Dan Rowe - Sunday, 9 April 2023
Are we open to hearing from Jesus?
Scripture References: Luke 23:55-56, Luke 24:1-12, Psalms 16:1-11, Isaiah 53:7-12
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CloseAll is not as expected…its better! The tomb is open and the body of Jesus is gone. The angels proclaim “He is not here, He has risen!” (24:6) Easter Sunday is the climatic crescendo to God’s plan to redeem His people even if it is not what the disciples had expected. Through three separate encounters, we hear explained that what has taken place was no accident, no plan B, nor second rate option, but that “it is necessary that the Son of Man be betrayed into the hands of sinful men, be crucified, and rise on the third day” (24:7). Jesus makes bold claims surrounding who He is and what He has achieved; that He is truly, physically alive and that there is forgiveness of sins through Him alone. Are you open to discovering Jesus today?
Scripture References: Luke 23:55-56, Luke 24:1-12, Psalms 16:1-11, Isaiah 53:7-12
Related Topics: Easter | More Messages from Dan Rowe | Download Audio
Tim Baxter
Jesus is returning to Jerusalem for the second day. Jesus is hungry – he is human. Jesus sees fig tree – but, despite its leaves, it has no fruit. Jesus curses the fig tree. Jesus is God, taking on the divine role of pronouncing judgement. This brief episode is a living example of the judgement brought by the king of God’s people returning to his mob: they have become independent, insiders not aligned with the desire of God for the outsider. They are unfruitful, and they are judged. God’s mob, however, have true fruitfulness when they recognise the authority of the king, and completely and totally depend upon him. Such dependency will change the world, because of the one they depend upon!
Jesus has finally made it to Jerusalem. As Matthew prepares us for His entry into Jerusalem, he helps us confront Jesus’ authority, and the way in which it restores the concern of God for the outsider, and confronts the insider. This is the start of the Passover week. Jerusalem is a roiling maelstrom of religious and political fervour. And Matthew organises the narrative of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem around displays of His authority, rooted in recognition of His ‘old power’ – four Old Testament quotations structure the passage. As we come face-to-face with Jesus’ authority, three truths stand out. First, Jesus’ authority is extensive and all-encompassing. Second, Jesus’ authority is for the outsider, and rooted in God’s deep commitment to bring the outsider inside His kingdom. And, third, Jesus authority confronts the insider, and urges them to repentance. Come and meet Jesus, the King, in all His authority, as He enters Jerusalem!
What is greatness? In particular, what is greatness in the kingdom of God? That is the question addressed in the passage from Matthew today. Jesus is approached by two different groups. First, the family of Zebedee: James and John and their mother. Second, two blind men. Jesus asks both groups the same question “What do you want me to do for you?” What they request is quite revealing. And so is Jesus’ response to their requests. The Zebedees request position, status, reward for effort. The blind men request mercy, for their eyes to be open. Which request lines up with Jesus’ teaching previously? Which request do we tend to go to ourselves?
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