Category: Holy Week

Harrowing of Hell, Resurrection, Death, Holy Saturday, Tomb, Entombment of Christ, John 19:38-42
Holy Week, Sermon

What Have You Laid In The Tomb? – A Holy Saturday Sermon On John 19:38-42

“They laid Jesus there,” in the tomb (John 19:42). At one level that’s a literal-historical statement of what happened next. At another level it’s about you and me. We’ve all come to the tomb. We’ve laid in the tomb our family and friends, loves, hopes, dreams, relationships, parts of our selves and our lives. I wonder, what have you laid in the tomb this Holy Week? This past year?  Continue reading What Have You Laid In The Tomb? – A Holy Saturday Sermon On John 19:38-42

Michael K. Marsh1 Comment
Palm Sunday, Entry into Jerusalem , Holy Week, Mark 11:1-11, Returning the Colt
Holy Week, Sermon

Returning The Colt – A Palm Sunday Sermon On Mark 11:1-11

Mark’s is the only gospel that says Jesus entered the temple, looked around, and left. So why did Jesus leave the temple and go to Bethany? The gospel tells us why. Jesus left the temple “as it was already late” (Mark 11:11). So that got me to wondering. What if this is about something more than just the time of day? What if Jesus is late getting somewhere or doing something? Continue reading Returning The Colt – A Palm Sunday Sermon On Mark 11:1-11

Michael K. Marsh2 Comments
Holy Week, Good Friday, Crucifixion, Suffering, Death, John 18:1-19:42, Jesus' Death on the Cross
Holy Week, Sermon

Good Friday? Really? – A Sermon on Suffering and Death

What is your story of suffering and loss? When was a time you thought your heart couldn’t break anymore than it already had? Who are the loved ones you’ve lost? What is the pain that never goes away? When has your world come to an end? When have you cried in the daytime, but had no answer from God, or by night as well but found no rest (Psalm 22:2)? What suffering do you bring today? Continue reading Good Friday? Really? – A Sermon on Suffering and Death

Michael K. Marsh10 Comments
Matthew 21:1-11. Zechariah 9:9-10, Jerusalem, Palm Sunday, Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, Power, Violence, Life
Holy Week, Sermon

Will to Power or Will to Life? – A Palm Sunday Sermon on Matthew 21:1-11

Have you ever thought of Jesus’ Palm Sunday procession as a protest march? What if that’s what it really is? What if it is a resistance movement? What if it is highlighting the struggle that takes place in every human heart – the will to power or the will to life? I’ve come to believe that that’s exactly what is happening today. Palm Sunday, Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, sets up a confrontation and it has the whole city in turmoil. Continue reading Will to Power or Will to Life? – A Palm Sunday Sermon on Matthew 21:1-11

Michael K. Marsh11 Comments
Death, Harrowing of Hell, Descent into Hell, Holy Saturday, Matthew 27:57-66, Job 14:1-14, Sermon, Resurrection
Holy Week, Sermon

Hell Yeah! – A Holy Saturday Sermon on Matthew 27:57-66 and Job 14:1-14

Job 14:1-14 Matthew 27:57-66 “If mortals die, will they live again?” (Job 14:14) That’s Job’s question. It’s a Holy Saturday kind of question. It’s a question all of us ask on the Holy Saturdays of our lives. Jesus was crucified, killed, yesterday. His body was placed in a tomb. A great stone was placed over the entrance. The woman sit opposite the tomb. They do … Continue reading Hell Yeah! – A Holy Saturday Sermon on Matthew 27:57-66 and Job 14:1-14

Michael K. Marsh10 Comments
Sermon, Palm Sunday, Holy Week, Triumphal Entry, Tears, Weeping, Luke 19:28-40, Luke 19:41-46
Holy Week, Sermon

The Tearful Entry into Holy Week – A Palm Sunday Sermon on Luke 19:28-46

The Palm/Entry Narrative – Luke 18:28-40 (41-46) The Passion Narrative – Luke 22:14-23:56 As we do every year we began this day by taking our place in the triumphal entry, singing our hosannas, and carrying our palms. The triumphal entry, palms, and hosannas have in many ways come to characterize this day and the beginning of Holy Week. That’s not, however, what I want to … Continue reading The Tearful Entry into Holy Week – A Palm Sunday Sermon on Luke 19:28-46

Michael K. Marsh10 Comments
Holy Week, Liturgical Feasts and Fasts, Sermon

Here is the Man – A Good Friday Sermon on John 18:1-19:42

“Here is the man.” (From the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to St. John 18:1-19:42) Pilate has spoken a truth beyond the words we hear and beyond the man we see. Who is this man? Who do you see? To whom is Pilate referring? Yes, it is Jesus of Nazareth. He’s wearing a crown of thorns and dressed in a purple robe. He’s … Continue reading Here is the Man – A Good Friday Sermon on John 18:1-19:42

Michael K. Marsh2 Comments
Flowering Cross, Good Friday, Crucifixion of Jesus, Easter, Tree of Life
Easter, Holy Week

Flowering of the Cross

One of the great Easter traditions is the flowering of the cross. People bring and place colorful fresh flowers on a drab wooden cross. What’s behind this? Is it just a pretty decoration? Well, it does look beautiful but there are also some beautiful traditions and meanings associated with the flowering of the cross. The sixth century hymn (#166) we sing on Good Friday celebrates … Continue reading Flowering of the Cross

Michael K. Marsh6 Comments