John 12:35 Then Jesus told them, "You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going.

1. If we don't know God through Jesus who died for our sins according to the Scriptures, we are _____________.

2. Jesus came for one purpose, to bring the Kingdom of God by ___________ on a ___________.

3. To know God through Christ is to have a _________ Father who gives us mercy and salvation.


Scripture Readings
Deuteronomy 32:36-39
Philippians 2:5-11
John 12:12-43


Take It With You!

This Sunday we heard of Jesus' triumphal entry in to Jerusalem as He went to the cross. Here we will offer thoughts and meditations on the sacrifice of Christ to help us as we contemplate and discuss and wrestle with the messages.

Here, then, is the difference between this King and the worldly rulers: They are concerned about people managing house and home, governing lands and subjects, acquiring money and property, becoming rich and powerful - all for the present time. Our Christ-King, on the other hand, wants us to know how to inherit the kingdom of heaven, how to be saved and become eternally rich, so that we may finally enter that other better life. Over there, eating, drinking, and working to sustain physical life will no longer be necessary, as it always is in this world. Yes, there these bodies of ours will be more beautiful, more lovely than the dear sun itself! There we will no longer be sad, weak, or sick, but everlastingly happy and healthy, strong and vigorous.

In this kingdom and by his Word Christ not only teaches us that we are poor lost sinners, condemned to death and in the devil's clutches, but also that through his death and blood, he has redeemed us from all sins, from death and the power of the devil, so that by him we are righteous and blessed forever. What wonderfully different teaching, wisdom, and insight this is compared with what is offered by human reason, legal experts, and the wise of this world - namely how to live here and now, managing house and home, acquiring goods, and protecting land and people. Even if we do live here a long, long time, finally and eventually we still have to depart and leave it all behind.

This is why Christ entered Jerusalem as he did, without worldly pomp, meekly riding on a donkey.

Martin Luther, Sermon for Palm Sunday, 1534.