Brothers and sisters, I encourage you to attend Bible Study and worship tomorrow, April 2. The service brings together two themes—Jesus enters Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover Feast; and then a look ahead to the end of that week as He has been abruptly arrested, crucified, and buried. Crowds that once cheered and praised Jesus are a few days later replaced by mobs calling for His crucifixion. A joyous beginning seems to be swallowed up by the horrible injustice, suffering, and death of an innocent Man. But as it is revealed, this is all part of God’s plan to save you from your sin. And not only you, but also your neighbor and the whole world. Take time to contemplate the importance of Jesus’ Passion. We are not re-crucifying or re-burying Jesus, but giving deliberate and sober thought to the forgiveness and reconciliation His selfless sacrifice has accomplished for each of us.
Hymns from the LSB hymnal chosen for the day: #443 Hosanna, Loud Hosanna; #444 No Tramp of Soldiers Marching Feet; #454 Sing My Tongue the Glorious Battle. Those present for communion will sing#433 Glory Be to Jesus during the distribution.
Scripture readings are Matthew 21:1-11; Psalm 31:9-16; Isaiah 50:4-9a; Philippians 2:5-11; and Matthew 27:1-2, 11-26, 38-66.
Expressing the change in mood of Holy Week we will not sing the Gloria Patri. And we will read two Gospel readings. The first, at the start of the service, is St. Matthew’s account (21:1-11) of Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem on “Palm Sunday”. The people identify Him as the ‘Son of David’, the Messiah promised by God, and they rejoice that He has come. The second gospel reading includes selected passages from Matthew’s account several chapters later (27:1-2, 11-26, 38-66), reporting on events taking place almost a week later, including Jesus’ crucifixion and burial. To get a better context of these events I encourage you to read Chapter 26 as well, especially if you have not been listening to our Lenten midweek readings.
Psalm 31 is a psalm attributed to King David, probably describing the attacks against him by King Saul before David was king. The psalm is generally a cry for protection. More specifically, verses 9 to 16 ask for God’s encouragement and deliverance. Enemies are out to get him. Everyone, even neighbors seem to be scheming against him. So, he feels alone. And he feels that the stress is killing him. But God turns him in faith to remember his life is in His hands. With steadfast love God will save him. The Psalm is Messianic as it expresses the situation of Jesus at His arrest and crucifixion. Jesus died for you, so now you can rejoice with David regarding the God who saves.
In the Old Testament reading Isaiah 50:4-9, the prophet speaks the words of the Messiah, God’s Suffering Servant. The words are a foretelling of Jesus’ obedience, commitment, and suffering.
Philippians 2:11 reads like a creed or a doxology, confessing and praising the greatness of Jesus. In the preceding verses St. Paul describes Jesus the Son of God who humbled Himself, coming from heaven to be born as one of us and to die for us. Paul urges the members of the Church to praise Jesus and imitate Him, that is, to serve our neighbor humbly and with unity of faith in Jesus.
COLLECT: Almighty, Gracious God, You sent Your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, to take upon Himself our flesh and to suffer death upon the cross. Mercifully grant that we may follow the example of His great humility and patience and be made partakers of His resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord and Savior, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Set aside time to pray. Invite your neighbors to either of the Good Friday services on April 7th (noon and 6:30), and Easter 10:30 next Sunday, April 9.
Let me know if you have any prayer requests or questions about these readings. God bless you as we enter into Holy Week. Pastor Boster
