Palm-Passion Sunday A
Palm-Passion Sunday A
Very savvy political operatives, these religious leaders, for they knew all about working the crowd. Grabbing Jesus up without properly preparing the crowd risked a spontaneous uproar from the crowd, an undesirable consequence in the eyes of Caiaphas, the elders, and the chief priests. Later, these religious leaders, having had the opportunity to work the crowd, led the crowd in shouting, “Crucify him!” (Mt. 27:22-23). The cross of Jesus Christ exposes the raw reality of combining religious authority with political authority. The Passion Story (Mt. 26:1-27:66) depicts three venues of judgment against Jesus: before the Sanhedrin, before Herod, and before Pilate. The court of judgment convened by the religious authority could not issue a death sentence (Jn. 19:31). Those elders and chief priests then sought out a venue of judgment that could levy a death sentence. And so, with the endorsement of the crowd, Pilate handed Jesus over to be crucified (Mt. 27:26). Those religious leaders, savvy political operatives that they were, had their way with Jesus, silencing him by hanging him on the cross.
Prayers from one whose old sinner always looks to combine religious authority with political power…
Father in heaven, the authority of your creative Word brings new life to sinners dead in their sin. Grant that in this newness of life, I do not resort to the use of political power rather than trust your Word’s authority. Amen
Father in heaven, the authority of your creative Word brings new life to sinners dead in their sin. Grant that in this newness of life, I live in the freedom of freedom itself and not again succumb to the misuse of power. Amen
Father in heaven, the authority of your creative Word brings new life to sinners dead in their sin. As I live out of the new freedom given in Jesus Christ, grant that the assurance of my salvation is a comfort to me. Amen
Father in heaven, the authority of your creative Word brings new life to sinners dead in their sin. As I am comforted by the assurance of my salvation, turn me toward fulfilling my callings and my vocations without their duties being burdensome to me. Amen
Father in heaven, the authority of your creative Word brings new life to sinners dead in their sin. As I fulfill the various duties of my vocations, hold me in the faith of Jesus Christ so that I receive my righteousness from him and not the work of my hands. Amen
Father in heaven, the authority of your creative Word brings new life to sinners dead in their sin. Hold the Institute of Lutheran Theology constant in the teaching and preaching of this word. Amen
Father in heaven, the authority of your creative Word brings new life to sinners dead in their sin. During these days of my baptism, as I await the revelation of your Son in glory, continue to use your creative Word upon me that I would receive new life out of my sinner’s death. Amen
Heavenly Father, as I raise my voice in complaint against your hiddenness give my complaint its answer in your Word handed over at the pulpit, the font, and the altar. Amen
Heavenly Father, when I question your presence amidst my afflictions, give me such faith to apprehend the truth of Jesus’ declaration, “Lo, I am with you always.” Amen
Heavenly Father, when my faith falters in the face of my God’s hiddenness, keep me in the company of saints so that the faith we share will bear me up and bring me back before the pulpit, font, and alter. Amen
Heavenly Father, open my ears that I would hear your Word and trust that your Holy Spirit works faith in me… faith in Jesus Christ as the divine yet invisible and incomprehensible reality present to me beyond my senses and reason. Amen
Heavenly Father, hold the Institute of Lutheran Theology to the preaching and teaching of Jesus Christ as the presence of this divine, invisible, and incomprehensible reality. Amen
Heavenly Father, in these the days of my baptism, grant me the daily renewal of your mercies as day by day I take up your Word and it brings me to stand beneath its authority. Amen