Sermons

Last week we considered the words that other people said to Christ while He was on the cross. This week we'll consider the words Jesus said to others. The contrast is profound. While He was being mocked, He was blessing. While He was being accused, He was caring for others. While the weight of the world's sin was on His shoulders, He was caring for us.

We've studied the first three parts of the trial of Jesus. The ruling "religious body" known as the Sanhedrin, had declared Jesus guilty of blasphemy. The penalty was death but they could not legally carry out the sentence. They needed Rome to carry out their dirty work and as the Apostles' Creed says, Jesus "suffered under Pontius Pilate."

Peter joined John in the courtyard of the high priest. Jesus was in the palace being "convicted" in a kangaroo court. Peter was in no state of mind (or heart) to be this close to such danger but he had disregarded Jesus' words and put himself in a precarious situation. 

This may seem far removed from our lives in 2016...but this is a lot closer to where we live than we may recognize on the surface.

Perhaps there is no more infamous betrayel than the one before us today. The term, "the Judas kiss" has become synonymous with despicable, traitorous actions. We learned in previous studies that Judas had made arrangements in advance in exchange for money. He knew where Jesus would be praying that evening and led the "great multitude" to Gethsemane. The events that took place there are not what we would expect...unless we remember Jesus' purpose.

The text before us this morning is of incredible importance, from it we derive the beginning of what we call "the Eucharist," "Communion," or "The Lord's Table." Those who participate in this ordinance with a tender heart and ears to hear will strengthen their faith and their love for the Lord Jesus will grow. Jesus is the Passover Lamb that took away the sins of the world.

This text comprises the conclusion of the Olivet Discourse. In response to the questions of the disciples about details of the "end times," Jesus described in broad strokes what we could expect. We have learned that He is returning, that the world will be very different when He does and that we should be prepared and faithful while we wait. Jesus' conclusion is both comforting and sobering for eternal blessings or eternal torment await every individual. The final judgment will include a test for evidence — it will not be as radical as some think.

Weddings are often a time of great joy and excitement. While the customs and traditions change over the years from country to country there are similarities to which most of us can relate. As Jesus prepared His disciples for His physical absence, He used a series of stories to illustrate the importance of being prepared for His return. One of those stories is before us this morning. It is the story of a wedding and the saga of ten bridesmaids — some that were prepared and some that were not.