THE BLOOD THAT JESUS SHED FOR ME:Matt: 27

Pray:

“And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly. Now at the feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, called Barabbas. Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas or Jesus which is called the Christ? For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.

This morning-we celebrate the beginning of the Passion Week with this Holy Palm Sunday. As the church enters Holy Week, the faithful use palms to commemorate Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem a week before his crucifixion and the passion liturgically.

As Jesus enters the city on a donkey, people gathered an laid palm branches and their cloaks across Jesus’ path, shouting Hosanna to the Son of David. This is to say what the prophet Zechariah prophesied in 9: 9 “Rejoice greatly O daughter of Zion shout, O daughter of Jerusalem behold thy King cometh unto thee;he is just and having salvation; lowly and riding upon an ass and upon a colt the foal of an ass.”

The Blood that Jesus shed for me:

In a Homily by the great father of the church, St. John of Chrysostom left these words:

St John’s ---We are faced with the necessity of restoration and this morning’s divine word is being offered to remedy an awful situation. We look unto Jesus who alone can fix it. The divine WORD…found here in Matthew 27 is an effort to remedy a BAD SITUATION AND SET OUR FEET ON SOLID GROUND.

We must take into account what happened ----In the beginning -

as Adam and Eve brought shame upon humankind- handing it down to their son

Cain -who without remorse killed his brother-Abel and believed that there would be no repercussions --

Those repercussions have been felt around the world--

God knew—

I have got to send Jesus--

God knew-aren't you glad.

Now that the die has been cast-we’ve been reading these passages since we were children…thanks be to God

We know that Jesus is no known criminal-----He is Innocent

The abuse -the shame and disgrace—doesn’t make the story read any better.

Some leaders—today-- parents who allow their children to harbor weapons of destruction, teachers who fail to cover the whole truth—so help them God, have literally forgotten how far this shame spreads!

Leaders -without regard for religion -have taken the liberty of not wrestling with this thing called truth while all of society suffers.

By ignoring the Decalogue -better known as the Ten Commandments we have

ignored the divine instructions-allowing MAN had to enter into an endless course of wrongdoing…the people perish for lack of knowledge.

We are in.a whirlwind-a PROGRESSIVE DECAY FROM WHICH NONE COULD RESCUE HIM BUT THE ORIGINAL BESTOWER OF LIFE: Jesus Christ

For the time remaining -lets go to Jerusalem and remember with thanksgiving in our hearts the Savior, and celebrate His goodness....

Food for thought: LOOK AT THE PAIN AND SUFFERING OF A MAN-BORN TO DIE

that allowed his body to be nailed to a cross -hang three days in agony—that we might be free....free of sin. IN THE last hours-though

IT IS POSSIBLE ---IF WE DON’T PAY STRICT ATTENTION---we’ll miss the beauty of this moment.

It was in that moment of darkness---while yet still human---that the divine took control---And that moment I declare was for me:

Forgive them for they know not --------------------------------what they do:

If Jesus can forgive—two unknown criminals—offer them salvation and a place with him in GLORY---He’s got me for life.

Now I know we’ve read these passages since Sunday School over and over again, but no matter how many times I read---jesus died for my sins—i feel a fresh new anointing.---

Andre Crouch-

How can I say thanks for the things you have done for me-things so undeserved that you died to prove your love for me.

The voices of a million angels-CANNOT EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE-

all that I am and ever hope to Be....-i owe it all to thee. To God be the Glory

To God Be the Glory—To God Be the Glory for the things he has done. Amen

Amen

Words cannot express-

where tears have fallen-

The things we did —that only he alone knows, but forgives!

I have a little salvation story -if you’ve heard it before —humor me

It was my dear friend Carol who came to me with this heartfelt story -we were talking about how good God is and how merciful and kind he had been to each of us. She invited me in and opened her heart by saying-Judith years ago I was a heroin addict.

But the day the doctor told me that I was pregnant with my first child, I swore to God that I was quitting doing drugs and even went to church and had the deacons pray for me Now in my euphoric state-happy and tickled -I went down to my old hang out and spread my joy around -- I was approached by my dealer- he congratulated me and gave me a little packet of heroin as a parting gift.

The devil is real my friends—when he handed my friend that heroine she went into the lady’s room. She still had the paraphernalia in her purse-she pulled out the rubble tubing to tie her arm off-and as though a strong man was there beside her-he took that rubber tubing and threw it on the floor while he knocked her down-she tried to get up-but he slammed her against the door-this went on for about 2 hours. two hours in a busy bar with women coming in to use the restroom---she was alone. She began to get nauseous-she couldn’t move-the room was swimming around-when what appeared a very long time-she was so exhausted and stood up—she left that bathroom and went home-that was over 20 years ago when she told me....the moment she recalled that was significant is that when she called on Jesus—the room stopped spinning, her head stopped aching and she was able to get up-and walk out free.

Free by the shedding of His blood on Calvary-

No devil in hell could cause her to go back. Jesus stepped in -took her sins away

and now she’s in heaven being serenaded by angels and rejoicing with Jesus.

The blood that Jesus shed on Golgotha's Hill was for you and for me…the Carol’s of the world-who by the utterance of her lips—found the words that set her free. Romans 10:8 If you confess with your mouth and know in your heart that Jesus Christ is Lord, you will be saved.

Nobody but Jesus-

As we go to the communion table-be mindful of sin’s grip and the stronghold of the devil -but know —Jesus can fix it. Jesus can take that pain away and give you a fresh new start…I am reminded that in Him is salvation-no looking back…free.

For who the son sets free is free indeed. Amen

Simon of Cyrene was forced to bear his cross and together they carried the cross to a place called Golgotha. Simon of Cyrene was an African who literally was pressed into service to assist Jesus in carrying the cross along the Via Dolorsa.

I believe it is of utmost importance to know the truth-to be able to put the pieces of this ancient story that those in search of knowledge —will find it .

This passion week-as we celebrate Jesus —our Lord and Savior- the one who suffered and died—rejoice and be glad...

lets live life according to His Word, and

Join me at the Communion table in thanksgiving for all that he has done for you. Amen