39-43 - The repentant thief. Theme: It is never too late to turn to Christ for eternal life.
8. 23:44-49 - The death of Jesus. Theme: How was Jesus' death different from all other deaths? The Drama of God's Love
As we enter Holy Week, we see projected in the events of the coming week the total drama of God's love for his people:
a. The King conquers a city with love - 19:28-40
b. The King conquers evil with goodness - 23:13-16
c. The King conquers death with faith - 23:44-49
Lesson 1: Isaiah 50:4-9a
1. Not Why but How We Suffer. 50:4-9a
Need: Why suffer? is not the question, because we do not choose to suffer unless we are paranoid or have a martyr complex. To suffer or not to suffer is not for us to choose. Suffering is a cross that is laid upon our shoulders. The correct question is how we suffer when it comes as it will, if it has not already done so, come to every one of us.
Outline: How a servant of God takes suffering -
a. Daily hears God's voice strengthening you - v. 4
b. Willingly accepts the suffering - v. 5
c. Endures suffering patiently - v. 7
d. Trusts in God to deliver from suffering - v. 7
2. The Worst Kind of Suffering. 50:6
Need: During Passion week we are inclined to dwell exclusively on the physical suffering of Jesus: the torture of a crown of thorns, the scourging, the carrying of the cross to Calvary, the nails in hands and feet, the slow physical draining until exhaustion. There is this side to suffering as our text says, "I gave my back to the smiters." The rest of the verse deals with a greater suffering: shame, disgrace, humiliation - mental, emotional, suffering of loneliness and abandonment. This nonphysical suffering was symbolized by the spear thrust in Jesus' side from which came blood and water - a broken heart. In this sermon we want to point out how Jesus and we can suffer most deeply from the slurs, gossip, and verbal abuse of unkind people.
Outline: No greater suffering than this -
a. Desertion of friends - "They all forsook him and fled."
b. Mockery - crown of thorns, sceptre, regal robes
c. Rejection - "Crucify him."
d. Abandonment - "Why hast thou forsaken me?"
Lesson 2: Phiippians 2:5-11
1. Being in Your Right Mind. 2:5-11
Need: "As a man thinketh, so is he." What you think determines your attitude and your actions. The importance of thinking is seen in bumper stickers: "Think snow," "Think sailing," etc. When we do something senseless, we say we were not in our right minds. Paul felt that way about members of his Philippian church - they were haughty and proud. This resulted in divisions. The solution was a change of mind to one of humility as illustrated by Jesus. "Have this mind among yourselves" - what mind?
Outline: Marks of being in your right mind -
a. A mind of humility - "he humbled himself. - v. 8
b. A mind of obedience - "became obedient unto death. - v. 8
c. A mind of consecration - "every knee should bow ... every tongue confess" - vv. 10, 11
2. Going Down to Go Up! 2:5-11
Need: You are waiting for an elevator. The elevator arrives. You want to go up but it is going down. You get on it and go down before you can go up. This is what happened to Christ and what needs to happen to us. Christ came down to earth, to humility, to servanthood, and to death where he reached the bottom. Then he rose, ascended, and was exalted to the right hand of God. A Christian also goes with Christ down to death in the waters of baptism and then rises and lives with Christ. To go up one must first go down. They who humble themselves shall be exalted.
Outline: What it means to go down to go up -
a. Going down with Christ - vv. 5-8
b. Going up with Christ - vv. 9-11
