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The Gospel of Matthew Bible Studies
The Gospel of Mark Bible Studies
The Book of Acts Bible Studies
January 2010
February 2010
March 2010
April 2010
May 2010
June 2010
July 2010
August 2010
September 2010
October 2010
November 2010
December 2010
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Palm Sunday/Passion Sunday (C) Wow. What a story we have just heard. We began this service with a celebration of Jesus’ Palm Sunday entrance into Jerusalem. But even in the midst of that joy, Jesus knew that the cross was in his immediate future. Jesus knew that he was riding on to die. And then in the Passion story, we heard of the many sins that did Jesus in to death. We heard about the sin of Judas, who betrayed him for money. We heard about the sin of Peter, who denied his Lord because he was afraid. We heard about the sins of the chief priests, temple police, elders, scribes, and other religious leaders – who hated Jesus and deliberately plotted his murder. We heard about the sins of the disciples, who on the eve of our Lord’s passion were bickering with each other as to which of them should be regarded as the greatest. We heard about the sin of the crowds, who let the religious rulers whip them up into a frenzied mob. We heard about the sin of Pilate, who chose the path of political expediency rather than doing what he knew to be right. And we heard about the sin of the soldiers, who mocked Jesus and treated him with contempt – because to them he was just another criminal. But these sins were not just the sins of those particular people in the Passion story. If the Passion story is to have any real meaning for us, we must understand that they are the sins which WE so often do as well! Perhaps WE, like Judas, have sometimes done the wrong thing for money. Perhaps WE, like Peter, have sometimes failed to do what we should because we were afraid. Perhaps WE, like the religious leaders, have let ourselves become consumed by hatred, or have deliberately told LIES about others or have put the worst possible construction on their words and actions. Perhaps WE, like the crowd, sometimes let our emotions get out of control – or like Pilate, choose to do the wrong thing because we don’t want to take a stand against the crowd. And perhaps WE, like the soldiers, let our prejudicial stereotypes keep us from seeing persons for whom they really are and also keep us from treating them with compassion and respect. Yes, the sins that did Jesus in to death are OUR sins as well. In a very real way, the Passion Gospel is not just a story of the past but also of the present as well. And it involves US as well as the characters we have heard about. In a very real way, WE are participants in the crucifixion of our Lord. May God forgive us. Today, as we begin our observance of Holy Week may we reflect upon those sins which we are doing and living by – and repent of them, so that by God’s grace we can live a new life. As we journey through this Holy Week, may we know and understand that Jesus Christ died for us, so that we can be forgiven and live with him forever. May we know and understand that this (arms outstretched) is how much our Lord loves us – even to suffer death on the cross. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) Let us remember that – always! Amen! -------------------- Pastor George Karres 418 W. Main St. Sidney, MT 59270
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