2010 Sermon Series

Jesus in the Gospel of John

Palm / Passion Sunday – Sunday, March 28

Monday, March 29 – The Triumphal Entry.  With today’s reading we enter Holy Week. Notice that of the 21 chapters in John’s gospel, eleven of them are telling the story leading up to, and including Jesus’ death and resurrection. This is clearly the focus of Christian theology, for it is in Jesus’ death and resurrection that God’s saving work was accomplished on our behalf. Read John 12:12-19.  Only in John’s gospel do we learn that the triumphal entry took place on Sunday, and only here do we learn that the crowd waved palm branches. In 165 B.C., when Simon the Maccabee drove out the pagans from Jerusalem, defeating them and rededicating the temple to God (celebrated in the Jewish festival of Hanukkah) the people greeted him with palm branches waving – a sign of victory. This remembrance (the story was told at Hanukkah every year) prompted the people to gather palm branches for Jesus.  What does this say about their expectations of what Jesus would do? The people quoted from Psalm 118, and here also we find a mention of waving branches. This was a Psalm of thanksgiving for deliverance from enemies. Read Psalm 118. This Psalm is quoted several times in the N.T. Note the frustration of verse 19.  Describe what is happening from the Pharisees’ perspective.

Tuesday, March 30 – I Will Send you Comforter – the Holy Spirit.  Read John 14:15-31 In the light of his imminent departure, Jesus promises that he will not leave the disciples alone. What does Jesus expect of his followers? How do we demonstrate our love for him? How does Jesus describe the Holy Spirit? What will be the Holy Spirit’s work? How have you experienced this? Have you invited the Holy Spirit to fill you, work in and through you, and guide you? This is a good daily prayer. How do you see verse 27 at work in your life? What does verse 28 teach us about how we might look at the death of loved ones who are in Christ if we could see this as their opportunity to be reunited to God our Father? Note in verse 31 that Jesus’ ultimate demonstration of his love for the Father is his willingness to die to accomplish God’s purposes.

Wednesday, March 31 – “One of You Will Betray Me.” Read John 13:18-38.

At this point in the supper, Jesus tells of his impending betrayal (at the hands of Judas) and of Peter’s denial. Why do you think Judas might have betrayed Jesus? What were Peter’s motives in promising to stand by Jesus and then later in denying him? In what ways might we be like Peter? Have you ever denied Christ?

Thursday, April 1: MAUNDY/COMMAND THURSDAY – Washing the Disciples’ Feet. This week we will study the “Farewell Discourse” of Jesus to his disciples. His heart is heavy, knowing that within an hour he’ll be arrested, and in less than a day he will be put to death. Read John 13:1-17. In homes wealthy enough to have a slave, the slave washed the feet of house guests upon entering the home. In this home, the owner of the house has left out a basin of water and towel so Jesus and his guests can refresh and clean themselves. Notice what the disciples are thinking about on this night, prior to the footwashing. What does Jesus’ message and example teach you about his heart? About God’s will for our lives? How can you live this passage in your daily life?  Worship today at Noon or 7pm. 

Friday, April 2– GOOD FRIDAY – The Crucifixion. As you prepare to read the story of the crucifixion, be aware that today is Good Friday – the day of Holy Week on which Jesus was crucified. Read John 19. This chapter has been described as one of the most beautifully written works of religious literature ever composed. John makes the final hours of Jesus’ life, his passion and his death very real. Can you picture what is happening here to Jesus? Can you imagine yourself standing by and watching this? Notice how, even here in his trial and crucifixion, Jesus is in control – he controls his destiny, and he willingly lays down his life as a part of God’s redemptive plans for the world. Notice the emphasis here on Jesus as the king.  The Jewish people pray to God, addressing him as the “King of the Universe.” Jesus was God in the flesh, yet humankind crucified him. Look over last Sunday’s sermon notes and reflect upon the meaning of Jesus’ death in John’s gospel. Note that Jesus is crucified at the time that the Passover lambs were being prepared for slaughter. What did Jesus mean by his final words, “It is finished?” Notice Nicodemus, who appeared in John 3 as one afraid to be known as a follower of Jesus now has the courage to come to bury him. (v. 39)

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Sermon Notes