This Sunday is Palm Sunday! Pastor Ray will not be preaching on the typical Palm Sunday passage (entering Jerusalem) but will continue with the crucifixion narrative. This passage is amazing!
Highlights:
Simon gets roped into carrying Jesus cross, yet from what we can tell from the NT, he becomes a follower of Jesus. His plans were ruined as he planned to celebrate Passover, but this act made him unclean and unable to participate. His plans were changed, but so was his life.
Jesus teaches even until the very end. He loves, forgives, and saves. While the crowds were saying "Save yourself" Jesus turns and saves a criminal. Jesus was never about saving himself but always about saving the lost.
Creation mourns Jesus' death. Matthew gives even juicer details but Jesus' life and death touch everyone, alive and dead.
Joseph is a prominent member of the Sanhedrin who sentenced Jesus to death. Yet he went boldly to Pilate to ask for Jesus' body to give him a respectful burial. Joseph is a great example of a man who was silent in his faith, but this event broke him out of his private devotion to honor Jesus before all men. He could have been ashamed for not standing up for Jesus, but he found how own way at the perfect time. God has a place for slow, reluctant followers, nor does he give up on them. Amen.
Here's the Leader's Guide and Participant's Guide. Enjoy your study.
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