March 17, 2024 —
As we approach Holy Week and prepare to watch Jesus’ suffering and death, the natural question to ask is “why?” This Sunday, God’s Word answers that question. All of it, this fulfillment of God’s plan of salvation for us, gives glory to God.
Throughout the season of Lent, we’ve seen Jesus overcoming Satan as he focuses His attention on the cross to which He was heading. The battle gets ugly. Jesus’ death would not be pretty, but it would have blessed results. In this last Sunday before Palm Sunday, the triune God teaches us that God gets the glory as Jesus fights this battle for us. Even in death, Jesus draws all people to Himself.
The Gospel shows us a conversation between the Father and the Son about that cross and how it gives God glory. In the Old Testament Lesson, the Lord demonstrates that everything from the rescue of Israel to the salvation of the nations is all His doing. Even His creation of us is for His glory. The Epistle Lesson, our sermon text, shows us that because of Jesus’ victory in this battle, we receive blessings to the glory of God.