No matter where you are tomorrow, Jesus continues to ride on in majesty and mercy to the door of people's hearts, and he wants to come and reign unrivaled and supreme on the throne of your heart. Our celebration of Palm Sunday, which is the beginning of Holy Week, helps us to do just that. … Continue reading Prepare Your Heart for Palm Sunday
Holy Week
Prayers of Confession for Palm Sunday
Prayer Sample #1:Holy Father,long ago the crowds with incessant hallelujahsgreeted Your dearly loved Son,but how quickly they mockedas He went lonely to the cross.Forgive us for the ways that we, too,have welcomed Him only in wordsand resisted His kingship.Subdue our restless and rebellious heartsso that we might serve You faithfullythrough Jesus Christ our Lord,who is … Continue reading Prayers of Confession for Palm Sunday
What the death of Christ accomplished – J.C. Ryle
That death discharged in full the mighty debt which sinners owe to God and threw open the door of life to every believer. That death satisfied the righteous claims of God's holy law, and enabled God to be just, and yet the justifier of the ungodly. That death was no mere example of self-sacrifice, but … Continue reading What the death of Christ accomplished – J.C. Ryle
The Silent Sufferings of the Judge of the Whole World
"What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?" They all said to him, "Let Him be crucified!" He who will one day judge the world allowed himself to be judged and condemned, though "he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth." (Isaiah 53:9.) He from whose lips Pilate … Continue reading The Silent Sufferings of the Judge of the Whole World
A Prayer of Confession for Good Friday
Merciful Father, we meet each other today at the foot of the cross. We wait with each other as those who inflict wounds on one another: Have mercy on us. As those who spurn Your love for other loves: Be merciful to us. As those who put our trust in power and prestige: Be merciful … Continue reading A Prayer of Confession for Good Friday
Barabbas and Jesus – A Prayer of Confession of Sin
Luke 23:18 - But they all cried out together, “Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas (whose name means 'son of the father').” 23:22 - A third time he [Pilate] said to them, “Why? What evil has he done? I have found in him no guilt deserving death. God, our heavenly Father, we … Continue reading Barabbas and Jesus – A Prayer of Confession of Sin
Welcoming the King on Palm Sunday
There is something exciting about being in a crowd. A crowd came from Jerusalem to greet him… to welcome him into the great city of David as the long anticipated Messiah… the deliverer for whom they had hoped. But Jesus rides into Jerusalem in a manner that shatters the expectations of his people of their … Continue reading Welcoming the King on Palm Sunday
Give Us Hearts that Burn O Lord
William Cowper says in one of his letters that he once was friends with a man of fine taste who confessed to him that although he could not subscribe to the truth of Christianity, he could never read this passage in Luke's Gospel (the Emmaus Walk - Luke 24) without being deeply affected by it, … Continue reading Give Us Hearts that Burn O Lord
Worship Reflections for Resurrection Sunday
To a Christian, Easter Sunday means everything, when we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. — Bernhard Langer The enemies of our joy are banished by our Savior’s resurrection: The finality of death, the fatality of sin, and the seeming futility of life. “He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised … Continue reading Worship Reflections for Resurrection Sunday
Good Friday and Three Truths the Cross Enforces
When the Apostle Peter discovered that Jesus would experience humiliation and suffering, he exploded, "God forbid, Lord! This shall never happen to you." Then, Jesus' offered a devastating rebuke: "Get behind me, Satan, you are a stumbling block" (16:22-23). Jesus reminded him and us that the son of man came to give His life. This … Continue reading Good Friday and Three Truths the Cross Enforces
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