The Passion Narrative

This Sunday is known as Palm/Passion Sunday. On Sunday we will be giving attention to both emphases for this day. Yes, we will have the palms to wave; in addition, the congregation will be doing a dramatic reading of the Passion narrative from John's Gospel. Six members of the church will be taking on parts along with the congregation as a whole responding at appropriate times.

I do like it when we can get a larger segment of Scripture presented to us. Usually, we only hear snippets of Scripture on Sundays. This Sunday, we can follow the entire Passion narrative as presented in John's Gospel.

It's interesting to note that a third of the Gospels is devoted to the Passion story. Why so much? I believe it is because of the saving act of Jesus' death. Although it is a tragic part of his life, in the end it was good for us.

I look forward to us taking on this reading during the service.

Have you ever read through the entire passion story for yourself in one sitting? What details in the story really stick out for you?

Jesus as Our High Priest

I wonder how often we think of Jesus as being in a priestly role? Consider this: We might think of him as a prophet and issuing some significant words for his time and for the future. We certainly think of him as being a king, as we celebrate Christ the King as the last Sunday of the liturgical year. But now we come our reading this Sunday, which refers to Jesus in his role as a high priest.

The role of the high priest was to offer sacrifice on behalf of his people and also to intercede for them. In Hebrews 5:10, it refers to Jesus as "having been designated by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek." We come to that mysterious figure of Melchizedek, mentioned in several places in this letter as well as in Genesis and the Psalms. He is the king without genealogy.

As Jesus took on the role of a high priest, he did not come to offer any sacrifice on our behalf. He himself was the sacrifice. He gave his life to pay for our sins.

The text also mentions that Jesus learned obedience through what he suffered. Hebrews 5:8 This fits in with the purpose for which the letter of Hebrews was written. It was written for people who were falling away from their faith in Christ. Let's think of how easy it might be to fall away from one's faith today. Your life isn't going right. You despair of world conditions. Religion just doesn's make sense anymore. Any reason to keep attending church?

I firmly believe that part of our suffering as Christians involves our loyalty to Jesus. There might be times when we are belittled for our faith or maybe we feel our prayers aren't answered. It's easy to get on the bandwagon of saying that religion just isn't working.

Jesus calls us to be obedient through our suffering. Jesus has endured the worst that this world offers. As our high priest, he is one who intercedes on our behalf. We recall how passionate he was in praying with loud cries and tears. He is still praying for you and me.

Do you feel that you are suffering for your faith at all? Have you ever thought much about Jesus as being your high priest?

The Cross as God's Saving Instrument

May you hold high the cross of Christ!

The Law of the Lord Gives Wisdom

What comes to your mind when you think of law? Restrictions. Limitations. I believe it's easy for us to think of the law as nothing but prohibitions. Yet, there is a positive attitude that one finds toward the law as found in Scripture. The psalmist wrote: "The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of the Lord are sure, making wise the simple." Psalm 19:7

The psalmist extols the law of God because of the good that can come from it. The positive value is for our well-being and so that we can live in harmony with others in our society.

When we "break" the commandments, they "break" us. The law comes as being the will of God for our lives. It's all tied in with creation and how God desires us to live.

Jesus gave two great commandments, which centered on loving God and loving our neighbor. If we get these right, we not only are living rightly, but also will find it that these commandments will revive our souls.

My message on Sunday will explore our attitude toward the law of God. Can we develop a healthy attitude in living with what God has given us to follow?

What is your attitude toward the law? Have you typically seen it as being restrictive or life-giving?

Living in Faith

Ever hear of a promise that was too good to be true? Did you believe it? What was the outcome?

I believe nothing can top the promise God made to Abraham that his descendants would be numerous--considering that Abraham and Sarah did not have their own children, and they were both up in years when the promise was made. When God told Abraham that his wife would have a child, it became a test of faith.

Here's the point: Abraham believed God's promise. Sarah gave birth to Isaac.

The apostle Paul wrote that Abraham's faith "was reckoned as righteousness." Romans 4:22 Abraham was convinced that God would fulfill the promise.

Abraham was able to have such a faith because it was based on who God was. Abraham was aware of the character of God that God would not go back on any promise. In addition, Abraham must have believed that God was capable of bringing the promise to fulfillment.

That's how our faith can be so dynamic. It's not so much about us, as it is about God. If you do doubt God's power, I would wonder if you really know who God is? I will explore this aspect in my message on Sunday, looking at the kind of God we have and also what it means to have faith.

Ever doubt that God could really deliver in your life? Is there anything that might make it difficult for us to still have such a faith in God's promises today?