Items for the week of Sunday, March 29th

This past Sunday, March 29^th, Passion of Our Lord Sunday/Palm Sunday, we heard the following scripture readings, introduction, and prayer of the day during the worship service:

Introduction

Sunday, we encounter the paradox that defines our faith: Jesus Christ is glorified king and humiliated servant. We too are full of paradox: like Peter, we fervently desire to follow Christ, but find ourselves afraid, denying God. We wave palms in celebration today as Christ comes into our midst, and we follow with trepidation as his path leads to death on the cross. Amid it all we are invited into this paradoxical promise of life through Christ’s broken body and outpoured love in a meal of bread and wine. We begin this week that stands at the center of the church year, anticipating the completion of God’s astounding work.

Prayer of the Day

Everlasting God, in your endless love for the human race you sent our Lord Jesus Christ to take on our nature and to suffer death on the cross. In your mercy enable us to share in his obedience to your will and in the glorious victory of his resurrection, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Scripture
Matthew 21:1-11 Jesus enters Jerusalem
Isaiah 50:4-9a The servant of the Lord submits to suffering
Psalm 31:9-16 Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit. (Ps. 31:5)
Philippians 2:5-11 Humbled to the point of death on a cross
Matthew 26:14 — 27:66 The passion of the Lord

Devotion for the week

His Blood Be On Us

Today we begin Holy Week, a week filled with paradoxes, reversals, and ironic twists. The story moves inevitably toward death, yet it brings the promise of life. Jesus appears to be the victim, but he chooses this path, humbling himself, confident that God will exalt him in victory. Pilate embodies the full might of the Roman Empire but is powerless before the crowd’s demands. The chief priests and elders, perhaps more than anyone else, should recognize the long-hoped-for Messiah, but their jealousy prevents this.

Perhaps the greatest irony in today’s Passion reading is found in the crowd’s exclamation, “His blood be on us and on our children!” (Matthew 27:25). These words have been misused to slander the Jewish people, claiming they bear the guilt of Christ’s blood. Superficially, that is what the crowd means: Pilate refuses responsibility, so the people take it upon themselves. Theologically, though, the crowd speaks a universal truth. Far from justifying anti-Jewish scapegoating, these words apply to all humanity. Somehow we are all implicated in the death of Jesus. Our rebellion, our sin, places him on the cross.

Paradoxically, however, the crowd’s words also reveal a deeper truth. The blood of Christ does not mark with condemnation; it promises forgiveness. It does not stain with guilt; it washes sin away. By accepting suffering and death at the hands of sinners, Jesus wins the victory of love. His blood be on us, indeed! Just as we all share guilt in the crucifixion of Jesus, so too are we all granted mercy by his self-giving death. United in baptism to his death and resurrection, receiving his body and blood in communion, we receive grace, freedom, and life.

In the days to come, do not look at these contradictions as puzzles to be solved. They are mysteries beyond full understanding. But as you contemplate the events of Holy Week, you will discover new depths of God’s love for you. May his blood be upon us all, with mercy and salvation.