Beyond the Weekend: Road to Resurrection
The Passion of Jesus defines the events leading up to Easter and is the biggest holiday season celebrated by Christians around the world. The milestones of this season include Jesus’ Triumphal Entry, Good Friday, and Easter. But why do the events of Jesus’ Passion matter? Do they even have significance in our lives today?
In this 3-week series ROAD TO RESURRECTION leading up to Easter, Sr. Pastor Aaron Buer will teach about the biblical and cultural significance of the events of Jesus’ Passion and share the impact of Jesus’ sacrifice for our eternity.
Week 1: Matthew 21:1-11
Week 2: Matthew 27:45-53
Week 3: Luke 24:13-35
Jesus as Victor
TODAY'S SCRIPTURE
As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, 'If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes.’” Luke 19:41-42
Read: Luke 19:41-44 Listen: Luke 19
TODAY'S MESSAGE
Jesus weeps over Jerusalem and its people as he rides down the Mount of Olives. He knows that while they desire peace from oppression, they want nothing to do with the spiritual peace he offers. They want victory over Rome, but he came to bring victory over sin and death for all people. The victory Jesus offers takes us back to the first pages of the Bible and God’s plan to bring blessing to all people through a descendant of Abraham (see Genesis 12:1-3). As Jesus views the city, he knows it will be just a few decades before Roman generals will level it. The destruction happens in 70 AD and the result is disastrous and painful.
We can also fail to see the victory Jesus has for us. It feels less like winning and more like overcoming. Jesus describes it this way, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24). We respond to his victory by doing what he did—serving and sacrificing for others. Servanthood and sacrifice are the way of Jesus, the way of victory.
TODAY: Worship God for the victory we have through Jesus by joining the Ada Bible Church Worship Team in “Singing in the Victory.” Use the lyrics to remind you of the victory Jesus has achieved, “I’m singing in the victory, the victory of the cross. . . I’m standing on the promise, the promise of new life.”
JESUS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
Read Hosea 3-4. Highlight anything that points to Jesus. Note the reference to a king like David.
Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.
