Why do they call it 'Spy Wednesday?' Perhaps we can use it to sneak up and slay some of our persistent sins. Join me for a look at Matthew 26 and Judas' betrayal of Jesus, as well as some of the ways we are - knowingly or unknowingly - causing grief to the heart of our Savior. Without a recognition of our complicit guilt, it is impossible to appreciate God's offer of imputed grace through Jesus.
Also: how hip-hop, as well as classical music, can be well suited to help us face our 'junk.'
Music today: John Sanders, 'The Reproaches' and Beautiful Eulogy, 'Messiah' Sanders mixes 15th century plainsong, 20th century harmony, and devastating words. https://youtu.be/scc7Lq7RE-o
Devotional - April 8, 2020
The Lyrics:
O my people, what have I done to you? How have I offended you? Answer me! I led you out of Egypt, from slavery to freedom, but you led your Saviour to the cross. O my people, what have I done to you? How have I offended you? Answer me!
Holy is God! Holy and strong! Holy immortal One, have mercy on us.
For forty years I led you safely through the desert. I fed you with manna from heaven, and brought you to a land of plenty; but you led your Saviour to the cross.
Holy is God! Holy and strong! Holy immortal One, have mercy on us.
What more could I have done for you? I planted you as my fairest vine, but you yielded only bitterness: when I was thirsty you gave me vinegar to drink, and you pierced your Saviour's side with a lance.
Holy is God! Holy and strong! Holy immortal One, have mercy on us.
I opened the sea before you, but you opened my side with a spear. I led you on your way in a pillar of cloud, but you led me to Pilate's court.
O my people, what have I done to you? How have I offended you? Answer me!
I bore you up with manna in the desert, but you struck me down and scourged me. I gave you saving water from the rock, but you gave me gall and vinegar to drink.
O my people, what have I done to you? How have I offended you? Answer me!
I gave you a royal sceptre, but you gave me a crown of thorns. I raised you to the height of majesty, but you have raised me high on a cross.
O my people, what have I done to you? How have I offended you? Answer me!
Finally, I found a clean version of Kendrick Lamar's 'Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst.' Like Sanders, this is over 10 minutes long, but I also find this to be incredibly powerful: https://youtu.be/1dxuG02iYTc
Monday of Holy Week, 2020: What annoys Jesus is far more significant than what annoys me, thankfully! Join me for 8 minutes with Mark 11:15-19, Jesus' cleansing of the temple. How was it viewed? Why is it so important? Music for today: 'Christe Eleison' (Christ have mercy) from JS Bach, B Minor Mass https://youtu.be/g1kdc2ZbM3U
This Palm Sunday, Pastor Scott continued his Lenten Series on the "I Am" Statements of Jesus with a sermon titled, '‘I Am the Resurrection and the Life’'.
Series: The ‘I Am’ Statements of Jesus ‘I Am the Resurrection and the Life’
Click the following links to download and print at home:
How does a 'middle-age' white presbyterian make friends with a group of black teenage girls? A shared appreciation for Fred Hammond, of course! 3 minutes with Romans 8:26-27, and how sometimes the best prayers (and songs!) are when you get past the words. Today's song: 'You are the Living Word', Fred Hammond Let's go to church!
