These things were written that you may believe.

A burial fit for a king.

Alleluia! Christ is risen from the dead!

Jesus enters Jerusalem as King, Prophet, and Priest--the anointed Messiah and Lord. The inhabitants of the city asked "Who is this?" Many still ask that question today. How do you answer? Is He your Lord? He came and died for you and, risen to life again, lives and reigns. He purchased you with His own blood.

Jesus is the Hero of the world. He who is the Life came to do battle with death. At the tomb of Lazarus, we see the fight become--a fight which will be finished on the cross and in Jesus' victorious rising from the dead.

In the mercy of Christ Jesus, God works His proper work of grace, giving us faith and granting the forgiveness of sins. In response, we worship Him, offering our thanks and praise.

Jesus is the Savior of the whole world--of Jews, Samaritans; of you and me.

In our text for today, Jesus says two things must happen--are necessary. You must be born again. The Son of Man must be lifted up.

We are chips off the old block of our forefather Adam and have inherited sin and its effect: death. But in Christ Jesus we are reborn children of God--made righteous by His blood on the cross and made inheritors of eternal life.

We are children of God the Father--a reward that will never fade and cannot be taken from us.  This is the motivation for our religious life. God is with us. God is for us.