In the Roman world, someone crucified would never have been seen as a hero. What was different about Jesus? The gospel writers don't spend much time telling us what happened when Jesus died, but they do tell us why he died and what it has to do with us. Each time we read about the crucifixion, we are confronted with Jesus Christ and encounter the reasons for his death.

In the Last Supper, Jesus does more than just celebrate the Passover. He re-interprets this meal for all time and invites us to pull up a set. But what are we doing at this table? Every time we celebrate communion, we are committing, communing, and commemorating Jesus Christ.

Jesus's favorite way to describe the time between his resurrection and the second coming was through the picture of a master going away and returning. In a series of parables, Jesus instructs us on what to do as we wait for his return. The parable of the talents is a common parable with a powerful meaning; we should be working for the kingdom until the King returns.

In the last discourse with his disciples, Jesus talks about the end of the world, kind of. The disciples ask Jesus when the events he describes will take place. Jesus answers by talking about both the destruction of the temple and the second coming. In the midst of this teaching, he gives us some things to watch for and some things to do as we wait.

The Pharisees were after Jesus. In this last stretch of the Gospel of Matthew, the Pharisees double their efforts to trap Jesus in his words. In response to a lawyer's question, Jesus gave what has come to be one of the most famous passages of Scripture, the great commandment. Here, we find all of what is required of us summed up in one command: to love God.

Jesus was a master storyteller. In the parable of the tenants, Jesus weaves historical threads together to address three audiences: the world, the Pharisees, and you and I. To each group, Jesus shows the total sovereignty of God over history, the patience of the Father, and the opportunity to join in the work of God.

As is the case in so many Psalms, this one begins in trouble. There are four requests to God in this Psalm, and by the end, he's answered them all. Through the process, we learn to come to God and trust in his goodness, no matter what we're facing.

Preacher: Kerwin Dees

Jesus's encounters in the gospels are opportunities for us to encounter Jesus as well. In the encounter with the rich young man in Matthew 19, Jesus holds up a mirror to his need, his money, and his salvation. In doing so then, he holds the mirror up for us now. We know how the young man responded. How will we respond to Jesus?

When Jesus talks about confronting sin in others, it's based on the core teaching of the Gospel. We know what to do with sin. In Christ, we can be forgiven of our sins and restored into relationship with God. Now we can do the same thing with others. All Christians have been called to be peacemakers, modeling the grace and forgiveness of God to others. In Matt. 18:15-17, Jesus calls us all to grow in our unity and reconciliation by dealing with sin.

Psalm 73 models nearly everything the Psalms teach us about emotions. The psalmist begins with duty and ends with delight. He begins envious of the ungodly and ends exclaiming, "Whom have I in Heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth I desire besides you." How did this change take place? When he went into the sanctuary, God gave him a new perspective, a new beginning, and a new direction. Through this psalm, God can do the same thing for us.