Concordia Sermon Podcast

When we begin to drift, it can chain us to empty tombs. We get caught in life’s currents, stray from loving God and others, and miss Easter’s victory. In a distracting world, we get stuck and lose track of the gratitude we should have for others. Our sense of duty fades as we drift away. Jesus’ resurrection breaks all chains. Jesus honored us by giving everything, including His life, for us. His empty tomb calls us to lives of honor… praising God and respecting others. It brings our duty into focus and unsticks us to live faithfully.

What we dream for our relationships is often not how they turn out. When a relationship falls apart, what gives us the best chance at making things better? Jesus answers, “A tender heart.” Hurt creates hard hearts. But Jesus invites us to choose tenderness rather than hardness.

When Jesus dies, it is not just him who feels forsaken by God. His disciples feel forsaken by God, too. But on Easter, Jesus’ cry of forsakenness melts aways in the reality of his resurrection.

The question Jesus asks his disciples on Palm Sunday is a question that will be a question the disciples get asked: “Why are you doing this” (Mark 11:3)? We have all asked this question of others, especially our kids when they are getting ready to get themselves into trouble. But we also ask it of God: “God, why are you doing this? Why are you taking whatever-my-colt-is from me?” And God’s answer is the same as Jesus’: “Because the Lord needs it.” Sometimes what is taken from us is used for us – for our blessing and benefit.