As we begin our new sermon series _Summer in the Psalms_ this week, we’ll hear the Psalmist ask the most important question ever: “Who is allowed in the household of God?” or “Who is the person who gets to have a relationship with God?” As we hear the answer, a certain truth becomes clear: none of us measure up. Not one. Except for Jesus. Because of Jesus, this question-and-answer session that could be so crushing ends up pointing to the comfort of God’s grace.

Psalm 15

Listen to a quick update for July at Seven Mile Melrose

Three trials of Jesus occur in our passage from Luke this week. Each more sad than the one before. Any of these could set him free. Accusations are made of Jesus, but his innocence looms brightly.It’s these trials and accusations that shine a light on our guilt vs his innocence. We begin to glimpse God’s plan to allow a grave injustice that He might graciously justify His people.Luke 23:1-25

After Jesus’ arrest, he’s taken to meet with the religious leaders. He ends up denied and abandoned by a close friend, beaten, blasphemed, and berated by those guarding him, and convicted for blasphemy. The sequence of events was not only heartbreaking, but it was also prophecy-fulfilling. The very lies people told about Jesus only confirmed that he is, in fact, the all-powerful Lord.

Luke 22.54-71

It was a dark and dreary night when the darkest of sins was committed against the Light, the Son of Man, Jesus, the Son of God. Judas reveals himself as the disciple who was to betray Jesus, Peter pulls out a sword in a heated moment of violence, and Jesus willingly walks off into the night with those who hate him most. Where was God in the darkness? He was where He always is, in control. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Jesus nears the time of his sacrifice on the cross. The weight of the reality of our sin is immense. Jesus turns to the Father in prayer in utter dependence as he prepares for this. In doing this, Jesus is more than just as an example to us. He is accomplishing something for us by his faithful dependence on God.

Listen for an update on Seven Mile Melrose this month!

In his last meal with his disciples, Jesus redefines greatness, teaching that greatness is about serving others. Then he invites his disciples into a life of greatness ... a life leading in his kingdom in his ways. Yet, the disciples continue to ask the wrong questions, say the wrong things, and make promises they just can’t keep. They seem to lack everything needed to be great, but we’ll find that they really lack nothing (not a single thing!) because they have Jesus.

Who am I? With whom do I belong?
We often answer this question through our clothing, calendars, and who we spend time with.
In Luke 22:7-20, Jesus commands his disciples to begin a new practice of eating a simple meal of bread and wine together.
As followers of Jesus, he marks our identity and belonging through this meal.

Trapped between a desire to kill Jesus and their fear of the crowds finding out what they are doing, the chief priests are desperate and out of options. At a time when they should be celebrating God's deliverance, a plan develops to kill the Deliverer ... as Judas offers to betray Jesus.

Luke 22.1-6