Holy Saturday Eve Service 2025 | Rev. John Arnold by Christ Church Jerusalem

Good Friday Message 2025

Luke is the only Gospel that reports Jesus weeping over Jerusalem upon his triumphal entry. In that account, Jesus warns that the city he loves is rushing towards a self-inflicted disaster. Often we assume Jerusalem was judged because of Jesus’ crucifixion. But Jesus explains that Jerusalem not only failed to recognize the “time of God’s visitation”, but also did not know what made for peace – putting his teachings into practice. For much of Church history we have vilified the Jewish people for “rejecting Jesus” without asking if we, in essence, do the same. Do we fail to take the words of Jesus seriously? Do we fail to notice when God comes to us in renewal or judgment? We also need to remember that the same Jesus who wept when he foresaw the destruction of Jerusalem also prophesied that a day of restoration was coming!

Joshua meets a person outside the walls of Jericho. This person has him remove sandals and bow. In this message we look at who this is and why his holiness changes us.

On God’s pathway we take one step of obedience at a time and only after reaching the destination are we able to look back and see how it all was connected. A burning bush (a call) was God’s response to a cry for deliverance. God’s plan involved the man Moses who had learned key lessons while shepherding in the desert for 40 years. There is no time wasted in God’s kingdom- long waiting is essential for transformation and preparation. Sometimes God will send us deliverance in unusual ways when we cry out and we need to be watchful and discerning so we don’t miss it or reject it.

Abraham receives a blessing to be a blessing. He answers a call and then gets cold feet and needs assurance that God can fulfill the dream that God gave him. God then gives him a promise, a contract and a covenant, to help him trust.

When God gives Jesus Identity as Gods son and significance as being pleasing, Satan sets about questioning Jesus identity and earning his significance.

The Transfiguration is not only about seeing Jesus changed but how we become changed when we truly see him. Luke shows us why and how this happens to Peter and to us.

The two Witnesses | Revelation 11 with Phil Morrow by Christ Church Jerusalem

in the face of darkness and despair, Paul gives us a message of hope by talking about Death’s defeat and how through this truth we can face anything!