The Theme for Palm Sunday is “The Nature of God’s Love”. In the Old Testament lesson (Deuteronomy 32:36-39) Love is seen as compassion. God has compassion on His people in their extremity. In the Epistle lesson (Philippians 2:5-11) Love is shown in humble service. Christ humbled Himself and God exalted Him. In the Gospel lesson (Luke 23:1-49) Love as sacrifice is seen as Christ goes to the cross and we observe the trials and death of Jesus. If the church observes Palm Sunday the Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem (Luke 19:28-40) is read.
Collect for Palm Sunday Almighty and everlasting 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, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Monday, 22 March 2010—Psalm 24:7-10, Antiphon, Psalm 118:26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! We bless You from the house of the Lord. The one who with god’s help defeated the enemies “in the name of the Lord” from God’s very presence. The plural is used as a reference to God alone who deserves worship and praise. The crowd that gathered around Jesus when He rode into Jerusalem on His Triumphal Entry sang Vv. 25-26 of this famous psalm.
Collect for Palm Sunday Almighty and everlasting 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, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Monday, 22 March 2010—Psalm 24:7-10, Antiphon, Psalm 118:26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! We bless You from the house of the Lord. The one who with god’s help defeated the enemies “in the name of the Lord” from God’s very presence. The plural is used as a reference to God alone who deserves worship and praise. The crowd that gathered around Jesus when He rode into Jerusalem on His Triumphal Entry sang Vv. 25-26 of this famous psalm.
Tuesday, 23 March 2010—Psalm 118:19-29; key verse v26 Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord. Again, these are the words used to praise Jesus when He came in triumph. At the end of that day and by the end of the week He would be rejected. The people simply wanted a different kind of King. What sort of king are you seeking? Does Jesus fit the profile? If not, for what sort of king should you seek?
Wednesday, 24 March 2010— Deuteronomy 32:36-39– God has compasis0on on His people in their extremity. God’s opportunity is Man’s extremity. Consider the condition of man. He is powerless – “Their power is gone.” He is nothing – “There is none remaining” Then there is God’s opportunity – Vindication – “The Lord will vindicate His people” and compassion – “Compassion on His servants.”
Thursday, 25 March 2010—Philippians 2:5-11 – Paul seems to be going in two opposite directions. Christ’s going down in humility and going up in exaltation. The key is that no one can go up unless he first goes down. Holy Week is the period of Christ’s going down even to the depth of death. Because of this, we can anticipate His rising from the dead to the right hand of the father. Paul urges his people to have this same mind of humility that God may exalt them.
Friday, 26 March 2010 – Luke 19:28-40– Jesus sent two disciples to bring Him a colt 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 priest-hood. His examiner was in despair and told him that he was so stupid that he was only half an ass. The candidate replied that is 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 ponder these realities. You are needed. (v.31) And you can carry Jesus to others. (v.35)
Saturday, 27 March 2009—-John 12:12-15; Psalm 118:26; Psalm 24:7-9- Sunday’s hymn of the day is All Glory, Laud, and Honor (442 LSB). Today is the day in which we worship Jesus as He rode into the streets of Jerusalem as Lord and King. In many churches the youth are confirmed. If not it is a wonderful opportunity to reaffirm your confirmation vows. Some of the most moving and dramatic readings and reflections happen on Palm Sunday it is both a happy and somber mood. Christ is hailed and at the same time rejected. He offers Himself only to be refused. If Jesus were to come to your fair city what sort of reception might He receive?
Prayers from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 and Lutheran Worship © 1980 Concordia Publishing House
Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use
Lectionary Preaching Workbook Series C – John Brokhoff © 1979 CSS Publishing, Lima, OH
Saturday, 27 March 2009—-John 12:12-15; Psalm 118:26; Psalm 24:7-9- Sunday’s hymn of the day is All Glory, Laud, and Honor (442 LSB). Today is the day in which we worship Jesus as He rode into the streets of Jerusalem as Lord and King. In many churches the youth are confirmed. If not it is a wonderful opportunity to reaffirm your confirmation vows. Some of the most moving and dramatic readings and reflections happen on Palm Sunday it is both a happy and somber mood. Christ is hailed and at the same time rejected. He offers Himself only to be refused. If Jesus were to come to your fair city what sort of reception might He receive?
Prayers from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 and Lutheran Worship © 1980 Concordia Publishing House
Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use
Lectionary Preaching Workbook Series C – John Brokhoff © 1979 CSS Publishing, Lima, OH
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