The Sunday Lectionary and Prayers for Sunday, April 2, 2023 — Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday

 

The Sunday Lectionary and Prayers
Sunday, April 2, 2023
Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday

Palm/Passion Sunday
Isaiah 50:4-9a; Psalm 31:9-16;

Philippians 2:5-11; Matthew 27:11-54
(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)

Opening

Our King Palm Sunday

O Lord God, whose Son followed your will, both as Servant and Savior, and now rules in the hearts of those who accept him as King: Open our hearts to his rule, that we may rejoice in the blessings of his kingdom and share with those who honor him with their lives. In his name, we pray. Amen.

The Collect
(from the Book of Common Prayers)

Almighty and everliving God, in your tender love for the human race you sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon him our nature, and to suffer death upon the cross, giving us the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of his suffering, and also share in his resurrection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Call to Confession

Patient God, we confess that we love a parade. We are very happy to see banners waving and hear people shouting their praises. Our hearts thrill to the spectacle. But we fail to see the sadness on the face of the Savior; our shouts block out his sorrow. He comes to us as King, and we expect that royal treatment will follow. We do not and cannot believe that in a few days we will be among those who will turn our backs and run from his presence. How fickle we are, O Lord. Yet you continually forgive us and call us to turn our lives around--to see the needs of others, to reach out in trust and faith, to be willing to witness to your good news of saving love. Heal our hearts and give us courage for the days ahead; for we ask this in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Assurance of Pardon

Though you have fallen short, God reaches out to you in loving forgiveness. God is with you, celebrating this day and walking all the way to the cross with you. For the time of salvation is near.

Today’s Verse-of-the-Day:

Matthew 20:17-19

Now Jesus was going up to Jerusalem. On the way, he took the Twelve aside and said to them, “We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life!”

Imagine yourself as one of the disciples in the story, and you’re on your way to Jerusalem with Jesus. The road is dusty and dirty, and the sun is beating down. As you travel, Jesus begins speaking and predicts His death for a third time. What do you think about this? Are you confused, maybe even concerned? Jesus’ warning about the nature of his path did not apparently register with his disciples. This might be due to the fact that Jesus so often spoke in parables and metaphors.

Today’s Lectionary Readings:
From the Prophetic Books
Isaiah 50:4-9a
The servant submits to suffering

4 The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue,
     to know the word that sustains the weary.
  He wakens me morning by morning,
     wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed.
5 The Sovereign Lord has opened my ears;
     I have not been rebellious,
     I have not turned away.
6 I offered my back to those who beat me,
     my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard;
  I did not hide my face
     from mocking and spitting.
7 Because the Sovereign Lord helps me,
     I will not be disgraced.
  Therefore have I set my face like flint,
     and I know I will not be put to shame.
8 He who vindicates me is near.
     Who then will bring charges against me?
     Let us face each other!
  Who is my accuser?
     Let him confront me!
9a It is the Sovereign Lord who helps me.
      Who will condemn me?

A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions

Psalm 31:9-16
I commend my spirit

In te, Domine, speravi

9 Have mercy on me, O LORD, for I am in trouble; *
    my eye is consumed with sorrow,
      and also my throat and my belly.

10 For my life is wasted with grief,
       and my years with sighing; *
     my strength fails me because of affliction,
       and my bones are consumed.

11 I have become a reproach to all my enemies and
       even to my neighbors,
         a dismay to those of my acquaintance; *
     when they see me in the street they avoid me.

12 I am forgotten like a dead man, out of mind; *
     I am as useless as a broken pot.

13 For I have heard the whispering of the crowd;
       fear is all around; *
     they put their heads together against me;
       they plot to take my life.

14 But as for me, I have trusted in you, O LORD. *
     I have said, “You are my God.

15 My times are in your hand; *
     rescue me from the hand of my enemies,
       and from those who persecute me.

16 Make your face to shine upon your servant, *
     and in your loving-kindness save me.”

Heavenly Father, we live in troubling times. Every nation upon the earth seems to be facing problems that appear humanly insurmountable. Yet, we know that nothing is impossible with You. We pray that You would preserve us from trouble, and protect all who trust in You. Help us to rightly understand the Scriptures, so we will know the way to go and be aware of the times in which we live. No matter what happens, we will rejoice in You with glad and holy hearts. Amen.

From the Epistles
Philippians 2:5-11
Death on a cross

2:5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in very nature God,
     did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
     by taking the very nature of a servant,
     being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
     he humbled himself
     by becoming obedient to death—
         even death on a cross!

9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
     and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
      in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
      to the glory of God the Father.

Gospel Acclamation
(Phil. 2:8-9)

And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name.

How quickly the crowds of Palm Sunday disappear. The loud “Hosannas” echo in the stillness of the night. The cry of the crowd that gathers on Good Friday is not “Hosanna to the highest” but rather, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”

Today’s Gospel Reading
Matthew 27:11-54
The passion and death of Jesus

27:11 Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”

“You have said so,” Jesus replied.

12 When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. 13 Then Pilate asked him, “Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?” 14 But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor.

15 Now it was the governor’s custom at the festival to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. 16 At that time they had a well-known prisoner whose name was Jesus Barabbas. 17 So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” 18 For he knew it was out of self-interest that they had handed Jesus over to him.

19 While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.”

20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.

21 “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor.

“Barabbas,” they answered.

22 “What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” Pilate asked.

They all answered, “Crucify him!”

23 “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate.

But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”

24 When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!”

25 All the people answered, “His blood is on us and on our children!”

26 Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.

27 Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. 28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, 29 and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said. 30 They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. 31 After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.

32 As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross. 33 They came to a place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). 34 There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. 35 When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. 36 And sitting down, they kept watch over him there. 37 Above his head they placed the written charge against him: this is jesus, the king of the jews.

38 Two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. 39 Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads 40 and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!” 41 In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. 42 “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. 43 He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” 44 In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.

45 From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. 46 About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).

47 When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.”

48 Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. 49 The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.”

50 And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.

51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split 52 and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. 53 They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people.

54 When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”

Here end the Readings

Click HERE to read today’s Holy Gospel Lesson message

The Nicene Creed

• We believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible.

• And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, begotten from the Father before all ages, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made; of the same essence as the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven; he became incarnate by the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary, and was made human. He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate; he suffered and was buried. The third day he rose again, according to the Scriptures. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again with glory to judge the living and the dead. His kingdom will never end.

• And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life. He proceeds from the Father and the Son, and with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified. He spoke through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church. We affirm one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look forward to the resurrection of the dead, and to life in the world to come. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

Holy Communion

A nondenominational serving of bread and wine

Though no video can truly replace the experience of celebrating together in our places of worship, we know that where two or more are gathered, the Lord is present. This table is open to all who recognize Jesus Christ as healer and redeemer. This table is open to all who work to bring God’s Kingdom here on earth. No one is turned away because of life circumstances. No one is barred from this table. No one seeking God’s abundant grace and mercy is turned aside. We see before us the abundance that a life of faith offers as we respond to God’s everlasting mercy in prayer and deed.

Benediction

Lord, just as we have entered Jerusalem with you, be with us in all the Jerusalems we will be facing. Guide our steps. Encourage our hearts. Give us abundant faith to follow you. Amen.

Hosanna

Hosanna, blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.

Optional parts of the readings are set off in [square brackets].

The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle, and Gospel lessons are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Responsive Readings from the Common Book of Prayer (1789).

The Daily Lectionary is a three year cyclical lectionary. We are currently in Year A. Beginning with the first Sunday of Advent in 2023, we will be in Year B. The year which ended at Advent 2022 was Year A. These readings complement the Sunday and festival readings: Thursday through Saturday readings help prepare the reader for the Sunday ahead; Monday through Wednesday readings help the reader reflect and digest on what they heard in worship. Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, copyright © 2005 Consultation on Common Texts. www.commontexts.org
The Sunday Lectionary and Prayers for Sunday, April 2, 2023
Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday
Isaiah 50:4-9a; Psalm 31:9-16; Philippians 2:5-11; Matthew 27:11-54

“Palm Sunday: Who Is This?” The Gospel Message for Sunday, April 2, 2023 — Palm Sunday

Our Gospel message comes to us today from the 21st chapter of Matthew, beginning with the 1st verse, “Jesus enters Jerusalem.”

21:1 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”

4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:

5  “Say to Daughter Zion,
     ‘See, your king comes to you,
   gentle and riding on a donkey,
     and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”

6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,

“Hosanna to the Son of David!”

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”

11 The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.” (Matthew 21:1-11)

Are you ever amazed, O Lord, at our responses to the Savior? We get all excited about the parade into Jerusalem. We gather palm fronds and distribute them among those present so that they can wave them in triumph, replicating the parade and the crowd. Children sing the praises of Jesus. Adults remove their cloaks and place them on the road in front of the donkey so that he may not make a misstep. We could stay at this scene forever and enjoy the moment. But we are being called forward, through the gates of the Holy City to the Temple and from the Temple to the Cross. Be with us and give us courage to face what lies ahead. Strengthen our faith that we will remain steadfast at the time of reckoning; for we ask this in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

“Palm Sunday: Who Is This?”

What would you have heard if you had been standing there in that first Palm Sunday crowd as Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey? Keeping your eyes open, imagine it. What would you have heard? If you were listening in the original languages spoken by the people of Jesus’ day, you would have heard something that sounded like “Jesus!” “Jesus!” “Jesus!” over and over again. It was not necessarily that the people were calling out the name that Jesus had been given by his parents. Instead, they were describing what they wanted Jesus to do for them. You see, the word “Jesus” sounds very similar to the word “Hosanna” in the original language of the Bible. The two words “Jesus” and “Hosanna” sound alike, but they share the same root and have nearly identical meanings. They both mean “save, deliver, rescue.” You might remember the Christmas account and the angel who appeared to Joseph in a dream. The angel told Joseph what he was to name the child Mary would give birth to and why. The angel said, “You are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). Therefore, people’s shouts of “Hosanna” were undoubtedly directed to the right person. Jesus’ sole purpose for coming into this world was to save, to rescue, and to deliver people. But FROM WHAT were the people looking for Jesus to save them? They weren’t so much concerned about their sin. They were looking for Jesus to save them from the problems and hardships that they were experiencing.

The Jews were, at best second-rate citizens in the Roman Empire. The power and prestige of the nation of Israel had long since faded. They had no king, no real power or influence, no real place to call their own. At present, the Jews got along with the Romans only because they didn’t really have much of choice but to get along. It had been a long, bloody history where Israel always seemed to come out on the losing end. The Jews looked forward to the day when things would be reversed, and Israel would once again resume what they believed to be its rightful position of power and prestige within the world, a time when life would be good.

Finally, they thought they had found the person to make all these dreams come true. They looked to Jesus and called out, “Jesus. Hosanna! Save us now!” They believed that Jesus could give them exactly what they were looking for, someone who would make their lives easier and more comfortable. After all, Jesus certainly seemed to possess the power they were looking for. Jesus’ reputation had grown throughout Israel during the last three years. He had demonstrated his power and his care in the miracles he performed, healing the sick and suffering and providing free food for thousands. And just recently, he had even raised a dead man named Lazarus back to life. Yes, they called to Jesus to “Hosanna! Save us! Save us from our problems! Rescue us from the ruthless Romans! Restore our nation! Make our lives better! Jesus, save us now!”

Sound familiar? In many people’s minds, that’s what religion is. Religion is about making God into the type of god that THEY want him to be—developing a god that gives you what you want, that fits within the life that you want to live. It is a god that will fix your problems and make you healthy, wealthy, successful, and popular. A god who saves you from life’s problems. In reality, it’s not so much about who GOD actually is but what YOU want god to be and to do for you.

Do we ever find ourselves slipping into that mindset when it comes to Jesus? Do we reduce Jesus to a savior whose primary purpose is to save us from the problems that we are experiencing right now in this life? Do we make Jesus into someone who is merely supposed to make our lives easier? “Jesus, save me from this difficult marriage. Jesus, save me from this mountain of debt. Jesus, save me from this sadness and loneliness. Jesus, save me from this pain and suffering. Jesus, save us from this dreaded coronavirus disease.” Can Jesus take those problems away? Absolutely he can. Can he and does he help us through those problems? Absolutely. But if that’s the ONLY type of Savior Jesus is, someone who fixes our problems in this life, then Jesus is the biggest fraud and phony that has ever lived. If Jesus ONLY came to save us from the problems that we are experiencing right now, then what has Jesus really accomplished? We get 70, 80, 90, 100 years of a comfortable life, and then what happens? After a very comfortable life, we would be lost eternally, separated from God and his blessings because Jesus had addressed the cause of all those problems.

It would be like going to the doctor because you have chronic pain. The doctor says that you have two choices. 1) You can have surgery that will permanently relieve the pain, although the recovery will take a while, OR 2) He can treat the symptoms, which will bring some temporary relief, but the pain will continue to return. Wouldn’t it be so much better to treat the cause even with the time for recovery rather than live with the endless cycle of pain?

Jesus came not merely to treat the symptoms but to address the cause. The very real problems that we face in this life are symptoms of a much larger problem—a problem called sin. We see the symptoms of sin all around us and inside of us. We see them in relationships, selfishness that is more concerned about how something will affect me than someone else, a hatred that causes people to harm others with their words and actions. We see the symptoms of sin in our bodies and minds—sickness, disease, confusion, and loss of abilities. We see the symptoms of sin in nature as natural disasters suddenly strike, causing death and destruction. We see the symptom of sin as we stand beside the grave of a loved one, and the sadness sweeps over us with the separation we now face.

I suppose that Jesus could have just addressed the symptoms of our sin, giving us a life that would be temporarily enjoyable, but Jesus knew better. He wanted better for us. Jesus did not come into this world to be some sort of aspirin or cortisone shot that brings some temporary relief. Jesus came to be the cure for sin. Jesus came to “save his people from their sin.” And what did that rescue require? It required Palm Sunday.

At the beginning of this sermon, I asked you what you would have HEARD if you were standing among the crowd on that first Palm Sunday. Now I want you to imagine what you would have SEEN. Just imagine. You would have seen a man riding on a donkey who looked like any other 33-year-old Jewish man of his day. There was nothing special or unusual about his appearance. But now I want you to see what is not visible. I want you to look past his mere appearance and look at Jesus through the words of Philippians 2, which you read in today’s Sunday Lectionary Readings. This man, Jesus, is none other than the King of glory, the Lord God Almighty, who created and rules over all things. You cannot see his glory because he has chosen to put it aside for a time. He has chosen to live like us, with the same limitations and restrictions that we do. He has chosen to struggle daily against temptation. He has come to take our place. He has come to take our place not only in life but also in death.

In just five days from Palm Sunday, Jesus would leave Jerusalem, not riding a donkey but carrying a cross. The praise of “Save us!” would be replaced with the mockery, “Save yourself!” Jesus would suffer and die in our place and in the place of all people. While on the cross, Jesus would suffer the eternal separation from God that sin deserves so that when our life here on earth comes to an end, we will never need to experience that separation from God.

In one week from Palm Sunday, Jesus would rise from the dead and again make full use of his divine power and glory as the King of glory. With his resurrection, Jesus would proclaim that he has the power to rescue people permanently from this sinful world. Jesus would transform death so that for all those who believe in him, death is now a glorious reunion with fellow Christians, the beginning of a life away from every symptom of this sinful world. You see, Jesus is not just some spiritual cortisone shot to bring some temporary relief from the symptoms of life in this sinful world. Jesus is the cure for sin. As his name says, he is our Rescuer, Deliverer, and Savior. He is our Jesus!

That is the cure that Jesus delivers every time a person is baptized. As the Holy Spirit creates faith in Jesus and gives to that person what he has promised—forgiveness of sins and the promise of life eternal in heaven. That is the cure that Jesus delivers every time a person hears about Jesus and, by the Holy Spirit’s power, trusts that Jesus is their deliverer who will bring them to eternal life. That is the cure that Jesus delivers to us as we receive the Lord’s Supper and hear Jesus announce, “Your sins are forgiven. I will see you in heaven one day.” That is the cure that strengthens us to face the symptoms of life in this sinful world, knowing that one day they will all be over, that Jesus will deliver, save, and rescue us from this world to be with him in heaven’s glory.

What do you hear? What do you see as Jesus enters Jerusalem on Palm Sunday? We hear the cries of “Hosanna!” to the King of Glory, who makes his way to the cross to save us, not merely for now, but to save us from our sins and for eternity.

Let us pray: Praise be to you, O God, who boldly asks us to march into the Jerusalems that confront us each day. We want to think that we will be loved and cherished wherever we go; our witness of faith will be gladly received. But it will not necessarily be so, for there are those who fear faith, who question the reality of your love and healing power. With each step, we take, guide our lives in your paths of peace and hope. Give us the courage and strength to witness your love. Help us feel the powerful presence of Jesus Christ in our lives, calling us to come with him to truth and salvation. Amen.

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Scripture is taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Sermon contributed by Rev. Jonathan Kruschel.
What kind of Jesus are you looking for? The Palm Sunday crowd seemed to be looking for a Jesus to save them from the now, but Jesus is so much more! Jesus is a Savior for eternity!  See Jesus for who he truly is!

The Morning Prayer for Sunday, April 2, 2023

 

The Morning Prayer
Sunday, April 2, 2023

Lift up your eyes to the heavens, look at the earth beneath; the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment and its inhabitants die like flies. But my salvation will last forever, my righteousness will never fail.
Isaiah 51:6, NIV

Lord our God, in you we want to find our strength, in you we want to hold out even in these times. We rejoice that the end is coming, the end you are preparing, when your salvation and justice will come on earth according to your promises. Be with us and with the believing circle given to us through Jesus Christ. Make us alert and give us fresh courage again and again, however difficult life may be. We want to continue to live and find strength in the grace of Jesus Christ, holding on in joy without grumbling and complaining. Lord God, may your name be honored, your kingdom come, and your will be done in us according to your plan. Amen.

Verse of the Day for Sunday, April 2, 2023

 

Verse of the Day 

Sunday, April 2, 2023

Matthew 20:17-19

Now Jesus was going up to Jerusalem. On the way, he took the Twelve aside and said to them, “We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life!”

Imagine yourself as one of the disciples in the story, and you’re on your way to Jerusalem with Jesus. The road is dusty and dirty, and the sun is beating down. As you travel, Jesus begins speaking and predicts His death for a third time. What do you think about this? Are you confused, maybe even concerned? Jesus’ warning about the nature of his path did not apparently register with his disciples. This might be due to the fact that Jesus so often spoke in parables and metaphors.

Read all of Matthew Chapter 20

Listen to Matthew Chapter 20

Scripture from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

Travel the World from Home — A Deadly Crossing for God’s Chosen People

 

The Holy Land:
Connecting the Land with Its Stories
A Deadly Crossing for God’s Chosen People
Season 3 — Episode 7

How can a place that struggled so long to understand who God was now help us understand who He is?

“The Holy Land: Connecting the Land with Its Stories” Season 3 is a nine-episode series hosted by Dr. John (Jack) Beck that takes you to the Jordan River Valley systems to experience the land, the culture, and the customs that surround the sacred stories of the Bible.

In the seventh episode of “The Holy Land” Season 3, travel to the Jordan River with Dr. Jack Beck to learn more about how Joshua and the Israelites’ crossing of this water system still impacts us today.

Season 3 — Episode 7 | A Deadly Crossing for God’s Chosen People