This Lord’s Day is often called Palm Sunday, the day that Jesus entered Jerusalem mounted on a donkey to the shouts and praises of Jerusalem. This final entry into Jerusalem began the last days before Jesus’ arrest, trial, crucifixion, and resurrection. This Sunday, we will look at what is often called “The Triumphal Entry” from John 12:12-26. If you had been in Jerusalem that day, it would have been a scene of victory and glory for Jesus. You would have assumed that Christ had finally reached the pinnacle of his ministry, and this messiah was now bringing the Kingdom promises to God’s people. You would have thought that Jesus was about to be proclaimed King and rule from Jerusalem, inaugurating God’s reign over the oppressing nations. Jesus had just raised Lazarus from the dead, which this crowd knew (v. 17-18), and now they saw the fulfillment of prophecy as Jesus rode into the city mounted on a donkey (Zech. 9:9). Yet, no one in the crowd understood the kind of king Jesus had come to be. His disciples didn’t understand He had come to die (v. 16). Within several days, the crowds who hailed him as king cried, “Crucify Him” before Pilate, and even the Pharisees thought he had come to reign (v. 19). Everyone in this scene understood Jesus based on their own expectations rather than who He really was. Yet, before entering the city, Jesus Himself tells them how all must respond to this King. As Greeks desire to see Him, Jesus explains that He would be glorified in His death (v. 23-24) so that His people would be with Him. Then, He tells them the requirement of this King (v. 25-26). Before we come to Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday, we must ask if we have rightly responded to this King of kings for who He is.

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This year, our Christmas Eve Service will be at 10 am on Sunday. I look forward to celebrating our Savior's birth as we sing praises to our King, observe the Lord's Supper, and open God's Word together. Last Sunday, Cameron preached from John 1:6- 13, showing us the light of Christmas. On Christmas Eve, we will continue that passage and examine the glory of Christmas. "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth" (John 1:14). Although John 1 is one of the most familiar passages in the Bible, it should still amaze us that God would take upon Himself a human nature to bring salvation to sinners. The Son, the radiance of God's glory and the exact imprint of His nature, who upholds the universe by the word of His power (Heb. 1:3), became a man so that He might be the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. For His birth in Bethlehem, myriads upon myriads of angels filled the skies, singing glorious praises to God. They celebrated this wondrous act of our gracious God, who humbled Himself to redeem us. This Lord's Day, which is also Christmas Eve, let us join their celebration and marvel at the Savior, who is God with us.

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Jesus restores Peter to service giving him an opportunity to affirm his love three times just as he denied Jesus three times. In this we see Jesus' command for all those who love Him. We are called to tend sheep. We are called to make disciples. This call is fueled by a love for Jesus and it is a call that costs your life.

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Jesus uses a fishing trip to illustrate how the disciples will live on mission as they serve the now risen Christ. This fishing trip will remind Peter, John, and James of the day that Jesus first called them to follow Him and become fishers of people. They will be forced to face the reality, and practically apply Jesus’ words, "without me you can do nothing." In this event, we will also come to see more fully that Jesus alone is the provider and the nourisher of his weary and hurting servants.

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In verses 24-31, the disciples will hit their first roadblock. They will come face to face with the impossibility of living on mission in their own power. One of their own, Thomas, refuses to believe their testimony. How could they ever hope to convince anyone else when one of the 12 won’t even listen? John gives us the answer as He shows us the power of the risen Christ. Only an encounter with Jesus changes hearts. Sunday we examine Thomas’ encounter and see how John himself (in v. 30-31) connects Thomas’ experience with ours today. Our calling to make disciples is a supernatural one accomplished by the word of the gospel, as the Spirit moves upon it. Even in a drastically changing world, we have a mandate from the King of kings who is with us as we fulfill it - even to the end of the age!

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Jesus sends His disciples just as He was sent. They are given Peace, power, and authority to engage in the mission of making disciples.

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Mary discovers the empty tomb and in this section we see what the resurrection means for us. The empty tomb is evidence that the grave has been forever conquered. Because He lives we also have a hope that conquers despair. Mary is called out of her despair when she realizes Jesus is alive. And finally, like Mary, we are given a mission and a message to carry in this world.

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Jesus not only died and entered into the tomb, He did so as our covenant head. He went before us, into death itself, to conquer the grave itself on behalf of those who trust in Him. The testimony of this burial still echos with power today. The evidence shows He truly died, He is truly divine, and He truly transforms His disciples

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John 19:16-30 shows us the fulfillment of all of Scripture and God’s purposes in the salvation of sinners. Sunday, we examine the crucifixion of Jesus. Up to this point, John has gone to great lengths to show us Jesus’ control of the situation. He has chosen to allow His arrest, His various trials, and now He freely gives His life on the cross as a substitute for sinners. 

At every point in this text, we are made aware that even the tiniest details have been foretold and are fulfilling the purposes of the Father. Even on the darkest day in human history, there is absolutely nothing out of God’s control. Each detail is a fulfillment of the Scriptures, meticulously accomplishing God’s plan of salvation for us. As we examine the perfect Lamb sacrificed for our salvation, we are also repeatedly shown that God’s Word is faithful and true in all things. His Word was true on the day when all hope seemed lost, and His Word is still true today in all that we face. Believer, His Word will be true after all the stars burn out and we have spent ten billion years in His presence. His word will be true throughout eternity. Therefore, if God is for us - today - who can be against us?

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