Dear brothers and sisters, beloved by God, we are about to enter into what is often called Holy Week. To the casual observer, Jesus went to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover festival. As He arrived in the city, He was met by cheering crowds. They treated Jesus like royalty, praising Hm as a descendant of King David. They were aware of His miracles and authoritative teaching. So, they considered Him an agent of God sent to restore them. But what that restoration meant and how it would be achieved would not be what they expected. False accusations were made against Jesus. His own disciples would betray Him and deny Him. By Friday the crowds were calling for Jesus to be put to death. It is by that death that Jesus rescued you from the curse of sin. But there would be more. Jesus overcame death and rose from the grave on a Sunday, the first day of the week. By His death and resurrection Jesus has reconciled you to God and opened heaven to you. By Jesus’ death, you can have real life. I encourage you to schedule time this week to read the accounts in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John regarding Jesus’ suffering and death, and consider what difference Jesus makes for you and your life. We will offer several worship opportunities to contemplate Jesus’ Passion.
There is no midweek service this Wednesday the 27th.
On the 28th, the Maundy Thursday service with communion will begin at 6:30.
On the 29th we will conduct two Good Friday Observations, one beginning at 12 noon, the other a Tenebrae service begins at 6 :30.
Easter Sunday includes breakfast at 9; Bible study at 9:30; egg hunt at 10; Resurrection Celebration at 10:30.
Let me know if you have any questions about this schedule.
Sunday, March 24th is Palm Sunday. We will continue to follow a modified version of the liturgy of Divine Service One beginning on page 151 in the LSB hymnal. The order of service intends to express the change in attitude that took place among many people during the first Holy Week, from joy to sober contemplation as they wait in hope for the day of resurrection.
Hymns chosen for the day are #443 Hosanna, Loud Hosanna; #444 No Tramp of Soldiers Marching Feet; #631 Here, O My Lord, I See Thee Face to Face; #440, Jesus I Will Ponder Now.
Scripture readings for the day are Psalm 31:9-16; Zechariah 9:9-12; Philippians 2:5-11; Mark 11:1-10; and John 12:20-43.
Psalm 31 is indicated to be a psalm of David, intended for the choirmaster to use in worship. God has repeatedly demonstrated that He is faithful, defending David and His people. The psalm responds by expressing trust in God, and at the same time it asks Him for protection from both sin and human adversaries. It may have been written during the time David was being pursued by King Saul. The words of the psalm are also Messianic as they express the anguish of Jesus. As He was threatened by evil forces He would have called to God for protection. We will be chanting verses 9 to 16, which express the rejection Jesus faced leading to His crucifixion.
The Old Testament reading comes from the book of Zechariah. He was one of the last prophets recorded in the Old Testament. His name can be translated as ‘the LORD remembers’. Dates included in the prophecy indicate Zechariah received a series of apocalyptic visons and prophesied between 520-518 BC, among the years Jerusalem was being rebuilt following Judah’s return from exile in Babylon. In Chapter 9 God foretells a lasting peace ushered in by a king entering Jerusalem. Though it speaks of the future, the prophecy encourages people to rejoice, for when their King comes, their warfare is ended. The prophecy has fulfilment in the events of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. He came to bring an end to spiritual warfare, and to bring peace between God and mankind, and ultimately between the nations. The image of a king riding a donkey indicates humility. He doesn’t conquer by force. He will win by sacrifice and service. But note, this image is also messianic. When the king comes riding on a donkey, everyone should recognize God is keeping His promise. His Anointed One has arrived.
The epistle lesson (2:5-11) is a portion of St. Paul’s letter to the congregation in Philippi, northern Greece. Paul refers to the example of Jesus. Though He was God, he humbled Himself to born as one of us, and to become a servant for you and for all the world. He served by giving Himself as a sacrifice, substituting for you, dying in your place, and paying the punishment you deserved for your sin. Jesus was even willing to undergo an embarrassing execution as a criminal, so that you would be set free from the slavery of sin.
On Palm Sunday we will read from two gospel writers. We will begin the service by reading St. Marks account of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, greeted by the cheers and praises of the crowds gathered for the Passover festival. They shout ‘Hosanna!’ a word originally meaning ‘save us’ which had become an expression of praise. We will also read from St. John’s account. Soon after Jesus entered into Jerusalem, He begins to talk to the crowds about His impending betrayal and death. He urges the people to ‘trust in the light’ and to become ‘sons of the light’ before ‘darkness’ overtakes them. This is still an urgent warning in our day. The devil still wants to destroy your soul. Jesus was lifted up, put to death, and raised from the dead that you would be a child of God.
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.
Lenten Response: Return to the Lord, your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and abounding in steadfast love.
Let me know if you have any questions about Holy Week events or the Scripture readings for this Sunday. God bless you, Pastor Boster
