Kingdom Keys (1 Corinthians 5:1-10; LD 31)
The church in Corinth, despite its knowledge and spiritual gifts, fails to comprehend living in and for Christ. They are a church that celebrates their elitism without seeing the cross. Paul emphasizes the importance of embracing the cross of the Gospel and warns against philosophical thought that props up the self at the expense of others. The keys of the kingdom open the kingdom, sincerely calling people to faith. The keys of the kingdom also close the kingdom by putting the person outside the household of faith.
A Little Faith Goes A Long Ways (Luke 17:1-10)
Christ’s teaching affirms the validity of Moses and the prophets, emphasizing the importance of a Christian walk as a servant before our gracious master. The apostles request more faith, but Christ emphasizes the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. Ultimately, living in God’s service is a joy, knowing His favor is unearned. It is the assurance that we live for the greatest master.
Why the Lord's Supper? (1 Corinthians 11:17-34; LD 30)
The Lord’s Supper is a sacrament that nourishes believers with the benefits of Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice. We need to see and believe that we serve a risen and present Savior. Christ’s sacrifice is not repeated, but a spiritual meal where the Holy Spirit strengthens our faith. Christ invites us to do this in remembrance of him, not as an empty memorial. We think of the memorial stones set up by Israel, where they recognize the continual care, protection, and presence of their God with His people. So, we evaluate whether the truth of our faith, where we are grounded, and continue to seek our life in Christ. Ultimately, this sacrament pictures for us that our Lord continues to nourish, protect, and lead us to the heavenly banquet.
Behold the Man! (John 19:5)
Pilate, unable to comprehend Christ’s claims, sees him as a delusional idealist ultimately handing him over to death. Pilate sees Christ as delusional rather than the Lamb of God. Pilate thinks he can dismiss the matter and resolve it with political wisdom. However, Christ’s sacrifice on the cross fulfills prophecies, ultimately confirmed in his resurrection and triumph as king.
Good Friday: Psalm 22
Here is another important passage in the Old Testament that sets the stage for Good Friday. This is the lamenting suffering in the presence of God. We can think that God does not understand our suffering or that he is absent in our dark times. However, our Lord takes the words of the Psalmist upon his lips. We will be considering Pilate declaring Christ the man on Friday night. This Psalm is a call for us to consider what our Lord endured. We remember this Psalm and Isaiah 53 end with the assurance of life. Let us go in the assurance that Our Lord has done it.
Standing Over the Door (LD 19; Exodus 12:7-20)
The Lord’s Supper, like Passover, is a visible sign of Christ’s sacrifice, symbolizing believers’ participation in his suffering and death. It is not a re-sacrifice but a nourishment in Christ’s one-time sacrifice. Christ, as the Passover lamb symbolizes, protects his redeemed people, and the sacraments hold out his grace and power and they do not hold out a different grace or a different power. They represent the one true Gospel.
Can Faith Both Unite and Divide? (Luke 12:49-59)
Jesus’ mission is paradoxical because He unifies His people in faith and brings division at the same time. Christ is celebrated because he brings heavenly peace, but Christ declares, “I have not come to bring peace, but division,” because true peace is not the absence of conflict but submission to Christ as King. Families may be divided over their allegiance to Him, but His baptism of suffering and judgment secures His disciples who hear his word. Just as the Spirit’s fire empowered the disciples rather than consuming them in Luke’s second volume, Christ’s sacrifice enables us to stand in the final judgment as we already taste its cleansing power. He warns that while people can discern the weather, many fail to recognize the urgency of the gospel. Real faith is not about religious rituals or cultural Christianity but about embracing Jesus as Messiah, Savior, and King. By faith, we are transformed, aligning our hearts and lives with Him, not as perfect people but as redeemed ones who live for God’s glory. Let us judge for ourselves what is right as we discern the true words of our savior.