Jesus The Stranger: Jesus, From Stranger To Savior
April 20, 2025
Scripture: John 20:1-18
It’s Easter! Resurrection Sunday! In addition to the spiritual significance of what this day means we also celebrate a number of family and cultural traditions. But may those important things not eclipse the most important thing. In the act of resurrection Jesus is changing the rules, breaking the bond of death, reimaging our futures. Let us celebrate and worship, John 20:1-18 will help in this effort.
Jesus The Stranger: God In The Darkest Times
April 13, 2025
Scripture: Luke 22:54-62
Today is Palm Sunday. We are familiar with the waving of the palms and singing our hallelujahs. This day starts Holy Week and reminds us that Easter is near! But those who lined the path and shouted their praise in the account of Jesus’ triumphant entry did not understand what mission Jesus was on as he showed up that day. Today we consider passages that tell us of the triumphant entry, Jesus praying in the garden, and Peter’s denial of Jesus. These three together will help us to better understand what Jesus was going through, and how that means he can be with us in our darkest times as well.
Jesus The Stranger: Overcoming Evil With Good
April 6, 2025
Scripture: John 10:11-18
It is not possible to over exaggerate the power of what Jesus did in love to overcome sin and death. It isn’t unique to our time, human history has shown that the way to gain power and expand influence is through physical might and threats of violence. Jesus flipped the script and welcomed the worst the world had to throw at him. By laying his life down and letting humans cast their unjust judgement and inflict death upon him despite his innocence he gives a rousing testimony to the ultimate power of love to overcome evil. As we come to worship and receive communion today, let us receive the power of the Holy Spirit that our lives can also be testimonies of the power of love to overcome evil in the world around us.
Jesus The Stranger: True Christian Disciple
March 30, 2025
Scripture: John 6:25-40
By definition, grace is a free gift that God gives to us without cost or merit. Yet, because grace is so amazing it requires a response from us. If we rightly understand the amazing things that Jesus has done for us and all that God gives without us earning it, then we must have a reaction. Letting God in our hearts, allowing grace to change us from the deepest places within, and living a life on the outside that reflects the work of love on the inside, that is the path of a disciple. John 6:25-40 leads us as we worship and seek to follow Jesus as his disciples.