Our Lord's Memorial

In the Beginning
Audio MP3  

Nearly 2,000 years ago, Jesus of Nazareth came to Jerusalem with his little group of disciples. There, he presented himself to the nation of Israel as their king. During this last week of his earthly ministry, Jesus cleansed the temple of those who defiled it with business and debated the Jewish leaders seeking to discredit him. Jesus answered their trick questions with heavenly wisdom and asked them questions they could not answer.

He preached the gospel of the kingdom, healed those that came unto him and finally, cast off the nation of Israel as being unfaithful to the Law Covenant. He gave his final lessons, parables and commandments to his disciples and then was betrayed by one of his own disciples, given a mock trial by the Jewish leaders and put to death by the Roman authorities.

During this final week, Jesus proved himself to be the “perfect son” (Hebrews 5:9, J.B. Phillips) and by his faithfulness even unto the death of the cross, opened the way to salvation for his disciples, Israel and the Gentiles. Jesus demonstrated beyond the shadow of a doubt that he lived the principles of love, truth and righteousness which he taught to others. By his obedience unto death, he glorified God and in turn, God raised him from the dead. 

This issue focuses on our Lord’s final week, his teachings and interactions with others, and finally, his faithfulness in facing his trial and crucifixion. It begins with Finishing the Work which describes the final days of Jesus’ earthly ministry. The Kingdom Taken Away from You reviews the three parables Jesus gave showing that the spiritual phase of the kingdom of God would be taken away from the nation of Israel.

Five Questions for a King focuses on the questions the Jewish leaders asked Jesus trying to discredit him in the eyes of the people and how Jesus answered those questions. He Loved Them Unto the End considers the lessons Jesus gave to his disciples on the final evening of his earthly life as he sought to prepare them for his death and their ministry of the Gospel after his resurrection.  

Our Relationships is a verse-by-verse study of John 15 that reveals the counsel Jesus gave regarding our relationship to him, our heavenly Father, our brethren, and the world. Despised and Rejected of Men describes Jesus’ faithfulness during his trial and crucifixion. 

This issue closes with Risen from the Dead which focuses on Jesus’ resurrection.  

As we prepare our hearts and minds for the memorial of Jesus’ death, let us seek to both study and emulate the example of obedience that he established for us.