Sermons for the Season of Lent
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 »
If you had been here John 11:1-44 Both Martha and Mary say the same thing to Jesus when he arrives in Bethany a few days after their brother’s death: “Lord if you had been here my brother would not have died.” Their response is a natural human one in the face of tragedy and heartache. Perhaps …
A Sermon for the 5th Sunday in Lent (29/03/20): If you had been here Read More »
Since we are, for the moment, unable to meet together and listen to a sermon, here is a sermon for you to read. It is for the 4th Sunday in Lent and is based on the set Gospel reading. Please read the gospel passage before reading the sermon and feel free to comment. I hope …
A Sermon for the 4th Sunday in Lent (22/03/20): Sign and Judgement Read More »