Everyday Lutherans

It is difficult for us to capture the same surprise, joy, and amazement that those women and men who were the disciples of Jesus Christ had.  We have gathered for this three-part worship service of Jesus’ final day on earth and his death. We gather together today for his joyous arrival back among us.  However, for many of us, we know the story. We know what it is going to happen, while the disciples did not.  It is like reading a book and then watching the movie. However, it is Easter on which most people focus.  They focus on the joyous celebration, the triumph, and victory.  We so often focus upon it that we can forget the details or reason for the celebration.  We can forget the days that led up to this. The days that we still experience in our daily life.  However, along with this journey of life and faith, we can so easily get caught up on the one instance.  An instance that holds our gaze. It holds all our attention, our time, and our energy, that our life becomes focused on it. ...

Every year, we gather together to hear the truth of this account of Jesus being among us.  However, there are so many people, so many personalities and so many people whom we can learn from.  I would like to focus upon the Chief Priests.  Now let me remind all of you that the Chief Priests were appointed members of the community to lead and guide the whole people in following what God was calling them to do and be.  They were in charge of operating the Holy Temple and ensuring that everyone who attended was able to be a part of the holiday.   The chief priests were the spiritual leaders and the ones whom all people went to for direction and understand of what God was doing in the world.  However, the chief priests did not see and did not want to see what God was truly doing in the world.  They were so focused on the traditions and rituals that bound them in the glory and honor that was associated with God that they actually took it upon themselves. ...

Just a few days ago, Jesus entered into Jerusalem.  Many crowds were gathered together hoping that Jesus would be the answers to their prayers.  That Jesus would save them from the troubles of this world.  The crowd was shouting with all their hopes and dreams of what Jesus could be for them.  Now the crowds have disbanded.  They have left.  They did not receive an answer fast enough.  They did not receive an answer that they liked.  The people wanted to know what would elevate them in their glory.  They wanted to have an easier life. Tonight, Jesus gathers together those who are still with him.  Those are willing to work and realize that the gift he is bringing is something in which all of us can share.  At long last, we hear precisely from our Savior and Lord the answer that we have been hoping for and asking over and over again.  “Jesus, what can I do for you since you gave your life to save me?” Jesus says, “you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one a...