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It has long been a practice in the Church to read the four accounts of Christ’s Passion during Holy Week. How long it has been a practice, I cannot say; but it certainly dates back at least to the Reformation, … Continue reading
Tag Archives: Holy Week
“It Is Finished” (John 19:17-30) “Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), ‘I thirst.’ A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop … Continue reading
“Love Received, Love to Give” (John 13:1-17, 31b-35) “Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.” Yes, Jesus did that. And he also tells his disciples: “A new commandment I give to you, … Continue reading
“Annunciation, Acclamation, Crucifixion” (Luke 1:30-33; Mark 11:1-10; 15:1-39) Today is a day in the church year that goes by two names, “Palm Sunday” and the “Sunday of the Passion.” This is Palm Sunday, the day when our Lord Jesus Christ … Continue reading
Lambs at Pasture for Holy Week and its Answer Keys are now available for download. Palmarum / Palm Sunday Palmarum / Palm Sunday Answer Key Maundy Thursday Maundy Thursday Answer Key Good Friday Good Friday Answer Key Holy Saturday Holy … Continue reading
“The Suffering, Sacrificing, Saving Servant” (Isaiah 52:13 – 53:12) “Behold, my servant,” says the Lord. Yes, behold him today. Behold the servant of the Lord serving in a most unexpected way: serving by suffering. Today on this Good Friday we … Continue reading
“The Catechism in Six Parts: The Sacrament of the Altar” Tonight we conclude our series on “The Catechism in Six Parts.” So far in the Catechism we’ve looked at the Ten Commandments, the Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, the Sacrament of … Continue reading
“Holy Week: In Like a Lion, Out Like a Lamb” (Matthew 21:1-11; 27:11-66) “In like a lion, out like a lamb.” Have you heard that saying before? It refers to the month of March. The idea is that March usually … Continue reading
“Hosanna!” the crowd cries out on Palm Sunday. “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” The people had sung these words before. They’re right out of Psalm 118:25-26. “Hosanna” is a transliteration of two Hebrew words … Continue reading
“Not One of His Bones Will Be Broken” (John 19:31-37) It’s Friday, and darkness falls over the land. On a cross, a man who has been nailed there is dying a shameful and agonizing death. Yet this is no criminal. … Continue reading
“Love One Another, as I Have Loved You” (John 13:1-17, 31b-35) “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” So said Jesus to … Continue reading
Synod President Pastor Matthew Harrison is doing live video devotionals on facebook each day this week at 8:30am. Facebook users who have the feature can “live subscribe” to get notification when these are about to me published each day; hold … Continue reading
“He Humbled Himself” (Philippians 2:5-11) Have you ever been humbled? Yes, humbled, brought low. Maybe you were humbled when you got beat really badly in a game of Scrabble. Maybe you won that game of Scrabble, and you got the … Continue reading
“Eloi, Eloi, Lema Sabachthani?” (Isaiah 52:13 – 53:12; Psalm 22; Mark 15:1-47) “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” This is one of the seven words from the cross, that is, one of the seven times Jesus spoke during his crucifixion. “Eloi, Eloi, … Continue reading
“Blood of the Covenant” (Exodus 24:3-11; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17; Mark 14:12-26) “Blood” and “covenant” go together in the Bible pretty much all the time. Whenever God establishes a covenant with people, generally it is sealed with blood. And tonight is … Continue reading
“Your Committed and Determined King” (Mark 11:1-10; 14:12-26) Today is a Sunday that goes by two names, “Palm Sunday” and the “Sunday of the Passion.” As such, we get readings for both of these emphases. There is the Palm Sunday … Continue reading
“But Deliver Us from Evil” (The Lord’s Prayer; Luke 23:32-49) “But Deliver Us from Evil”: The seventh and final petition of the Lord’s Prayer. And how appropriate that we should come to this petition on this particular day, Good Friday. … Continue reading
“Lead Us Not into Temptation” (The Lord’s Prayer; Luke 22:1-46) During this Lenten season we’ve been doing a series on the Lord’s Prayer called “Lord, Teach Us to Pray.” And that’s exactly what our Lord does on this Holy Thursday … Continue reading
“Who Is This?” (Matthew 21:1-11; 27:11-66) “Who is this?” That would seem to be the question of the day for this day that serves as both Palm Sunday and the Sunday of the Passion. “Who is this?” That’s what the … Continue reading
“O Dearest Jesus, What Law Hast Thou Broken?” (Luke 23:1-56) “O Dearest Jesus, What Law Hast Thou Broken?” Short answer: None. But then why all this pain and sorrow and death on this day when Jesus is sentenced and crucified … Continue reading
“The New Covenant in My Blood” (Luke 22:7-20) “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.” So said Jesus on this night, this night on which he was betrayed, this Holy Thursday when … Continue reading
“From Palms to Passion” (Luke 19:28-40; 22:1 – 23:56) Today is a day that goes by two names. The one that we’re probably more familiar with is “Palm Sunday.” For it was on this day that Jesus made his triumphal … Continue reading
“Who Are the April Fools? How Do You View Jesus?” (1 Corinthians 1:18-25) “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and … Continue reading
LCMS President Matthew Harrison has posted a video message for our meditation this week, “Blessed Holy Week.” Click to watch. And I’ve posted a transcript below. [youtube oyceTtqCcTA 600] Matthew Harrison, President, The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod “Blessed Holy Week” This … Continue reading