Title: Journey to the Cross - Passion Week
Theme: To show that Christ journey to the cross was deliberate. Each event in passion week had a purpose.
Opening Scripture
John 12:12-19 The next day a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, (13) took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out: "Hosanna! 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!' [70] The King of Israel!" (14) Then Jesus, when He had found a young donkey, sat on it; as it is written: (15) "Fear not, daughter of Zion; Behold, your King is coming, Sitting on a donkey's colt." [71] (16) His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written about Him and that they had done these things to Him. (17) Therefore the people, who were with Him when He called Lazarus out of his tomb and raised him from the dead, bore witness. (18) For this reason the people also met Him, because they heard that He had done this sign. (19) The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, "You see that you are accomplishing nothing. Look, the world has gone after Him!"
Symbols: Palm for Palm Sunday, Whip for Monday, Tuesday – Stone, Wednesday – Praying hands, Thursday – Communion cup/Feet, Friday Saturday Resurrection
Introduction
This week was deliberate. Planned out in a way to lead up to the greatest event in history – The Resurrection
This also builds the tension between Jesus and the religious leaders. This was the final draw. In these events there are lessons to be learned.
Palm Sunday – The Triumphant Entry
Quote by the Pharisees – The Whole world is going after him. Their greatest fear was they had lost their place of authority. Their greatest fear was their identity. They did not like change because it meant that they would have to be different or lose their place.
This was never about God or His praise they just used Him for an excuse.
Luke 19:40 But He answered and said to them, "I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out."
John 12:9 The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, "You see that you are accomplishing nothing. Look, the world has gone after Him!"
Lesson: People - Worship is more than an event but truly following the ways of God.
Pharisees – This is not about us but about God. The Pharisees were afraid because they were losing control. This church. This walk is about Christ.
Cleansing the Temple – Monday
This escalated the tension. Jesus not only took authority over the crowd and worship but also over the temple.
He came in like a force. Turning over tables and making a whip to beat the traders out.
Matthew 21:13 And He said to them, "It is written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer,' but you have made it a 'den of thieves.'“
Lesson: There should always be a reverence to God’s house. It may be a distinguishing place. Such as this place of worship. I am not trying to get you to be religious but there should be something that helps you connect. For some it is the “dressing up”. For others it is the place of seat or songs.
We are the temple of the Holy Spirit. Our bodies should be respected and cherished because of His salvation and redemption.
Teaching of the Parables – Tuesday
Luke 20:19 And the chief priests and the scribes that very hour sought to lay hands on Him, but they feared the people*--for they knew He had spoken this parable against them.
Things had really began to escalate. Now the Pharisees were seeing clearly what Jesus was talking about. Instead of changing themselves they were now targeting him. Trying to discredit him by arguing scripture. But also making plans to crucify him.
Truthfully falling right into the hands of prophecy.
Galatians 4:4-5 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, (5) to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.
Lesson: God has a plan.
Wednesday – Day of silence
Lesson: Be still and know that I am God. Sometimes we have to STOP and prepare. I call this the winter season in our lives.
Thursday – Communion/Feetwashing, the Garden prayer and Betrayal. The trial begins.
There is so much here. Jesus washes His disciples feet.
John_13:3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God,
Jesus prays in the garden. Pleading with His disciples to “watch and pray”. The adversary is ready to pounce.
Matthew 26:40 Then He came to the disciples and found them asleep, and said to Peter, "What? Could you not watch with Me one hour? 41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."
Jesus is betrayed by a kiss. Judas sold out Jesus.
Lesson: When we know where we are going (in God’s purpose) we don’t worry about what is going to take for us to get there.
Judas sold out. Most people are sold out but what they are sold out to is the key.
Friday – Crucifixion
Lesson: Jesus stayed focused even on the cross. (forgiveness, unselfishness-taking care of His mother, salvation-focusing on duty of salvation of man on the cross,)
In out suffering it is easy to become introspective and miss the world around us. We get selfish.
We are challenged to take up our cross and follow Christ.
Luke 23:34, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”
Luke 23:43, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
Mark 15:34; Matthew 27:46, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
John 19:26-27, “Woman, here is your son… Here is your mother.”
Luke 23:46, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.”
John 19:28, “I am thirsty.”
John 19:30, “It is finished.”
Saturday – In the Tomb
Lesson: In God’s timing life will come.
Sunday – Resurrection
Lesson: You cannot have the resurrection without the crucifixion.
