Like most of you, I am grieving the inability to worship together in person—even more acutely during this season leading up to Easter. Waving palms together on Palm Sunday, singing with the choir on Good Friday, and celebrating the Resurrection on Sunday morning with the room packed to standing-room only are some of the sweetest moments of the church year. Given this unusual situation we find ourselves in, I am especially thankful for the great hymns of the faith that will walk us through the events of Christ’s passion. As you follow along in your home this morning, you’ll find hymns like Lift Up Your Heads Ye Mighty Gates and All Glory, Laud And Honor, which remind us of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. The beloved Man Of Sorrows! What A Name tells us of His death upon the cross on Good Friday. Martin Luther’s text Christ Jesus Lay In Death’s Strong Bands points to His victory over death, and Crown Him With Many Crowns celebrates Him as the Lamb seated on His throne in Heaven. Though our congregation is separated, take heart that the King that entered the city on a donkey to cries of “Hosanna” is the very same King that enters the portals of our hearts this morning. —Henry C. Haffner
Key Words: Confess, Believe, Saved, Justified, Everyone, Preach, Sent
Keystone Verse: Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the Word of Christ (Romans 10:17)
Romans 10:9-17
9 … If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in Him will not be put to shame.”12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing His riches on all who call on Him. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
14 How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in Him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.