This week we continue our Ephesians series. Ephesians 4 comes back to the topic of Christian unity, and both a call and reminder that part of our call from Jesus is that others will know we follow him by the way we love one another. One way that love is expressed is working hard at staying united in Christ, and working through things that try to divide us.
It’s three days later. The Jewish sabbath is not over, and Jesus’ followers go to prepare his body for burial. What follows is a series of history altering events including an earthquake, angels, and even politically motivated bribes. But what if our focus on Jesus dying for me, misses the breadth, the depth, and the impact of what all went down that first Easter Sunday?
Jesus’ last time with his disciples reflects what has always been core to his ministry, and a picture of what was about to happen. Jesus is gracious, faithful, and the fulfillment of the Passover lamb that Jews faithfully celebrated year after year. And after many years, the wait is over, if they will see it.
On Palm Sunday the church marks this day where Jesus comes into Jerusalem with much joy, singing and fanfare. There are high hopes and expectations about who Jesus is and what it means. And yet, who Jesus really was, and what his central mission on earth is, were missed. We reflect today on Psalm 118 that recognizes that Jesus was the stone that others rejected, a foundation to faith that some passed on, or altogether rejected.