“From Palms to Passion” Luke 22-23 Palm Sunday April ‘25

 

1.                  Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Heavenly Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. The message from God’s Word as we begin Holy Week on this Palm Sunday is taken from Luke 22-23 and is entitled, “From Palms to Passion,” dear brothers and sisters in Chris.t

2.                  Today we are brought to the threshold of Holy Week. We have heard of our Lord’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem in the midst of the chants of hosanna and the waving of festival palm branches. We have heard the old and yet ever-new story of the Lamb who goes uncomplaining to the cross of Calvary and his atoning death there.

3.                  The readings this Sunday give us an opportunity to pause and reflect on the question as to how we best meditate on the suffering and death of the Savior. Martin Luther observed on how to meditate on Christ’s passion, “Some people meditate on Christ’s passion by venting their anger on the Jews. This singing and ranting about wretched Judas satisfies them, for they are in the habit of complaining about other people, of condemning and reproaching their adversaries. That might well be a meditation on the wickedness of Judas and the Jews, but not on the sufferings of Christ” (AE 42:7). Luther goes on to remind us that we rightly meditate on Christ’s Passion by recognizing that our sins crucified Jesus, and yet, through this murderous treatment of God’s Son, the world is reconciled to God so that in his blood we have peace (Luke 22–23). We best meditate on the Passion and death of Christ when we lay hold of it all as his work for us. Jesus’ commitment to fulfill His mission to the cross was for your salvation.

4.                  In today’s readings from Luke 22-23 we see that Jesus is for you in his betrayal and denial (Luke 22:21–71). Jesus was betrayed by a friend, Judas. His friend even handed him over to his enemies with a kiss. Judas showed outward allegiance to Christ, but inwardly he was dominated by a heart of darkness that set itself against his Lord. Jesus was also denied by a disciple, Peter. Peter had confessed Jesus to be the Christ, an insight given by the Father in Mt 16:13–17. But now under pressure, he denies knowing Jesus at all.

5.                  How is it with you? What about your betrayals and denials? A terrifying thought (2 Tim 2:12b)! But a better question: “How is it with Jesus?” How is Jesus with you? St. Paul writes in 2 Tim 2:11–13, “The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us;
if we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself.”  Jesus remains faithful for you! He endured this for you!

6.                  Jesus is for you in his mockery and trial (Luke 23:1–25). The Lord of Glory, the Creator of heaven and earth, submits himself to cruel and crass treatment at the hands of those who not know his majesty. He is the Prophet as Moses foretold in Deut 18:15–18. He is Christ, the King, and yet he is treated with contempt. He could show Herod! He has the power to call down fire from heaven to consume these jokesters, but Jesus says nothing.

7.                  The Judge of all the earth is judged! Pilate recognizes Jesus’ innocence. But Pilate finally relents and hands Jesus over to the will of the people. And for you? When do you give in to pressure and influences of this sinful world and set Jesus aside? But you can realize what Pilate didn’t—that in Jesus’ condemnation, God’s will and work to declare you “Not guilty!” is being carried out. That beautiful promise comes straight from Romans 8:1: "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." What a powerful reminder of the freedom, forgiveness, and grace we have through our Savior. Because of His death and resurrection, we are no longer under judgment—we are redeemed, restored, and secure in Him.

8.                  Jesus is for you in his death and burial (Luke 23:26–56). Jesus prays for Judas and Peter, for Pilate and Herod, for the mob and the soldiers and the chief priests. Surely some of them repented and received that forgiveness (Luke 23:47). Think especially of how that prayer must have touched the thief on the cross who was hanging with Jesus (Luke 23:39–43). From the cross the thief said to Jesus, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:42-43) This passage is such a beautiful picture of grace in its purest form—undeserved, unearned, and freely given by our crucified and risen Savior. The repentant thief had nothing to offer but a simple request rooted in faith… and Jesus answered with a promise of eternal life.

9.                  But Jesus prayed not only for those. He prays for you. You are included: Father, forgive them—you! Jesus asks the Father to forgive your betrayals, denials, and compromise of convictions. And Jesus’ death is the very answer to his prayer. By his death, all your sins are forgiven!

10.               Jesus is for you in your death. None who die with Christ die alone. The repentant thief is the model for the dying Christian. Jesus’ dying prayer was from Ps 31:5—Luther’s “bedtime” (and rising) prayer—is your dying prayer. Psalm 31:5 says, “Into your hand I commit my spirit;
you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God." This verse is a powerful prayer of trust and surrender to God. It’s also the very verse Jesus echoed on the cross (Luke 23:46), showing His full confidence in the Father even in the moment of death. It's a comforting reminder for us, too—no matter what we face, we can entrust our lives, our spirit, and our future to our faithful and redeeming God.

11.               Jesus’ sabbath rest in the tomb gives you the confidence that you will also rise to live with him forever. By his rest in the tomb, Jesus has sanctified the grave to be a seedbed of hope. Because of Jesus’ death and burial, the Christian can joyfully sing, “Teach me to live that I may dread The grave as little as my bed. Teach me to die that so I may Rise glorious at the awe-full day” (LSB 883:3). A wise Christian once said that we should go to the Lord’s Supper as though we are going to our death, so that when we come to our death, we may go as though we are going to the Lord’s Supper.

12.               We follow along the way of the cross this week not as spectators but as those for whom our Lord’s Passion was to be our Savior, that we might have the forgiveness of our sins and life with him forever. This week we will ponder all that our Lord has done for us, making the prayer of the hymn our own: “Graciously my faith renew; Help me bear my crosses, Learning humbleness from You, Peace mid pain and losses. May I give You love for love! Hear me, O my Savior, That I may in heav’n above Sing your praise forever” (LSB 440:6). Amen. Now the peace of God that passes all understanding, guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, until life everlasting. Amen.