The function of Jesus - 3/28/2021
Call to worship:
L: O come, let us worship the One whom God has highly exalted -
P: Who, though being in the form of God, did not count deity a title to claim.
L: O come, let us worship the One whom God has highly exalted -
P: Who, though being in the form of God, did not count humanity a form to despise.
L: O come let us worship the One whom God has highly exalted -
A: Let us worship the Lord in the name of Jesus and confess our faith in God.
Opening Hymn: All Glory, Laud, and Honor #280
Refrain:
All glory, laud, and honor,
to thee, Redeemer, King,
to whom the lips of children
made sweet hosannas ring.
1. Thou art the King of Israel,
thou David's royal Son,
who in the Lord's name comest,
the King and Blessed One. [Refrain]
2. The company of angels
are praising thee on high,
and we with all creation
in chorus make reply. [Refrain]
3. The people of the Hebrews
with palms before thee went;
our prayer and praise and anthems
before thee we present. [Refrain]
4. To thee, before thy passion,
they sang their hymns of praise;
to thee, now high exalted,
our melody we raise. [Refrain]
5. Thou didst accept their praises;
accept the prayers we bring,
who in all good delightest,
thou good and gracious King. [Refrain]
Opening Prayer:
O Lord, whose victory in Jerusalem culminated in agony on Golgotha, deliver us from the temptation to turn your very real passion into a pious parade. Remind us that your destination on that first Palm Sunday was not a festive coronation in the Holy City, but a final confirmation from God; that you spurned the offer of a royal crown to shoulder the shame of a criminal’s cross; that you were able to save others only because you did not seek to save yourself; and that, for us as for you, the cost of divine approval demands the devotion of our will to God’s.
Epistle Reading: Philippians 2: 5-11
5 Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,
6 who, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God
as something to be exploited,
7 but emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
being born in human likeness.
And being found in human form,
8 he humbled himself
and became obedient to the point of death—
even death on a cross.
9 Therefore God also highly exalted him
and gave him the name
that is above every name,
10 so that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bend,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue should confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Children's Sermon (link)
Hymn: Tell Me the Stories of Jesus #277
1. Tell me the stories of Jesus I love to hear;
things I would ask him to tell me if he were here:
scenes by the wayside, tales of the sea,
stories of Jesus, tell them to me.
2. First let me hear how the children stood round his knee,
and I shall fancy his blessing resting on me;
words full of kindness, deeds full of grace,
all in the lovelight of Jesus' face.
3. Into the city I'd follow the children's band,
waving a branch of the palm tree high in my hand;
one of his heralds, yes, I would sing
loudest hosannas, "Jesus is King!"
Prayer of Dedication:
O God, who in Jesus became a member of our family that we might become members of your family, your grace astounds and confounds us. We stand amazed at the cost of our redemption. You turned away from no one, yet all turned away from you. You came to the members of your own household, but they greeted you as a stranger. You came to the members of your own synagogue but they treated you as an alien. You came to the leaders of your own religion, but they dismissed you as a blasphemer. You came to the inner circle of your disciples, but they forsook you as a scapegoat.
Many of us have been tested, and so many have failed. We plead with you to remember us even when we are not worth remembering. And we pray that you will never stop loving us. Amen.
Gospel Reading: Mark 11: 1-11
When they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples 2 and said to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden; untie it and bring it. 3 If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.’” 4 They went away and found a colt tied near a door, outside in the street. As they were untying it, 5 some of the bystanders said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” 6 They told them what Jesus had said; and they allowed them to take it. 7 Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it; and he sat on it. 8 Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. 9 Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting,
“Hosanna!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
10 Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David!
Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
11 Then he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple; and when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.
Sermon Title: The function of Jesus (link)
During the last three years, Jesus has traveled from town to town, region to region, spreading the news of the Gospel, teaching, preaching, healing people of their diseases, and casting out demons from the bodies they had inhabited. He spoke kindly and rarely raised his voice, and he not only invited children to sit upon his knee, but he invited the people who were stuck in the margins of society to dine with him. His function was to educate people enough so that they would want to learn more.
But as we enter the passage that we read today in Mark, the function of Jesus has taken on a broader meaning and floats on a more intense note than before.
As I am talking, though, Schoolhouse Rock is going through my head…conjunction junction, what’s your function? Admit it, you sang it with me. It’s true that we are talking about Jesus’ function today, we are usually curious about our function, whether it is our Spiritual, Career, Family, Friend, or whatever function. I can’t count how many times I have thrown up my hands in total dismay wondering just what I am supposed to be doing here. First, however, let’s talk about Jesus and what he came to do.
The story of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem introduces the last part of Mark’s Gospel message and recounts Jesus’ final days in the city. And in this final section, Jesus’ characteristics change into a more authoritative teacher as he shifts from being a sower of the word to being the heir of the vineyard. The only act of “power” Jesus performs is one of cursing (the fig tree). This perhaps symbolizes the centrality of fear, testing, betrayal, and death in Jerusalem.
He also demonstrates his mastery over the temple, Scripture, and the practice of “proper” rituals. He is defined as the true heir; as opposed to the people currently in charge. As the passage opens, we hear about Jesus’ iconic ride into town upon the back of a young colt. His function at this point is to be known; to be recognized by the people, even though they did not have a clue as to what to do with him at that juncture. Not to mention the fact that they expected a conquering hero atop a big, white horse, so while they were happy to see Jesus, they were confused as to why he was riding an untrained colt.
As we celebrate today and then go through our roller coaster ride this week, let us remember not only the function of Jesus then, but also our function now. We are to take that baton and run with it to spread the Word of God through the Grace of Jesus the Christ with the Love and Guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Closing Hymn: Hosanna, Loud Hosanna #278
1. Hosanna, loud hosanna,
the little children sang;
through pillared court and temple
the lovely anthem rang.
To Jesus, who had blessed them
close folded to his breast,
the children sang their praises,
the simplest and the best.
2. From Olivet they followed
mid an exultant crowd,
the victor palm branch waving,
and chanting clear and loud.
The Lord of earth and heaven
rode on in lowly state,
nor scorned that little children
should on his bidding wait.
3. "Hosanna in the highest!"
that ancient song we sing,
for Christ is our Redeemer,
the Lord of heaven our King.
O may we ever praise him
with heart and life and voice,
and in his blissful presence
eternally rejoice!
