Redeemer Pastors' Blog https://www.makingmuchofjesus.org Thu, 28 Mar 2024 04:06:06 -0500 http://churchplantmedia.com/ Holy Week Reflections (Day 1): Palm Sunday https://www.makingmuchofjesus.org/redeemer-pastors-blog/post/holy-week-reflections--day-1--palm-sunday_3 https://www.makingmuchofjesus.org/redeemer-pastors-blog/post/holy-week-reflections--day-1--palm-sunday_3#comments Mon, 11 Apr 2022 15:00:00 -0500 https://www.makingmuchofjesus.org/redeemer-pastors-blog/post/holy-week-reflections--day-1--palm-sunday_3
 

Originally Published: March 28, 2021

Redeemer Family,
Today is the beginning of holy week. As we progress from Christ's entry into Jerusalem and move toward his death and resurrection, our pastors and leaders will be taking time to reflect each day on Christ - who He is and what He did for us. Follow along with us each day. - The Redeemer Elders


Day 1: Palm Sunday
by Pastor Lawson Flowers


Matthew 21:1-11
When they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage at the Mount of Olives, Jesus then sent two disciples,
2 telling them, “Go into the village ahead of you. At once you will find a donkey tied there with her colt. 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 at once.”
4 This took place so that what was spoken through the prophet might be fulfilled:
5 Tell Daughter Zion,
“See, your King is coming to you,
gentle, and mounted on a donkey,
and on a colt,
the foal of a donkey.” 

6 The disciples went and did just as Jesus directed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt; then they laid their clothes on them, and he sat on them. 8 A very large crowd spread their clothes on the road; others were cutting branches from the trees and spreading them on the road. 9 Then the crowds who went ahead of him and those who 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 he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in an uproar, saying, “Who is this? ” 11 The crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.

 

On Palm Sunday we look back at Jesus riding into Jerusalem, to what is traditionally called "The Triumphal Entry." This was a joyful event, and one laden with layers of significance, that kicked off the week of Jesus' passion.

In one sense, this is a moment of triumph. "A very large crowd" is hailing Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of David (vs 8). They are shouting "Hosanna!" which means, "Save us!" (vs 9). Jesus is in fact the King, and as the prophecy foretold he was riding into Zion on a colt. He was, in fact, the one who could save them. If a large crowd gathered around our church building and started yelling for Jesus to save them, that would be incredible.

But all was not as it seemed. In Luke's account, it says, "As he approached and saw the city, he wept for it, saying, 'If you knew this day what would bring peace ​— ​but now it is hidden from your eyes... you did not recognize the time when God visited you.'" -- Luke 19:41-44

Despite their enthusiastic welcome, the people of Jerusalem somehow missed it. We know that only days later those now yelling, "Hosanna!" would be yelling, "Crucify him!" How did they miss it? Why weren't things as good as they seemed? 

In John's account, we learn an important detail. Jesus had raised his friend Lazarus from the dead in Bethany, which was just outside of Jerusalem. That event certainly made the Jerusalem nightly news. And so as the crowds met Jesus with messianic hopes, they had also the fervor of intrigue — this is the man they had heard raised the dead (John 12:18). Often in Jesus' ministry, and not to their credit, the crowds sought the sign more than Jesus himself, the gift more than the giver. 

But perhaps most of all, the crowds missed it because they expected a political overthrow of the oppressive Roman empire. Jesus warned his disciples over and over that his messiahship was not what everyone expected — the Son of Man must be handed over, suffer, be killed, and then rise from the dead (Matt 16:21). But they could not understand beforehand, and who can blame them? How could their messiah being executed at the hands of their oppressors ever make sense to them? But now, we look back at the cross and can see that the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength (1 Cor 1:25). 

This account leaves Christians with what might be an uncomfortable question. Could we be in a similar situation to the crowds on the original Palm Sunday? 

Where are we welcoming Jesus as a political or cultural savior, but not as the suffering servant who calls us to repent of our sins, to die to self, and to suffer for His sake? Where have we defined for Jesus what a savior should do (and what a "good Christian life" might entail), rather than giving ourselves over to Him and His agenda? Is there a chance Jesus could look at a full church service, weep, and say, "you did not recognize the time when God visited you?" 

What should we do? As Psalm 95 says, "Today, if you hear his voice: Do not harden your hearts."

Church, may we seek God not as a means to any end — political, social, institutional, personal, or familial. May we instead give ourselves without reserve to our real Savior, trusting his wisdom and his love. Because, when we are asked who Jesus is, we don't answer like the crowds, “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee." Someone decidedly more than a prophet is here, and so we answer with the apostle John, "And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world” (1 John 4:14).
 
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Originally Published: March 28, 2021

Redeemer Family,
Today is the beginning of holy week. As we progress from Christ's entry into Jerusalem and move toward his death and resurrection, our pastors and leaders will be taking time to reflect each day on Christ - who He is and what He did for us. Follow along with us each day. - The Redeemer Elders


Day 1: Palm Sunday
by Pastor Lawson Flowers


Matthew 21:1-11
When they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage at the Mount of Olives, Jesus then sent two disciples,
2 telling them, “Go into the village ahead of you. At once you will find a donkey tied there with her colt. 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 at once.”
4 This took place so that what was spoken through the prophet might be fulfilled:
5 Tell Daughter Zion,
“See, your King is coming to you,
gentle, and mounted on a donkey,
and on a colt,
the foal of a donkey.” 

6 The disciples went and did just as Jesus directed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt; then they laid their clothes on them, and he sat on them. 8 A very large crowd spread their clothes on the road; others were cutting branches from the trees and spreading them on the road. 9 Then the crowds who went ahead of him and those who 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 he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in an uproar, saying, “Who is this? ” 11 The crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.

 

On Palm Sunday we look back at Jesus riding into Jerusalem, to what is traditionally called "The Triumphal Entry." This was a joyful event, and one laden with layers of significance, that kicked off the week of Jesus' passion.

In one sense, this is a moment of triumph. "A very large crowd" is hailing Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of David (vs 8). They are shouting "Hosanna!" which means, "Save us!" (vs 9). Jesus is in fact the King, and as the prophecy foretold he was riding into Zion on a colt. He was, in fact, the one who could save them. If a large crowd gathered around our church building and started yelling for Jesus to save them, that would be incredible.

But all was not as it seemed. In Luke's account, it says, "As he approached and saw the city, he wept for it, saying, 'If you knew this day what would bring peace ​— ​but now it is hidden from your eyes... you did not recognize the time when God visited you.'" -- Luke 19:41-44

Despite their enthusiastic welcome, the people of Jerusalem somehow missed it. We know that only days later those now yelling, "Hosanna!" would be yelling, "Crucify him!" How did they miss it? Why weren't things as good as they seemed? 

In John's account, we learn an important detail. Jesus had raised his friend Lazarus from the dead in Bethany, which was just outside of Jerusalem. That event certainly made the Jerusalem nightly news. And so as the crowds met Jesus with messianic hopes, they had also the fervor of intrigue — this is the man they had heard raised the dead (John 12:18). Often in Jesus' ministry, and not to their credit, the crowds sought the sign more than Jesus himself, the gift more than the giver. 

But perhaps most of all, the crowds missed it because they expected a political overthrow of the oppressive Roman empire. Jesus warned his disciples over and over that his messiahship was not what everyone expected — the Son of Man must be handed over, suffer, be killed, and then rise from the dead (Matt 16:21). But they could not understand beforehand, and who can blame them? How could their messiah being executed at the hands of their oppressors ever make sense to them? But now, we look back at the cross and can see that the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength (1 Cor 1:25). 

This account leaves Christians with what might be an uncomfortable question. Could we be in a similar situation to the crowds on the original Palm Sunday? 

Where are we welcoming Jesus as a political or cultural savior, but not as the suffering servant who calls us to repent of our sins, to die to self, and to suffer for His sake? Where have we defined for Jesus what a savior should do (and what a "good Christian life" might entail), rather than giving ourselves over to Him and His agenda? Is there a chance Jesus could look at a full church service, weep, and say, "you did not recognize the time when God visited you?" 

What should we do? As Psalm 95 says, "Today, if you hear his voice: Do not harden your hearts."

Church, may we seek God not as a means to any end — political, social, institutional, personal, or familial. May we instead give ourselves without reserve to our real Savior, trusting his wisdom and his love. Because, when we are asked who Jesus is, we don't answer like the crowds, “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee." Someone decidedly more than a prophet is here, and so we answer with the apostle John, "And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world” (1 John 4:14).
 
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(281) 374-1700

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Holy Week Reflections (Day 2): Monday https://www.makingmuchofjesus.org/redeemer-pastors-blog/post/holy-week-reflections--day-1--palm-sunday_2 https://www.makingmuchofjesus.org/redeemer-pastors-blog/post/holy-week-reflections--day-1--palm-sunday_2#comments Mon, 11 Apr 2022 15:00:00 -0500 https://www.makingmuchofjesus.org/redeemer-pastors-blog/post/holy-week-reflections--day-1--palm-sunday_2
 

Originally published: March 29, 2021

Redeemer Family,
During holy week, our pastors and other leaders are sharing reflections about the week. What was Jesus doing each day? And how does this show more about who He is and what He accomplished for us in His death and resurrection? Follow along each day. - Pastor Kevin


Day 2: Monday
by Pastor Dale Googer


Matthew 21:1-11
12 Jesus went into the temple and threw out all those buying and selling. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves. 13 He said to them, “It is written, my house will be called a house of prayer,[b] but you are making it a den of thieves!” 

14 The blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he healed them. 15 When the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonders that he did and the children shouting in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were indignant 16 and said to him, “Do you hear what these children are saying?”

Jesus replied, “Yes, have you never read:
You have prepared praise
from the mouths of infants and nursing babies?”

17 Then he left them, went out of the city to Bethany, and spent the night there. 18 Early in the morning, as he was returning to the city, he was hungry. 19 Seeing a lone fig tree by the road, he went up to it and found nothing on it except leaves. And he said to it, “May no fruit ever come from you again!” At once the fig tree withered.

20 When the disciples saw it, they were amazed and said, “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?”

21 Jesus answered them, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you tell this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ it will be done.22 And if you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”

 

I’d wager a guess that most of us haven’t entered a city to the fanfare and adulation that Jesus received yesterday, on Palm Sunday.  At that moment he was carrying the triumphant expectations of a nation in bondage; Israel had to read history books to remember the last time they had a true King that championed them before the nations.  Whereas we, in that position, might seek to “keep the momentum” of the people, Jesus seems perfectly willing to stop it in its tracks. 

When Jesus has the eyes of Israel on him, He begins what really seems to be a strange sequence of choices.  

First, he heads to the temple to literally clean house in something that strikes many of us as an uncharacteristic portrayal of anger. Following this, he quotes Psalm 8:2 to the chief priest because in the priest’s mind Jesus was failing to stop children from blaspheming (when they were actually speaking the truth). Lastly, after a night of rest outside town and while on his way into Jerusalem, Jesus curses a fig tree because it has failed to provide him the breakfast he was looking for.

So what gives? Who is this King of Glory?

Jesus’ actions might seem very out of step with a King seeking to establish power (which was the stated anticipation for many of his contemporaries), but they actually seem right at home with the Prophets of old.  

For the temple cleansing, what we see is not a quick outburst of anger, but a calculated and intentional demonstration of Jesus’ prophetic authority.  John’s gospel account (John 2:15) of the same event tells us that Jesus took the time to make a whip before he decided to rearrange the furniture.  The image is reminiscent of Moses coming down from the holy mountain, hoping to see God’s people expectantly waiting for God’s law, but instead finding them completely defiled and worshipping an idol of their own creation. Jesus takes this personally; his house is being defiled by the very people who ought to be waiting for his arrival. 

Next, we see a brief but powerful display of people who understand what is going on. The blind, the lame, and the young all come to Jesus because his authority and power is on full display.  What do these demographics have in common?  They all have their dependence on God ever before them as reality.  The priests have long since internalized their righteousness as a product of their own making and, as such, cannot see obvious workings of the Lord before them. 

Lastly, and most strangely, Jesus curses a fig tree that failed to provide him the food he wanted. Out of context, Jesus almost seems petulant.  In the context of his audience, though, he’s sending a warning signal. The Lord promised Israel fruitfulness in exchange for their faithfulness in following Him.  In fact, the subcategory of fig-fruitfulness has its own history (Mic 7:1, Jer 8:13, Hos 9:10-17)! Jeremiah specifically says, “When I would gather them, declares the LORD, there are no grapes on the vine, nor figs on the fig tree; even the leaves are withered, and what I gave them has passed away from them.” It’s not just a fig tree, it strikes a chord with Jesus because he can see the unfruitfulness of his people everywhere he looks. 

Jesus immediately takes the withering of the fig tree and uses it to teach his disciples an object lesson in faith. We can almost imagine him, looking at those near him, trying to impress upon them the weight of the moment. “I’m here, right now.  Everything is coming together as the prophets told, because they were my prophets.  And you are this close to missing the story.”

Jesus has his eyes fixed on the Cross in his near future, but he’s taking his first full day in Jerusalem not to establish Kingly rule, but to give one last prophetic call to His people.  Jesus wants to make sure, before his coming glory, that his audience knows it is their responsibility – now – to respond to who he really is.  May our hearts be humble, so that we might become like little children and be born again.  Our only other option is to become a lesson in unfaithfulness.  
 
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(281) 374-1700

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Originally published: March 29, 2021

Redeemer Family,
During holy week, our pastors and other leaders are sharing reflections about the week. What was Jesus doing each day? And how does this show more about who He is and what He accomplished for us in His death and resurrection? Follow along each day. - Pastor Kevin


Day 2: Monday
by Pastor Dale Googer


Matthew 21:1-11
12 Jesus went into the temple and threw out all those buying and selling. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves. 13 He said to them, “It is written, my house will be called a house of prayer,[b] but you are making it a den of thieves!” 

14 The blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he healed them. 15 When the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonders that he did and the children shouting in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were indignant 16 and said to him, “Do you hear what these children are saying?”

Jesus replied, “Yes, have you never read:
You have prepared praise
from the mouths of infants and nursing babies?”

17 Then he left them, went out of the city to Bethany, and spent the night there. 18 Early in the morning, as he was returning to the city, he was hungry. 19 Seeing a lone fig tree by the road, he went up to it and found nothing on it except leaves. And he said to it, “May no fruit ever come from you again!” At once the fig tree withered.

20 When the disciples saw it, they were amazed and said, “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?”

21 Jesus answered them, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you tell this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ it will be done.22 And if you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”

 

I’d wager a guess that most of us haven’t entered a city to the fanfare and adulation that Jesus received yesterday, on Palm Sunday.  At that moment he was carrying the triumphant expectations of a nation in bondage; Israel had to read history books to remember the last time they had a true King that championed them before the nations.  Whereas we, in that position, might seek to “keep the momentum” of the people, Jesus seems perfectly willing to stop it in its tracks. 

When Jesus has the eyes of Israel on him, He begins what really seems to be a strange sequence of choices.  

First, he heads to the temple to literally clean house in something that strikes many of us as an uncharacteristic portrayal of anger. Following this, he quotes Psalm 8:2 to the chief priest because in the priest’s mind Jesus was failing to stop children from blaspheming (when they were actually speaking the truth). Lastly, after a night of rest outside town and while on his way into Jerusalem, Jesus curses a fig tree because it has failed to provide him the breakfast he was looking for.

So what gives? Who is this King of Glory?

Jesus’ actions might seem very out of step with a King seeking to establish power (which was the stated anticipation for many of his contemporaries), but they actually seem right at home with the Prophets of old.  

For the temple cleansing, what we see is not a quick outburst of anger, but a calculated and intentional demonstration of Jesus’ prophetic authority.  John’s gospel account (John 2:15) of the same event tells us that Jesus took the time to make a whip before he decided to rearrange the furniture.  The image is reminiscent of Moses coming down from the holy mountain, hoping to see God’s people expectantly waiting for God’s law, but instead finding them completely defiled and worshipping an idol of their own creation. Jesus takes this personally; his house is being defiled by the very people who ought to be waiting for his arrival. 

Next, we see a brief but powerful display of people who understand what is going on. The blind, the lame, and the young all come to Jesus because his authority and power is on full display.  What do these demographics have in common?  They all have their dependence on God ever before them as reality.  The priests have long since internalized their righteousness as a product of their own making and, as such, cannot see obvious workings of the Lord before them. 

Lastly, and most strangely, Jesus curses a fig tree that failed to provide him the food he wanted. Out of context, Jesus almost seems petulant.  In the context of his audience, though, he’s sending a warning signal. The Lord promised Israel fruitfulness in exchange for their faithfulness in following Him.  In fact, the subcategory of fig-fruitfulness has its own history (Mic 7:1, Jer 8:13, Hos 9:10-17)! Jeremiah specifically says, “When I would gather them, declares the LORD, there are no grapes on the vine, nor figs on the fig tree; even the leaves are withered, and what I gave them has passed away from them.” It’s not just a fig tree, it strikes a chord with Jesus because he can see the unfruitfulness of his people everywhere he looks. 

Jesus immediately takes the withering of the fig tree and uses it to teach his disciples an object lesson in faith. We can almost imagine him, looking at those near him, trying to impress upon them the weight of the moment. “I’m here, right now.  Everything is coming together as the prophets told, because they were my prophets.  And you are this close to missing the story.”

Jesus has his eyes fixed on the Cross in his near future, but he’s taking his first full day in Jerusalem not to establish Kingly rule, but to give one last prophetic call to His people.  Jesus wants to make sure, before his coming glory, that his audience knows it is their responsibility – now – to respond to who he really is.  May our hearts be humble, so that we might become like little children and be born again.  Our only other option is to become a lesson in unfaithfulness.  
 
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Holy Week Reflections (Day 3): Tuesday https://www.makingmuchofjesus.org/redeemer-pastors-blog/post/holy-week-reflections--day-2--monday https://www.makingmuchofjesus.org/redeemer-pastors-blog/post/holy-week-reflections--day-2--monday#comments Mon, 11 Apr 2022 15:00:00 -0500 https://www.makingmuchofjesus.org/redeemer-pastors-blog/post/holy-week-reflections--day-2--monday

Originally published: March 30, 2021

Redeemer Family,
During holy week, our pastors and other leaders are sharing reflections about the week. What was Jesus doing each day? And how does this show more about who He is and what He accomplished for us in His death and resurrection? Follow along each day. - Pastor Kevin


Day 3: Tuesday
by Pastor Barry Pett


Matthew 22:41-46
41 While the Pharisees were together, Jesus questioned them, 42 "What do you think about the Messiah? Whose son is he?" They replied, "David’s.”43 He asked them, “How is it then that David, inspired by the Spirit, calls him ‘Lord’:

44 The Lord declared to my Lord,
‘Sit at my right hand
until I put your enemies under your feet’?

45 “If David calls him ‘Lord,’ how, then, can he be his son?” 46 No one was able to answer him at all, and from that day no one dared to question him anymore.  

We are now on Tuesday of Holy Week.  If on Monday, Jesus cleansed the Temple of the sacrilegious vendors, Tuesday was the religious leaders' turn.  The Scribes, Pharisees, and Sadducees differed on many things, but they were unified in their fear of the threat of Jesus. Matthew 21:46 summarizes their predicament:  “And although they were seeking to arrest him, they feared the crowds, because they held him to be a prophet.”

Therefore, to arrest him without it backfiring on them, they had to discredit Jesus.  Matthew 22:1-40 is precisely this, as they took a tag-team approach in trying to catch him in something that would expose him as a fraud.  Unfortunately for them, their attempts to discredit Jesus had the opposite effect as we read in verse 22 that they “marveled” at his response, and verse 33 says “they were astonished at his teaching.”

Next, while they “gathered together” (vs. 41), scratching their heads and trying to regroup, Jesus steps in with a question of his own, which turned out to be what they call in boxing terms, “A Haymaker,” or “Knock-out” punch.  

“What do you think of the Messiah? Whose son is he?”  In their prideful confidence, they took the bait.  This question was Judaism 101.  Everyone knew the Messiah would come from the line of David.  The Messiah was David’s son.  So Jesus proceeds to snap the trap with Psalm 110:1.  Psalm 110 has universally been acknowledged as a messianic prophecy in Judaism as well as Christianity.    

The Jewish image of the Davidic Messiah was one who was like David, not greater than David.  Further, in Jewish culture, the term Lord would only be given to an ancestor, not a descendant. Thus the conundrum Jesus posed was how David could refer to his descendant as his ancestor?  

It appears they immediately knew their predicament.  They no doubt remembered Jesus’ earlier discussion with possibly these same leaders that is recorded in John 8:56-58 where Jesus said,

“Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day; he saw it and was glad.”
57 The Jews replied, “You aren’t fifty years old yet, and you’ve seen Abraham?”
58 Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, before Abraham was, I am.”


Jesus used their own messianic text to prove that he was not only the Messiah but also God! He identified himself as the “My Lord” of Psalm 110.

RC Sproul, in his St. Andrews Commentary on this passage, says, “The Hebrew Yahweh means “I am” in Hebrew. But in Psalm 110, Yahweh is having a conversation with someone apart from Himself, someone whom David identifies as “my Lord.”  In this instance, the word Lord is rendered with capital and lowercase letters.  This tells us that the Hebrew word that is translated here is Adonai, which literally means “the sovereign One.”  So, God is speaking to “the sovereign One.”

The question Jesus posed to the religious leaders is essentially the same question he had posed earlier to his disciples when he asked,  “Who do you say that I am?   Peter, through divine wisdom, rightly declares, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”  That answer is a stark contrast to the Jewish leaders on this Tuesday of Holy Week who simply slunk away committed never to ask him another question, but resolved in their commitment to having him killed.  

So on this Holy Week 2021, we too are faced with the same questions, “What do you think of the Messiah? Whose son is he?   They are far and away the most important questions you and I will ever answer!
 
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Originally published: March 30, 2021

Redeemer Family,
During holy week, our pastors and other leaders are sharing reflections about the week. What was Jesus doing each day? And how does this show more about who He is and what He accomplished for us in His death and resurrection? Follow along each day. - Pastor Kevin


Day 3: Tuesday
by Pastor Barry Pett


Matthew 22:41-46
41 While the Pharisees were together, Jesus questioned them, 42 "What do you think about the Messiah? Whose son is he?" They replied, "David’s.”43 He asked them, “How is it then that David, inspired by the Spirit, calls him ‘Lord’:

44 The Lord declared to my Lord,
‘Sit at my right hand
until I put your enemies under your feet’?

45 “If David calls him ‘Lord,’ how, then, can he be his son?” 46 No one was able to answer him at all, and from that day no one dared to question him anymore.  

We are now on Tuesday of Holy Week.  If on Monday, Jesus cleansed the Temple of the sacrilegious vendors, Tuesday was the religious leaders' turn.  The Scribes, Pharisees, and Sadducees differed on many things, but they were unified in their fear of the threat of Jesus. Matthew 21:46 summarizes their predicament:  “And although they were seeking to arrest him, they feared the crowds, because they held him to be a prophet.”

Therefore, to arrest him without it backfiring on them, they had to discredit Jesus.  Matthew 22:1-40 is precisely this, as they took a tag-team approach in trying to catch him in something that would expose him as a fraud.  Unfortunately for them, their attempts to discredit Jesus had the opposite effect as we read in verse 22 that they “marveled” at his response, and verse 33 says “they were astonished at his teaching.”

Next, while they “gathered together” (vs. 41), scratching their heads and trying to regroup, Jesus steps in with a question of his own, which turned out to be what they call in boxing terms, “A Haymaker,” or “Knock-out” punch.  

“What do you think of the Messiah? Whose son is he?”  In their prideful confidence, they took the bait.  This question was Judaism 101.  Everyone knew the Messiah would come from the line of David.  The Messiah was David’s son.  So Jesus proceeds to snap the trap with Psalm 110:1.  Psalm 110 has universally been acknowledged as a messianic prophecy in Judaism as well as Christianity.    

The Jewish image of the Davidic Messiah was one who was like David, not greater than David.  Further, in Jewish culture, the term Lord would only be given to an ancestor, not a descendant. Thus the conundrum Jesus posed was how David could refer to his descendant as his ancestor?  

It appears they immediately knew their predicament.  They no doubt remembered Jesus’ earlier discussion with possibly these same leaders that is recorded in John 8:56-58 where Jesus said,

“Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day; he saw it and was glad.”
57 The Jews replied, “You aren’t fifty years old yet, and you’ve seen Abraham?”
58 Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, before Abraham was, I am.”


Jesus used their own messianic text to prove that he was not only the Messiah but also God! He identified himself as the “My Lord” of Psalm 110.

RC Sproul, in his St. Andrews Commentary on this passage, says, “The Hebrew Yahweh means “I am” in Hebrew. But in Psalm 110, Yahweh is having a conversation with someone apart from Himself, someone whom David identifies as “my Lord.”  In this instance, the word Lord is rendered with capital and lowercase letters.  This tells us that the Hebrew word that is translated here is Adonai, which literally means “the sovereign One.”  So, God is speaking to “the sovereign One.”

The question Jesus posed to the religious leaders is essentially the same question he had posed earlier to his disciples when he asked,  “Who do you say that I am?   Peter, through divine wisdom, rightly declares, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”  That answer is a stark contrast to the Jewish leaders on this Tuesday of Holy Week who simply slunk away committed never to ask him another question, but resolved in their commitment to having him killed.  

So on this Holy Week 2021, we too are faced with the same questions, “What do you think of the Messiah? Whose son is he?   They are far and away the most important questions you and I will ever answer!
 
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Holy Week Reflections (Day 4): Wednesday https://www.makingmuchofjesus.org/redeemer-pastors-blog/post/holy-week-reflections--day-4--wednesday https://www.makingmuchofjesus.org/redeemer-pastors-blog/post/holy-week-reflections--day-4--wednesday#comments Mon, 11 Apr 2022 15:00:00 -0500 https://www.makingmuchofjesus.org/redeemer-pastors-blog/post/holy-week-reflections--day-4--wednesday

Originally published: March 31, 2021

During holy week, our pastors and other leaders are sharing reflections about the week. What was Jesus doing each day? And how does this show more about who He is and what He accomplished for us in His death and resurrection? Follow along each day.

Day 4: Wednesday
by Pastor Kevin Bowles


Matthew 26:3-16
3 Then the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled in the courtyard of the high priest, who was named Caiaphas, 4 and they conspired to arrest Jesus in a treacherous way and kill him. 5 “Not during the festival,” they said, “so there won’t be rioting among the people.”

6 While Jesus was in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, 7 a woman approached him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume. She poured it on his head as he was reclining at the table. 8 When the disciples saw it, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. 9 “This might have been sold for a great deal and given to the poor.”

10 Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a noble thing for me. 11 You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me. 12 By pouring this perfume on my body, she has prepared me for burial. 13 Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.”

14 Then one of the Twelve, the man called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15 and said, “What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?” So they weighed out thirty pieces of silver for him. 16 And from that time he started looking for a good opportunity to betray him.

 


In the final hours before Jesus's death, we are given two vignettes in the Gospel of Matthew. In these scenes, we see two kingdoms.

First, the kingdom of this world – where Jesus is rejected as King; where men love darkness and hate His light. And second, we see the Kingdom of Heaven, where the poor in Spirit rightly treasure and worship the King.

SCENE ONE – The darkness of sin in a beautiful place.

In the first scene, we see the chief priests, gathered in a beautiful place – the courtyard of the high priest. But in this place, they will do a wicked thing.

These men, esteemed by many, had just listened to Jesus rip their ministry to shreds in front of the crowds. “Hypocrites… blind guides… whitewashed tombs… and sons of snakes!” he called them. They hated Jesus before, but now he has called them the Satan's offspring.

With their rage toward Jesus peaking, they scheme to arrest and kill Him. They know this won’t be a popular decision, so they must accuse Him of crimes designed to  enrage the Jews. Their plans are devious and dark.

SCENE TWO – The light of Christ in a detestable place

In scene two, we see Jesus’s unimpressive followers – gathered in a detestable place. Jesus is in the home of a leper named Simon (likely a former leper, healed by Jesus). Jesus chooses to spend some of his final hours fellowshipping in an outcast’s home. A woman (likely Jesus’s friend Mary – John 12:3) comes to pour expensive ointment on Jesus’s head. And of course, his disciples are outraged, thinking only of the financial waste. Jesus explains the beauty of her act - that he is being anointed for burial.

As was often the case, the disciples respond as we would:  “Jesus, we are so clever and would’ve used this resource so much more wisely.”  Meanwhile, just as with Mary’s sister, Martha, Jesus patiently corrects His disciples, explaining that there is nothing more righteous or wise than lovingly sacrificing for Jesus.

WHAT IS JESUS WORTH?

The final scene sees Judas leave scene two to join those who hate Jesus in scene one. And after this woman had worshiped Jesus by pouring out expensive oil (likely a year’s wage worth), Judas is willing to betray Jesus for merely 30 silver pieces (only a month’s wage). 

The worth of Jesus, to one who has experienced His great mercy, is incalculable. But to the one who loves self, Jesus will  be treated as common, easily discarded for nothing.

Will we see and respond to the worth of Jesus this week?  He is worth our whole lives.  As we survey His cross and marvel at His empty tomb, may we join our sister in rightly valuing everything else as loss compared to surpassing value of knowing Jesus as Lord.  He is worth it all!

 

 
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Originally published: March 31, 2021

During holy week, our pastors and other leaders are sharing reflections about the week. What was Jesus doing each day? And how does this show more about who He is and what He accomplished for us in His death and resurrection? Follow along each day.

Day 4: Wednesday
by Pastor Kevin Bowles


Matthew 26:3-16
3 Then the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled in the courtyard of the high priest, who was named Caiaphas, 4 and they conspired to arrest Jesus in a treacherous way and kill him. 5 “Not during the festival,” they said, “so there won’t be rioting among the people.”

6 While Jesus was in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, 7 a woman approached him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume. She poured it on his head as he was reclining at the table. 8 When the disciples saw it, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. 9 “This might have been sold for a great deal and given to the poor.”

10 Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a noble thing for me. 11 You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me. 12 By pouring this perfume on my body, she has prepared me for burial. 13 Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.”

14 Then one of the Twelve, the man called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15 and said, “What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?” So they weighed out thirty pieces of silver for him. 16 And from that time he started looking for a good opportunity to betray him.

 


In the final hours before Jesus's death, we are given two vignettes in the Gospel of Matthew. In these scenes, we see two kingdoms.

First, the kingdom of this world – where Jesus is rejected as King; where men love darkness and hate His light. And second, we see the Kingdom of Heaven, where the poor in Spirit rightly treasure and worship the King.

SCENE ONE – The darkness of sin in a beautiful place.

In the first scene, we see the chief priests, gathered in a beautiful place – the courtyard of the high priest. But in this place, they will do a wicked thing.

These men, esteemed by many, had just listened to Jesus rip their ministry to shreds in front of the crowds. “Hypocrites… blind guides… whitewashed tombs… and sons of snakes!” he called them. They hated Jesus before, but now he has called them the Satan's offspring.

With their rage toward Jesus peaking, they scheme to arrest and kill Him. They know this won’t be a popular decision, so they must accuse Him of crimes designed to  enrage the Jews. Their plans are devious and dark.

SCENE TWO – The light of Christ in a detestable place

In scene two, we see Jesus’s unimpressive followers – gathered in a detestable place. Jesus is in the home of a leper named Simon (likely a former leper, healed by Jesus). Jesus chooses to spend some of his final hours fellowshipping in an outcast’s home. A woman (likely Jesus’s friend Mary – John 12:3) comes to pour expensive ointment on Jesus’s head. And of course, his disciples are outraged, thinking only of the financial waste. Jesus explains the beauty of her act - that he is being anointed for burial.

As was often the case, the disciples respond as we would:  “Jesus, we are so clever and would’ve used this resource so much more wisely.”  Meanwhile, just as with Mary’s sister, Martha, Jesus patiently corrects His disciples, explaining that there is nothing more righteous or wise than lovingly sacrificing for Jesus.

WHAT IS JESUS WORTH?

The final scene sees Judas leave scene two to join those who hate Jesus in scene one. And after this woman had worshiped Jesus by pouring out expensive oil (likely a year’s wage worth), Judas is willing to betray Jesus for merely 30 silver pieces (only a month’s wage). 

The worth of Jesus, to one who has experienced His great mercy, is incalculable. But to the one who loves self, Jesus will  be treated as common, easily discarded for nothing.

Will we see and respond to the worth of Jesus this week?  He is worth our whole lives.  As we survey His cross and marvel at His empty tomb, may we join our sister in rightly valuing everything else as loss compared to surpassing value of knowing Jesus as Lord.  He is worth it all!

 

 
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Holy Week Reflections (Day 5): Thursday https://www.makingmuchofjesus.org/redeemer-pastors-blog/post/holy-week-reflections--day-5--thursday https://www.makingmuchofjesus.org/redeemer-pastors-blog/post/holy-week-reflections--day-5--thursday#comments Mon, 11 Apr 2022 15:00:00 -0500 https://www.makingmuchofjesus.org/redeemer-pastors-blog/post/holy-week-reflections--day-5--thursday

Originally published: April 1, 2021

During holy week, our pastors and other leaders are sharing reflections about the week. What was Jesus doing each day? And how does this show more about who He is and what He accomplished for us in His death and resurrection? Follow along each day.

Day 5: Thursday
by Pastor Dale Googer


Matthew 26:17-29
17 On the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?”

18 “Go into the city to a certain man,” he said, “and tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My time is near; I am celebrating the Passover at your place with my disciples.’” 19 So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover. 20 When evening came, he was reclining at the table with the Twelve. 21 While they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.”

22 Deeply distressed, each one began to say to him, “Surely not I, Lord?”

23 He replied, “The one who dipped his hand with me in the bowl—he will betray me. 24 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for him if he had not been born.”

25 Judas, his betrayer, replied, “Surely not I, Rabbi?” 

“You have said it,” he told him.

26 As they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take and eat it; this is my body.” 27 Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks, he gave it to them and said, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 For this is my blood of the covenant,[b] which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 But I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

 

How could we ever fully capture the emotion of Jesus’ last full day on earth before the cross?   In this passage and the other gospel accounts supporting it we see some of the most vivid pictures of Jesus’ full authority and plan, both as God and man, in all the gospels. 

Christ’s final act with his disciples, his friends, was to eat a holiday meal together in celebration of God’s deliverance of Israel from Egypt. They found the house, under Jesus’ direction, they prepared the meal. He washed their feet in an unbelievable act of service that embarrassed Peter.  Later, they sang a hymn together. They relaxed.  In John’s account we can see that he is literally leaning against Jesus during the meal.  

None of the disciples understood the full reality of what was going on, though it might be fair to guess that they had an ominous sense that they were on the verge of something big.  Judas, who might have thought he actually had a handle on the situation, with silver weighing down his pockets, didn’t know that he was already a puppet being used by Satan. With the exception of John and Peter, the other disciples didn’t even know that Jesus had signaled Judas would betray him (John 13:28).  

Later, following Judas’ information, the authorities that are going to come in the night to arrest Jesus have no idea what heavenly play is happening before them.  They think their commanding officer is in charge.  They can’t be blamed for not knowing that their prisoner is the one orchestrating all the events. 

The remaining eleven disciples didn’t know exactly why Jesus so desired their prayers and company so much that night in the garden. Peter, who was willing to fight to the death in defense of Jesus, did not know that he had an army of angels at their posts already being told to stand down.  He didn’t know that Jesus keeps a sword in his mouth if he needs it (Revelation 19:15). 

The only human who knew what was happening on Thursday, who carried the weight of the world on his shoulders, was Jesus Christ.  He knew the symbolism that his death was about to infuse into the Passover meal (or rather, he knew that his death was about to bring about the true Passover, as sinners are saved by the blood of the innocent).  He knew Satan’s plan, he knew about the kangaroo court he was to be subjected to, and he knew about his impending torture and crucifixion.  

He knew that there had been a prophecy in which he must be wounded in his final act of salvation (Gen 3:15).  He knew it because he was there when the promise was made, and as sin and death multiplied over the eons the preincarnate Word knew that it was only a matter of his perfect timing before he himself would enter the ring with death. 

To do this, God had to take on a body of flesh and weakness.  To become a fitting sacrifice for our pitiable estate, he had to take up residence in our slums.  God had been betrayed by his people before, but in this night, they actually had to look him in the eyes while they did it. If he had not made it so explicitly clear why he was doing it, I think the reason could escape us:

… when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having 
loved his own who were in the world,
he loved them to the end.” John 13:1

Tomorrow we’ll discover what our God in heaven has in store.  He already knows, but it is for us to look forward and remember, as often as we can.  I pray our communion cups, plastic and small though they are, will weigh more heavily in our hands this week. 
 
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Originally published: April 1, 2021

During holy week, our pastors and other leaders are sharing reflections about the week. What was Jesus doing each day? And how does this show more about who He is and what He accomplished for us in His death and resurrection? Follow along each day.

Day 5: Thursday
by Pastor Dale Googer


Matthew 26:17-29
17 On the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?”

18 “Go into the city to a certain man,” he said, “and tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My time is near; I am celebrating the Passover at your place with my disciples.’” 19 So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover. 20 When evening came, he was reclining at the table with the Twelve. 21 While they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.”

22 Deeply distressed, each one began to say to him, “Surely not I, Lord?”

23 He replied, “The one who dipped his hand with me in the bowl—he will betray me. 24 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for him if he had not been born.”

25 Judas, his betrayer, replied, “Surely not I, Rabbi?” 

“You have said it,” he told him.

26 As they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take and eat it; this is my body.” 27 Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks, he gave it to them and said, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 For this is my blood of the covenant,[b] which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 But I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

 

How could we ever fully capture the emotion of Jesus’ last full day on earth before the cross?   In this passage and the other gospel accounts supporting it we see some of the most vivid pictures of Jesus’ full authority and plan, both as God and man, in all the gospels. 

Christ’s final act with his disciples, his friends, was to eat a holiday meal together in celebration of God’s deliverance of Israel from Egypt. They found the house, under Jesus’ direction, they prepared the meal. He washed their feet in an unbelievable act of service that embarrassed Peter.  Later, they sang a hymn together. They relaxed.  In John’s account we can see that he is literally leaning against Jesus during the meal.  

None of the disciples understood the full reality of what was going on, though it might be fair to guess that they had an ominous sense that they were on the verge of something big.  Judas, who might have thought he actually had a handle on the situation, with silver weighing down his pockets, didn’t know that he was already a puppet being used by Satan. With the exception of John and Peter, the other disciples didn’t even know that Jesus had signaled Judas would betray him (John 13:28).  

Later, following Judas’ information, the authorities that are going to come in the night to arrest Jesus have no idea what heavenly play is happening before them.  They think their commanding officer is in charge.  They can’t be blamed for not knowing that their prisoner is the one orchestrating all the events. 

The remaining eleven disciples didn’t know exactly why Jesus so desired their prayers and company so much that night in the garden. Peter, who was willing to fight to the death in defense of Jesus, did not know that he had an army of angels at their posts already being told to stand down.  He didn’t know that Jesus keeps a sword in his mouth if he needs it (Revelation 19:15). 

The only human who knew what was happening on Thursday, who carried the weight of the world on his shoulders, was Jesus Christ.  He knew the symbolism that his death was about to infuse into the Passover meal (or rather, he knew that his death was about to bring about the true Passover, as sinners are saved by the blood of the innocent).  He knew Satan’s plan, he knew about the kangaroo court he was to be subjected to, and he knew about his impending torture and crucifixion.  

He knew that there had been a prophecy in which he must be wounded in his final act of salvation (Gen 3:15).  He knew it because he was there when the promise was made, and as sin and death multiplied over the eons the preincarnate Word knew that it was only a matter of his perfect timing before he himself would enter the ring with death. 

To do this, God had to take on a body of flesh and weakness.  To become a fitting sacrifice for our pitiable estate, he had to take up residence in our slums.  God had been betrayed by his people before, but in this night, they actually had to look him in the eyes while they did it. If he had not made it so explicitly clear why he was doing it, I think the reason could escape us:

… when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having 
loved his own who were in the world,
he loved them to the end.” John 13:1

Tomorrow we’ll discover what our God in heaven has in store.  He already knows, but it is for us to look forward and remember, as often as we can.  I pray our communion cups, plastic and small though they are, will weigh more heavily in our hands this week. 
 
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Holy Week Reflections (Day 6): Friday https://www.makingmuchofjesus.org/redeemer-pastors-blog/post/holy-week-reflections--day-4--thursday https://www.makingmuchofjesus.org/redeemer-pastors-blog/post/holy-week-reflections--day-4--thursday#comments Mon, 11 Apr 2022 15:00:00 -0500 https://www.makingmuchofjesus.org/redeemer-pastors-blog/post/holy-week-reflections--day-4--thursday

Originally published: April 2, 2021

During holy week, our pastors and other leaders are sharing reflections about the week. What was Jesus doing each day? And how does this show more about who He is and what He accomplished for us in His death and resurrection? Follow along each day.

Day 6: Friday
"How Good is Good Friday?"
by Pastor Barry Pett

1 Peter 2:24

He himself bore our sin in his body on the tree,
that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.

Let’s face it, most people treat Good Friday with about the same regard as they do Presidents Day.  If you don’t get off work, it’s pretty much just another day.  And even if you do get off work, Good Friday is likely only good because you get a long weekend to rest or play.  So the two questions I want to explore are: Why is Good Friday Good?  And secondly, why do most people not treat it as very good at all?

To answer these questions, we must first understand the inverse principle of good news: good news is only good to the degree that bad news is really bad.  If you got a bee sting and I happened to have an ointment at my desk that immediately removed the pain and swelling, that would be moderately of good news, mainly because a bee sting isn’t all that bad (assuming, of course, you are not highly allergic to bee stings!).  But imagine we are on a trip together in Australia, and you get bitten by an Inland Taipan snake which will kill you in less than 30 minutes. But, fortunately for you, being the super prepared person that I am, I just so happen to have the anti-venom in my backpack that saves your life.  Now that would be much better news, wouldn’t it?

The truth is, most of us don’t get too excited about Good Friday because we tend to see our sin problem a lot more like a bee sting than a lethal bite from an Inland Taipan.  But if scripture is true, then our sin looks a lot more like a strike from that lethal snake. (See Romans 3:23).   How bad is our sin problem?  Read Romans 1:18-32 and Romans 3:9-18.  It’s that bad!  

When we begin to see our sin this way, 1 Peter 2:24 starts to become amazingly good news, and Good Friday starts looking spectacular. “He himself bore our sin in his body.”  Jesus didn’t bring us the anti-venom for sin; he was the anti-venom!  As fully God and fully man, he was the only one capable of paying the penalty for our sin because he was the only one that sin had not bitten.  For reasons beyond our capacity to understand, he traded places with us!  2 Corinthians 5:21 says, “For our sake he (God) made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” He drank the full cup of our sin’s venom so that we might die to sin rather than from sin!  That is really, really good news!

So that leads to the question asked in the title of this reflection, How Good is Good Friday to you?  I encourage all of you to come to our Good Friday Service tonight.  In this service, we allow scripture itself to tell us the story of just how bad our sin problem is, and how utterly  amazing God’s love for us is, “that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us!”   And if you think that is really good news, just wait for Sunday…the news gets even better!
 
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Originally published: April 2, 2021

During holy week, our pastors and other leaders are sharing reflections about the week. What was Jesus doing each day? And how does this show more about who He is and what He accomplished for us in His death and resurrection? Follow along each day.

Day 6: Friday
"How Good is Good Friday?"
by Pastor Barry Pett

1 Peter 2:24

He himself bore our sin in his body on the tree,
that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.

Let’s face it, most people treat Good Friday with about the same regard as they do Presidents Day.  If you don’t get off work, it’s pretty much just another day.  And even if you do get off work, Good Friday is likely only good because you get a long weekend to rest or play.  So the two questions I want to explore are: Why is Good Friday Good?  And secondly, why do most people not treat it as very good at all?

To answer these questions, we must first understand the inverse principle of good news: good news is only good to the degree that bad news is really bad.  If you got a bee sting and I happened to have an ointment at my desk that immediately removed the pain and swelling, that would be moderately of good news, mainly because a bee sting isn’t all that bad (assuming, of course, you are not highly allergic to bee stings!).  But imagine we are on a trip together in Australia, and you get bitten by an Inland Taipan snake which will kill you in less than 30 minutes. But, fortunately for you, being the super prepared person that I am, I just so happen to have the anti-venom in my backpack that saves your life.  Now that would be much better news, wouldn’t it?

The truth is, most of us don’t get too excited about Good Friday because we tend to see our sin problem a lot more like a bee sting than a lethal bite from an Inland Taipan.  But if scripture is true, then our sin looks a lot more like a strike from that lethal snake. (See Romans 3:23).   How bad is our sin problem?  Read Romans 1:18-32 and Romans 3:9-18.  It’s that bad!  

When we begin to see our sin this way, 1 Peter 2:24 starts to become amazingly good news, and Good Friday starts looking spectacular. “He himself bore our sin in his body.”  Jesus didn’t bring us the anti-venom for sin; he was the anti-venom!  As fully God and fully man, he was the only one capable of paying the penalty for our sin because he was the only one that sin had not bitten.  For reasons beyond our capacity to understand, he traded places with us!  2 Corinthians 5:21 says, “For our sake he (God) made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” He drank the full cup of our sin’s venom so that we might die to sin rather than from sin!  That is really, really good news!

So that leads to the question asked in the title of this reflection, How Good is Good Friday to you?  I encourage all of you to come to our Good Friday Service tonight.  In this service, we allow scripture itself to tell us the story of just how bad our sin problem is, and how utterly  amazing God’s love for us is, “that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us!”   And if you think that is really good news, just wait for Sunday…the news gets even better!
 
80_2022 Easter Schedule-08
 
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Holy Week Reflections (Day 7): Saturday https://www.makingmuchofjesus.org/redeemer-pastors-blog/post/holy-week-reflections--day-7--saturday https://www.makingmuchofjesus.org/redeemer-pastors-blog/post/holy-week-reflections--day-7--saturday#comments Mon, 11 Apr 2022 15:00:00 -0500 https://www.makingmuchofjesus.org/redeemer-pastors-blog/post/holy-week-reflections--day-7--saturday

Originally published: April 3, 2021

Redeemer Family,
What a wonderful celebration at today's grand opening. Here is one last reflection as we prepare for tomorrow.


Day 7: Saturday
Jesus laid to rest
by Pastor Kevin Bowles
 

Luke 23:54-56
It was the preparation day, and the Sabbath was about to begin. 55 The women who had come with him from Galilee followed along and observed the tomb and how his body was placed. 56 Then they returned and prepared spices and perfumes. And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.

After the torturous suffering of the cross, Jesus cried out two final phrases:  "It is Finished" and "Father, into your hands I entrust my Spirit." And with these two phrases, He clues us into what has happened.

First, His work in paying for sin is complete (Heb. 10:10). He didn't proceed to pay for sin by fighting the devil in hell or anything else about which many speculate. And second, He was entrusting Himself to the Father, just as He had all along. If He was to live again, the Father would need to raise Him from the dead. (Acts 2:24)

And then, as the Sabbath drew near, amidst a darkened sky, the lifeless maker of the universe was laid into the grave. Just as he created the world to function on a seven day weekly rhythm, with the final day being a day of rest from work -- Christ Jesus had finished his work as our atoning sacrifice on the sixth day of the week. And as the final day drew near, His body was laid to rest.

If your sin haunts you today or you feel no rest, know that your Savior finished the work you couldn't have accomplished. And after completing the work, he died. But Christ's sabbath rest only lasted for a short time. Sunday morning will be here soon.

Tonight, as we remember the body of our lifeless Messiah -- laid to rest Friday evening and in the tomb until early Sunday -- listen to this beautiful song from Andrew Peterson about Christ's rest in the tomb:  God Rested - by Andrew Peterson

And then let's gather tomorrow and rejoice in the power of His resurrection. See you at 7am, 9:15am, or 11am.
 
 
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Copyright © *2021 Redeemer Church, All rights reserved.


Our address is:
730 Baker Dr., Tomball, Texas 77375
(281) 374-1700

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Originally published: April 3, 2021

Redeemer Family,
What a wonderful celebration at today's grand opening. Here is one last reflection as we prepare for tomorrow.


Day 7: Saturday
Jesus laid to rest
by Pastor Kevin Bowles
 

Luke 23:54-56
It was the preparation day, and the Sabbath was about to begin. 55 The women who had come with him from Galilee followed along and observed the tomb and how his body was placed. 56 Then they returned and prepared spices and perfumes. And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.

After the torturous suffering of the cross, Jesus cried out two final phrases:  "It is Finished" and "Father, into your hands I entrust my Spirit." And with these two phrases, He clues us into what has happened.

First, His work in paying for sin is complete (Heb. 10:10). He didn't proceed to pay for sin by fighting the devil in hell or anything else about which many speculate. And second, He was entrusting Himself to the Father, just as He had all along. If He was to live again, the Father would need to raise Him from the dead. (Acts 2:24)

And then, as the Sabbath drew near, amidst a darkened sky, the lifeless maker of the universe was laid into the grave. Just as he created the world to function on a seven day weekly rhythm, with the final day being a day of rest from work -- Christ Jesus had finished his work as our atoning sacrifice on the sixth day of the week. And as the final day drew near, His body was laid to rest.

If your sin haunts you today or you feel no rest, know that your Savior finished the work you couldn't have accomplished. And after completing the work, he died. But Christ's sabbath rest only lasted for a short time. Sunday morning will be here soon.

Tonight, as we remember the body of our lifeless Messiah -- laid to rest Friday evening and in the tomb until early Sunday -- listen to this beautiful song from Andrew Peterson about Christ's rest in the tomb:  God Rested - by Andrew Peterson

And then let's gather tomorrow and rejoice in the power of His resurrection. See you at 7am, 9:15am, or 11am.
 
 
Facebook
YouTube
Website
Instagram
 
Copyright © *2021 Redeemer Church, All rights reserved.


Our address is:
730 Baker Dr., Tomball, Texas 77375
(281) 374-1700

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You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list

 
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