Beyond the Weekend: Road to Resurrection
The Passion of Jesus defines the events leading up to Easter and is the biggest holiday season celebrated by Christians around the world. The milestones of this season include Jesus’ Triumphal Entry, Good Friday, and Easter. But why do the events of Jesus’ Passion matter? Do they even have significance in our lives today?
In this 3-week series ROAD TO RESURRECTION leading up to Easter, Sr. Pastor Aaron Buer will teach about the biblical and cultural significance of the events of Jesus’ Passion and share the impact of Jesus’ sacrifice for our eternity.
Week 1: Matthew 21:1-11
Week 2: Matthew 27:45-53
Week 3: Luke 24:13-35
Palm Sunday
TODAY'S SCRIPTURE
After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. Revelation 7:9
Read: Revelation 7:9-10 Listen: Revelation 7
TODAY'S MESSAGE
The crowd waving palm branches in Jerusalem at Jesus’s arrival is not the last time people will hold this symbol of victory in front of him. The book of Revelation describes a picture of the victory Jesus won. Jesus’s disciple, John, was given a vision late in life of what will happen in the future. A massive crowd of people from every ethnic group on earth will gather in front of the throne. They will wear white because Jesus has made them clean. They are forgiven and pure and hold palm branches. Non-Jews will also hold the Jewish symbol of victory. As they do, they will describe the victory Jesus achieved, “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb” (Revelation 9:10).
The ancient Jews were obsessed with freedom, independence and victory over Rome. They lost sight that through them, all people would come to know God. The victory we celebrate this Palm Sunday is the victory Jesus won that opened the door for all to believe and experience life in him.
TODAY: Celebrate and rejoice in Jesus as our King, Savior and Victor. For a few minutes, quietly focus on who Jesus is. Perhaps imagine the scene before the throne and echo their cry, “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” Join us for this weekend’s service and bring this heart of worship and gratitude for who Jesus is and what he has done for us.
JESUS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
Read Hosea 5. Highlight anything that points to Jesus.
Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.
