The Radical Response to the Resurrection Acts 2:42-47 The task which Luke gives himself in writing the Acts of the Apostles is to show us what happens when the message of the resurrection is preached. On Easter morning and the days that follow, one after another Jesus’ friends have discovered that he is not dead but […]
In the season of Easter one of the set readings on each Sunday is taken from the Acts of the Apostles. Each of these readings recalls the Apostles’ preaching of the resurrection. The reading set for the Third Sunday of Easter is the end of Peter’s sermon on the day of Pentecost. This sermon reflects
A Sermon for the Third Sunday of Easter (26/04/20): This Jesus Whom We Crucified Read More »
Believing Thomas John 20:19-31 The first Easter day ends with the disciples gathered together. They are back in their usual meeting place. They are with one another in the house where just three nights ago they had shared a final meal with Jesus. So much has happened since then. Fear had scattered them and has
A Sermon for the Second Sunday of Easter (19/04/20): Believing Thomas Read More »
Christ is risen: He is risen indeed, Alleluia! He Is Not Here, He is Risen Matthew 28:1-10 Before the sun is even properly up, Easter morning begins. It begins in journey from a still sleeping city, resting after the excitement and terror of the past week. It begins in a journey to a quiet place
A Sermon for Easter Day (12/04/20): He is not here, He is risen Read More »
Why Can’t Jesus Come Down From The Cross Matthew 27:33-54 Jesus’ death is a puzzle to us. Even though we know Jesus dies. Even though we have been told, and try to tell ourselves, it was always part of the plan. Even though we know that in three day Jesus will rise again, that it turns out alright
A Sermon for Good Friday (10/04/20): Why Can’t Jesus Come Down from the Cross? Read More »
When We Can’t Take and Eat and Drink Matthew 26:26-30 Jesus says to his gathered disciples as he offers them bread: “Take, eat, this is my body.” And as he hands them the cup of wine he says: “Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant which is poured
A Sermon for Maundy Thursday (09/04/20): When We Can’t Take and Eat and Drink Read More »
The Son of Man and the Glory of God John 12:20-33 The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. This is the high-point of Jesus’ earthly ministry The moment when his popularity among the people was at its greatest. If there had been opinion polls in the 1st century,Jesus would have
A Sermon for Holy Week (3): The Son of Man and the Glory of God Read More »
The Fragrance of what Mary did John 12:1-8 The final stage of Jesus’ journey starts here . Between the days of frantic activity Jesus rests in Bethany, the place called House of affliction. There are now just six days until the Passover. Which makes this Saturday night. The day of sanctified rest, the Sabbath, has come to an
A Sermon for Holy Week (2): The Fragrance of What Mary Did Read More »
Arguably, this could be another sermon for Palm Sunday, since the events it reflects upon take place at the end of that day. Nonetheless, since it plays such a decisive role in the death of Jesus, the Cleansing of the Temple is the first of the events that we might typically think about about during
A Sermon for Holy Week (1): Jesus Makes a Space for Worship Read More »
The second of my Palm Sunday sermons picks up the theme of the second gospel reading for the day, Matthew 27:11-26. It also makes quite extensive reference to other parts of the Holy Week narrative. So you might also like to look at: Matthew 21:12-17, 26:47-68 A Political Drama – Part 2 Matthew 27:11-26 The
A Sermon for Palm Sunday (05/04/20): A Political Drama – Part 2 Read More »