Palm Sunday, The Passion of the Lord
“With face set like flint,”this Sunday’s first reading tells us (Isaiah 50:7), Jesus approaches the moment of his Passion in Jerusalem.
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Month: March 2013
Palm Sunday: Philippians 2:5-11 ESV – make yourself nothing
Reading: Philippians 2:5-11 ESV
Digital painting – Gicleé on canvas
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Prayer: Lord Jesus – you made yourself nothing so that we could become something… a holy people… a people belonging to God… a people who have received God’s mercy. As we approach this Holy Week of Passion, may we walk with you from the Mount of Olives to the Upper Room… on to Gethsemane and through the Court system… then along the Via Dolorosa to the Cross… and finally to the Empty Tomb. May we empty ourselves of all pride and privilege – even the basic instinct of self-preservation – and make ourselves nothing so that we might join the heavenly throng proclaiming “Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Amen.
Spiritual Song: “Above All” – Lenny LeBlanc
Morning Reading: Luke 14:7-14 NLT – guest seating
Reading: Luke 14:7-14 NLT
When Jesus noticed that all who had come to the dinner were trying to sit in the seats of honor near the head of the table, he gave them this advice: “When you are invited to a wedding feast, don’t sit in the seat of honor. What if someone who is more distinguished than you has also been invited? The host will come and say, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then you will be embarrassed, and you will have to take whatever seat is left at the foot of the table!
Philippe de Champaigne (c1656)
“Instead, take the lowest place at the foot of the table. Then when your host sees you, he will come and say, ‘Friend, we have a better place for you!’ Then you will be honored in front of all the other guests. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Then he turned to his host. “When you put on a luncheon or a banquet,” he said, “don’t invite your friends, brothers, relatives, and rich neighbors. For they will invite you back, and that will be your only reward. Instead, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. Then at the resurrection of the righteous, God will reward you for inviting those who could not repay you.”
Prayer: Lord Jesus – once again you challenge me to see life through your eyes. Help me to welcome people into my life and love them, not because they can do something for me, but because they are made in your image – to honor them, is to honor you. May you receive all honor and glory. Amen.
Spiritual Song: “The Table of Grace” -Phillips, Craig & Dean (YouTube)
Morning Reading: Luke 14:1-6 NLT – Sabbath work
Reading: Luke 14:1-6 NLT
One Sabbath day Jesus went to eat dinner in the home of a leader of the Pharisees, and the people were watching him closely. There was a man there whose arms and legs were swollen. Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in religious law, “Is it permitted in the law to heal people on the Sabbath day, or not?”
When they refused to answer, Jesus touched the sick man and healed him and sent him away. Then he turned to them and said, “Which of you doesn’t work on the Sabbath? If your son or your cow falls into a pit, don’t you rush to get him out?”
Again they could not answer.
Prayer: Lord Jesus – you are Lord even of the Sabbath. Give us your heart and mind – to reverence the Father and pace our lives by resting… and yet be sensitive to the needs of those around us by acts of mercy. Holy Spirit – give us the discernment to know when to be still… and when to act. Heavenly Father – we would join with those who keep your commandment to remember the Sabbath by keeping it holy. Amen.
Spiritual Song: “The Sabbath Song” – Loretta Weinberger
Morning Reading: Luke 13.31-35 NLT – Blessed is He
Reading: Luke 13.31-35 NLT
At that time some Pharisees said to him, “Get away from here if you want to live! Herod Antipas wants to kill you!”
Jesus replied, “Go tell that fox that I will keep on casting out demons and healing people today and tomorrow; and the third day I will accomplish my purpose. Yes, today, tomorrow, and the next day I must proceed on my way. For it wouldn’t do for a prophet of God to be killed except in Jerusalem!
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me. And now, look, your house is abandoned. And you will never see me again until you say, ‘Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!’”
Prayer: Heavenly Father – I pray for the peace of your Holy City – Jerusalem. Forgive their obstinacy of heart and spirit… and honor the covenants that you made with them through the patriarchs and prophets. Lord Jesus – save your people – Jew and Gentile – those who are near… and those who are far away. Cover them and their households with your precious blood shed on the cross… and deliver them from the evil one. Holy Spirit – turn the hearts of all who speak of Jerusalem to you alone… away from all false prophets and religions. And fill your people with your power and love. I ask it in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Spiritual Song: “Baruch Haba B’Shem Adonai” – Paul Wilbur
The Peanut Gallery 