Saturday prior to Palm Sunday

[1]

Matthew 21:16 – This verse is the inspiration for the hymn, “All Glory Laud and Honor” {LSB #442} This verse is a quotation from Psalm 8. Infants and children give thanks and praise to the Savior. As Palm Sunday looms a host of Old Testament scriptures will be fulfilled by Jesus’ Passion.  Christ is the fulfillment of all Old Testament prophecy. He is the center of the book of books, the Bible. 

he first Palm Sunday was a mob scene. Jesus, riding a borrowed donkey, no weapons, no army, entered Roman-occupied Jerusalem with thousands of other Jews to celebrate Passover. By the end of the week, the people waving palm branches and crying “Hosanna” (“save us!”) would call for his death on a Roman cross. His closest friends would keep their distance or outright deny knowing him.

Every year, Christians around the world recount the events of Holy Week and Easter through our hymns. And, every Palm Sunday we stand, waving branches, to sing  “ALL GLORY, LAUD AND HONOR,” words penned in a prison tower by a man of faith who kept his equilibrium, though the wheel of fortune had turned, taking him from venerated to vilified.

THEODULPH’S SONG OF PRAISE

Theodulph, Bishop of Orléans, (c. 750-821) had been a celebrated poet in Charlemagne’s court during a period of medieval renaissance. Widely hailed as a friend of the poor, he helped institute a number of enlightened reforms and, with a nod from the emperor, built public schools.

After Charlemagne’s death, Louis the Pious inherited the throne. Petty and paranoid, he had many people rounded up and held captive, including Theodulph.

Walls and locks cannot confine creativity or faith. Theodulph, the condemned poet, continued to write, including these words of praise in Latin, “Gloria, laus et honor tibi sit, Rex Christe, Redemptor.”

According to the legend, on Palm Sunday in the year 820, when the paranoid emperor passed by the prison tower in a procession of palm-wavers, Theodulph stood at his window and loudly sang.

All glory, laud and honor
to you, Redeemer, King,
to whom the lips of children
made sweet hosannas ring.
The people of the Hebrews
with palms before you went;
our praise and prayer and anthems
before you we present.[2]

 

Collect for Saturday of the week of Lent 5: God our Father, you always work to save us, and now we  rejoice in the great love you give to your chosen people. Protect all who are about to become your children, and continue to bless those who are already baptized. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen [3]

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[1] Palm Sunday Images, © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

[2]http://askherabouthymn.com/what-palm-sunday-favorite-was-written-by-an-imprisoned-poet

[3] Collect for Saturday of the week of Lent 5, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. III © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

Friday prior to Palm Sunday

[1]

Psalm 118:19-28 The Psalm appointed for this coming Sunday. This section seems to be the answer and a great thanksgiving song, which echoes the “Give thanks” of verse 1, the “answered …me” of verse 5 and the testimony of verse 14.  

Psalm 118 – The Chief Cornerstone

Psalm 118 does not name an author in its title, but there is reason to believe it was King David, the Sweet Psalmist of Israel. Ezra 3:10-11 suggests that Psalm 118 was sung at the founding of the second temple, and when they sang it, they attributed it to David (“according to the ordinance of David king of Israel,” Ezra 3:10).

Most probably, David was the author of this psalm…. It partakes of David’s spirit, and everywhere shows the hand of a master. The style is grand and noble; the subject, majestic.

Though this was likely David’s psalm, it was also Jesus’ psalm. “This is pre-eminently the triumph song of the Christ, He the ideal Servant, He the perfect Priest, He the Leader of the people. How much all these words meant to Him as He sang them on that night in the upper room.”

Though this was likely David’s psalm, it was also Luther’s psalm. “This is my own beloved psalm. Although the entire Psalter and all of Holy Scripture are dear to me as my only comfort and source of life, I fell in love with this psalm especially. Therefore, I call it my own. When emperors and kings, the wise and the learned and even saints could not aid me, this psalm proved a friend and helped me out of many great troubles. As a result, it is dearer to me than all the wealth, honor, and power of the pope, the Turk, and the emperor. I would be most unwilling to trade this psalm for all of it.” (Martin Luther)[2]

Collect for Psalm 118: Lord God, your Son, rejected by the builders, has become the cornerstone of the Church. Shed rays of your glory upon your Church, that it may be seen as the gate of salvation open to all nations. Let cries of joy and exultation ring out from its courts to celebrate the wonder of Christ’s resurrection, now and forever. Amen [3]

Collect for Friday of the week of Lent 5: Grant us your forgiveness, and set us free from our enslavement to sin. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen [4]

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[1] Palm Sunday Images, © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

[2]https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/psalm-118

[3] Collect for Psalm 118, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. III © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

[4] Ibid, Collect for Friday of the week of Lent 5

 

Thursday prior to Psalm Sunday Psalm

[1]

John 12:20-43 – In the Gospel lesson Jesus suffers the death of the cross as we view the history of Jesus’ passion. The cross of Christ produces a response. It is not an ordinary death, which might cause only sympathy. There is a positive response by those with at least neutral eyes as expressed by a professional soldier, “Truly this was the Son of God.”

Jesus knew how awful His death would be but He also knew that it was His purpose and so rather than forgo it, rather than ask the Father to save Him from crucifixion, He chose to glorify Him. It is not a sin to feel the angst and difficulty of the sacrifices made for God. It is in remembering their purpose that we can go through it. That is how Jesus managed it. He took His eyes off Himself and put them on the big picture of God’s purpose, which is God’s glory.  And the Father answered Jesus so that everyone could hear! “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” God was glorified in Jesus birth and life and He would be glorified in His death and resurrection. It wasn’t Jesus who needed the audible comfort. It was the listeners. Jesus continued teaching in verses 31-33.

“Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33 He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die.”[2]

Collect for Thursday of the week of Lent 5: Lord, come to us; free us from the stain of our sins. Help us to remain faithful to a holy way of life, and guide us to the inheritance you have promised. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. [3]

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[1] Palm Sunday Images, © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

[2]https://www.donnalcampbell.com/salt--light-devotionals/john-1220-43-jesus-died-publicly-for-you-will-you-live-publicly-for-him

[3] Collect for Thursday of the week of Lent 5, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. III © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY 

 

Wednesday prior to Palm Sunday

 

[1]

Philippians 2:5-11 - In our Epistle lesson we learn that as an obedient servant Jesus humbles Himself to die on a cross. As He humbles Himself even to death, God exalts Him.  Because Jesus came down to the humiliation of the cross, Jesus was raised in exaltation. There are two sides of a coin. Jesus taught that He who humbles himself would be exalted, and the reverse applies. During Holy Week, we watch Jesus stooping to the lowest level by dying a criminal’s most horrible death and on Easter He is raised to glory. His exaltation will not be complete until every knee shall bow and every tongue confesses Him as Lord.   

“Let the same mind be in you…”

Paul incorporates this hymn into his letter in the service of pastoral theology. He is thankful for the Philippians’ care for him and support of his ministry (1:3-8), yet there are some problems in the community. In particular, Paul is concerned about dissension among members (2:2-4; 4:2-3), and about “opponents” who preach righteousness based on circumcision and law observance (1:28; 3:2-3, 7-11, 18-19). Paul urges the Philippians to live “in a manner worthy of the gospel” so that he will know that they are “standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind for the faith of the gospel” (1:27).[2]

Collect for Wednesday of the week of lent 5: Father of mercy, hear the prayers of your repentant children who call on your in love. Enlighten our minds and sanctify our hearts. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. [3] Amen

Collect for the Annunciation of our Lord (March 25): O Lord, as we have known the incarnation of Your Son, Jesus Christ, by the message of the angel to the virgin Mary, so by the message of His cross and passion bring us to the glory 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. Amen.

[1] Palm Sunday Images, © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

[2]https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/name-of-jesus/commentary-on-philippians-25-11-2

[3] Collect for Wednesday of Lent 5 and the Annunciation of our Lord Lutheran Service Book copyright 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis 

Tuesday prior to Palm Sunday

[1]

Isaiah 50:4-9a- In the Old Testament lesson God’s servant suffers willingly because of his trust in God. God’s servant faces suffering confident of God’s help.  The suffering of the Messiah was not only physical but also mental and emotional. This may be a worse form of hurt – hurt feelings. The Servant as a faithful follower of God endures shameful treatment. His enemies pull out his beard and spit in His face. Jesus endures this form of suffering: the soldiers dressed him as a king, the superscription above His head, crucified between two criminals, exposed naked before a crowd, taunted and mocked: “If you are the Son of God…” 

“The Lord Yahweh has given me the tongue of those who are taught (a disciple or learned person), that I may know how to sustain with words him who is weary“(v. 4a). This is the voice of the Servant—in this instance, apparently the prophet. It can hardly be the nation Israel here, because it is Israel who is weary and needs sustaining. Also, these verses describe a kind of faithful discipleship that does not describe Israel in this time.

The phrase, “The Lord Yahweh” four times in these verses (vv. 4, 5, 7, 9). In each instance, the Lord God enables the Servant—”has given me a tongue” (v. 4), “has opened my ear” (v. 5), “will help me” (v. 7), “will help me” (v. 9). Not only does “the Lord Yahweh” empower the Servant, but these references serve to authenticate the Servant’s work.

The Lord God has given the Servant the tongue of a teacher (or a disciple or a learned person). This suggests that there has been an ongoing communication between God and the Servant—with God conveying wisdom and the Servant listening, as good disciples do, to absorb every syllable. Without having listened to God, the Servant would have nothing to say to his weary people. Having listened, however, the Servant has God-given power to sustain the weary. That is no mean feat, because these people have suffered through a long exile and are very, very weary. God has commissioned the Servant to encourage them—to bring them hope. That would be impossible except that God makes it possible.[2]

Collect for Tuesday of the week of Lent 5: Lord, help us to do you will, that your Church may grow and become more faithful in your service. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen [3]

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[1] Palm Sunday Images, © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

[2]https://sermonwriter.com/biblical-commentary/old-testament-isaiah-504-9a-commentary

[3] Collect for Tuesday of the week of Lent 5, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. III © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

 

Monday prior to Palm Sunday

[1]

Psalm 31 The Antiphon for this coming week’s Introit is taken from verse 31, Into Your hands I commit my spirit; redeem me, O lord, the God of truth. This Psalm is a prayer of deliverance when confronted by conspiracy so powerful and open that all David’s friends abandoned him. Where do we go when we feel as if we haven’t a friend? We go to Jesus, our friend and confidante our Savior and our Redeemer.

Psalm 31 – Shelter from Trouble in the secret places of God’s presence

This psalm is simply titled,To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. The dedication to the chief musician proves that this song of mingled measures and alternate strains of grief and woe was intended for public singing, and thus a deathblow is given to the notion that nothing but praise should be sung. We have no definite marking place in David’s life for this psalm because he was so often in trouble. It resonates with deep and personal trust in God in the depths of difficulty.

An interesting feature of this psalm is that it is often quoted in other passages of Scripture.

The author of Psalm 71 (possibly David himself) quotes the first three verses of Psalm 31 to start Psalm 71.

Jonah seems to quote Psalm 31:6 in Jonah 2:8, his prayer from the belly of the great fish.

Jeremiah quoted Psalm 31:13 six times, in Jeremiah 6:25; 20:3; 20:10; 46:5; 49:29, and Lamentations 2:22.

Paul quoted Psalm 31:24 in 1 Corinthians 16:13 (according to Adam Clarke, this is more clear in the Septuagint – the early Greek translation of the Old Testament).

Most significantly, Psalm 31:5 was quoted by Jesus Christ on the cross as His final words before yielding His life (Luke 23:46). Stephen, the first martyr of the church, also alluded to Psalm 31:5 (Acts 7:59).[2]

Collect for Psalm 31: God of kindness and truth, you saved your chosen one Jesus Christ and you give your martyrs strength. Watch over your people who come to you now, and strengthen the hearts of those who hope in you, that they may proclaim your saving acts of kindness in the eternal city; though your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. [3]

Collect for Monday of the week of Lent 5: Father of lover, source of all blessings, help us to pass from our old life of sin to the new life of grace. Prepare us for the glory of your kingdom. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son, who lives, and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. [4]

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[1] Palm Sunday Images, © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

[2]https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/psalm-31

[3] Collect for Psalm 31, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. III © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

[4] Ibid, Collect for Monday of the week of Lent 5

 

Palm Sunday study notes

 

Collect for Palm Sunday—Almighty and everlasting God the Father, who sent Your Son to take our nature upon Him and to suffer death on the cross that all mankind should follow the example of His great humility, mercifully grant that we may both follow the example of our Savior Jesus Christ in His patience and also have our portion in His resurrection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

PALM SUNDAY / SUNDAY OF THE PASSION

Series A 
Isaiah 50:4–9a
Philippians 2:5–11
Matthew 26:1—27:66 or Matthew 27:11–66 or John 12:20–43 

Now Is the Hour When the Son of Man Is Glorified

“Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming.” He comes in gentle humility, “sitting on a donkey’s colt,” yet also as the King of Israel “in the name of the Lord” (John 12:13, 15). His royal glory is faithful obedience and self-sacrificing service “to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:8). The love of God is manifested in the cross and Passion of His Son for the salvation of sinners. Since He has borne our sins and suffered our death, “God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name” (Philippians 2:9), and He exalts us in His resurrection. Our Lord did not hide His face “from disgrace and spitting” (Isaiah 50:6), but He trusted His God and Father, who raised Him from death and the grave and exalted Him to His right hand. This same King Jesus now comes to us in gentle humility in His Supper, where He feeds us with His body and cleanses and covers us with His blood, so that “after his resurrection” we also shall rise and enter the holy city (Matthew 27:52–53).

Series B
Zechariah 9:9–12
Philippians 2:5–11
Mark 14:1—15:47 or Mark 15:1–47 or John 12:20–43

The Son of David Ascends His Throne and Reigns in Love from His Cross

The Son of David comes in gentle humility, “sitting on a donkey’s colt,” yet as the King of Israel “in the name of the Lord” (John 12:13–15). He comes to be lifted up in glory on the cross in order to cast out “the ruler of this world” and draw all people to Himself (John 12:23–32). The Church is thus called to “rejoice greatly,” because her King comes with salvation, and “he shall speak peace to the nations” (Zechariah 9:9–10). As He is anointed “beforehand for burial” (Mark 14:8), He also ascends His royal throne as “the King of the Jews” by way of His Passion (Mark 15:2, 17–19, 26). He goes “as it is written of him,” wherefore “you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power” (Mark 14:21, 62). For the glory of God is love, which crescendos in the humble obedience and voluntary self-sacrifice of the Son of God for the salvation of sinners. So, God the Father has “highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name” (Philippians 2:9), that He might reign over us in love with the forgiveness of His cross.   

Series C
Deuteronomy 32:36–39
Philippians 2:5–11
Luke 22:1–23:56 (or Luke 23:1–56 or John 12:20–43). Or John 12:12-19 

The Cross and Passion of Our Lord Are the Hour of His Glory

The King of Israel comes into His royal glory by the path of humble obedience “to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:8). He “goes as it has been determined” (Luke 22:22), according to the Scriptures, willingly submitting to His Father’s plan for the salvation of sinners. “Therefore God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name” (Philippians 2:9). His suffering and death open the way of repentance for the forgiveness of sins because He goes to the cross bearing the sins of the world. In His resurrection, God the Father vindicates His people and has compassion on His servants (Deuteronomy 32:36). He kills to make alive; He wounds in order to heal. In remembrance of Him, we praise God, confessing “that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:11).

John 12.12-19

John 12:12 – 

Τῇ ἐπαύριον ὁ ὄχλος πολὺς ὁ ἐλθὼν εἰς τὴν ἑορτήν, ἀκούσαντες ὅτι ἔρχεται [b]ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα,

The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem.

dative of time the crowd who was already there had heard...

John 12:13 –

ἔλαβον τὰ βαΐα τῶν φοινίκων καὶ ἐξῆλθον εἰς ὑπάντησιν αὐτῷ, καὶ ἐκραύγαζον· Ὡσαννά, εὐλογημένος ὁ ἐρχόμενος ἐν ὀνόματι κυρίου, [d]καὶ ὁ βασιλεὺς τοῦ Ἰσραήλ. 

So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!”

> they took branches of the palm trees, they came out and began to cry out "hosanna blessed is the coming one..." 

> This is what they would do to a returning King...and we shall greet Him when He comes and we shall meet Him...quoting Psalm 118:25-27   John the Baptist's question, "are you the Coming One..." 

> How do they misunderstand this? What kind of Jews are these? Galileans, Zealots, a common crowd, did they understand who He was?  The gospel He accomplishes all things in spite of people's understanding/expectations. See "what tramp of feet"   See Lev. 23.40; 2 Maccabees 10; 1 Maccabees 13; - the feast of booths....did they get the holiday mixed up or was this merely a celebration...was this the day they selected the lamb...Selection Sunday...

John 12:14-15 –  

εὑρὼν δὲ ὁ Ἰησοῦς ὀνάριον ἐκάθισεν ἐπ’ αὐτό, καθώς ἐστιν γεγραμμένον· 15 Μὴ φοβοῦ, θυγάτηρ Σιών· ἰδοὺ ὁ βασιλεύς σου ἔρχεται, καθήμενος ἐπὶ πῶλον ὄνου.

 And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written 15 “Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey's colt!”

illustration Christ comes in on a young colt the new covenant now replaces the old. This is victory, but it doesn't fit people's expectations - He is a crazy, irresponsible,  reckless King illustrated by his parables. See Matthew's quote Zachariah 9, Isaiah 40:9,  see Luther's sermon on Advent 1 - the God Who comes to us. See also "Luther on the Psalms," see Ps. 113 

John 12:16 –

ταῦτα οὐκ ἔγνωσαν αὐτοῦ οἱ μαθηταὶ τὸ πρῶτον, ἀλλ’ ὅτε ἐδοξάσθη Ἰησοῦς τότε ἐμνήσθησαν ὅτι ταῦτα ἦν ἐπ’ αὐτῷ γεγραμμένα καὶ ταῦτα ἐποίησαν αὐτῷ.  

His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him. 

> at first his disciples didn't understand these things only after He had been glorified...in John's gospel "being glorified" always refers to good Friday.  cf. the Emmaus disciples event. John writes these event so we get it...see LSB setting #4 - John is admitting confusion here...we did not understand. 

John 12:17 – 

ἐμαρτύρει οὖν ὁ ὄχλος ὁ ὢν μετ’ αὐτοῦ ὅτε τὸν Λάζαρον ἐφώνησεν ἐκ τοῦ μνημείου καὶ ἤγειρεν αὐτὸν ἐκ νεκρῶν. 

The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to bear witness. 

> therefore the crowd who was with him from the time of Lazarus.  

> Are there two crowds, one telling/confessing, the other seeking/coming?  

John 12:18 – 

διὰ τοῦτο καὶ ὑπήντησεν αὐτῷ ὁ ὄχλος ὅτι [h]ἤκουσαν τοῦτο αὐτὸν πεποιηκέναι τὸ σημεῖον.

 The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign.

> many came out to greet him because of the miracle, see Vv. 9-11

John 12:19 –

οἱ οὖν Φαρισαῖοι εἶπαν πρὸς ἑαυτούς· Θεωρεῖτε ὅτι οὐκ ὠφελεῖτε οὐδέν· ἴδε ὁ [i]κόσμος ὀπίσω αὐτοῦ ἀπῆλθεν.

So the Pharisees said to one another, “You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, the world has gone after him.”

> this is getting us nowhere...see how the whole world is going after him.

-The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition. Copyright © 2010 by Society of Biblical Literature and Logos Bible Software

-ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

-Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts, ‘The Triumphal Entry’© WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use

-LCMS Lectionary notes © 2018

-Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing