Untitled Sermon

Palm Sunday

“I have an interesting case here,” he says. “A woman shot her husband for stepping on the floor she just mopped.”

12–15 The next day the huge crowd that had arrived for the Feast heard that Jesus was entering Jerusalem. They broke off palm branches and went out to meet him. And they cheered:

“Have you arrested her?” asks the sergeant.

Hosanna!

“No, not yet. The floor’s still wet.”

Blessed is he who comes in God’s name!

Yes! The King of Israel!

Jesus got a young donkey and rode it, just as the Scripture has it:

No fear, Daughter Zion:

See how your king comes,

riding a donkey’s colt.

16 The disciples didn’t notice the fulfillment of many Scriptures at the time, but after Jesus was glorified, they remembered that what was written about him matched what was done to him.

17–19 The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb, raising him from the dead, was there giving eyewitness accounts. It was because they had spread the word of this latest God-sign that the crowd swelled to a welcoming parade. The Pharisees took one look and threw up their hands: “It’s out of control. The world’s in a stampede after him.”

Lutheran Service Book Historic (One Year) Lectionary. (2009). Bellingham, WA: Concordia Publishing House.

Lutheran Service Book Historic (One Year) Lectionary Sunday of the Passion

Zechariah 9:9–12

9–10 “Shout and cheer, Daughter Zion!

Raise the roof, Daughter Jerusalem!

Your king is coming!

a good king who makes all things right,

a humble king riding a donkey,

a mere colt of a donkey.

I’ve had it with war—no more chariots in Ephraim,

no more war horses in Jerusalem,

no more swords and spears, bows and arrows.

He will offer peace to the nations,

a peaceful rule worldwide,

from the four winds to the seven seas.

11–13 “And you, because of my blood covenant with you,

I’ll release your prisoners from their hopeless cells.

Come home, hope-filled prisoners!

This very day I’m declaring a double bonus—

everything you lost returned twice-over!

Lutheran Service Book Historic (One Year) Lectionary Sunday of the Passion

Psalm 118:19–29

Swing wide the city gates—the righteous gates!

I’ll walk right through and thank GOD!

This Temple Gate belongs to GOD,

so the victors can enter and praise.

21–25 Thank you for responding to me;

you’ve truly become my salvation!

The stone the masons discarded as flawed

is now the capstone!

This is GOD’s work.

We rub our eyes—we can hardly believe it!

This is the very day GOD acted—

let’s celebrate and be festive!

Salvation now, GOD. Salvation now!

Oh yes, GOD—a free and full life!

26–29 Blessed are you who enter in GOD’s name—

from GOD’s house we bless you!

GOD is God,

he has bathed us in light.

Festoon the shrine with garlands,

hang colored banners above the altar!

You’re my God, and I thank you.

O my God, I lift high your praise.

Thank GOD—he’s so good.

His love never quits!