Sermons for the Season of Lent
The Sign of Cleansing the Temple John 2:13-22 John’s Gospel is a book of signs. In it there is a series of miraculous occurrences which disclose just who Jesus is. The first of these signs is the Changing of Water into Wine. The series leads through the Raising of Lazarus and of course culminates …
A Sermon for the Third Sunday in Lent (07/03/21): The Sign of Cleansing the Temple Read More »
Take up your Cross Mark 8:31-38 Jesus has taken his disciples away from Galilee, into gentile territory. He has led them away from the press of the crowds and the busyness of his mission. You might almost call it a retreat, a time to take stock and reflect. He ask his disciples two questions: First: Who do people say that …
A Sermon for the Second Sunday in Lent (28/02/21): Take Up Your Cross Read More »
God’s Hero in the Conflict between Good and Evil Mark 1:9-15 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptised by John in the Jordan. This is the beginning of the Gospel, the story that Mark has to tell. Up to this point what he has written has been prologue, introduction. The ministry …
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 »
The lectionary offers two gospel readings for the 6th Sunday in Lent. The first is the obvious one, the account of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the second is the Passion Narrative. So for Palm Sunday I have two connected sermons. The first, here, on the Triumphal Entry and the second, later, on Jesus’ trial. …
A Sermon for Palm Sunday (05/04/20): A Political Drama – Part 1 Read More »