Narkis St. Congregation Lenten Sermon Series
February 22-April 25, 2020
After Peter has triumphantly proclaimed Jesus as God’s Messiah in the vicinity of Caesarea Philippi, Jesus dampers his disciple’s insight when he replies,
“The Son of Man must suffer many things
and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law,
and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.” Luke 9:22
And thus, begins Jesus’ final journey to Jerusalem
with his prophetic view of redemptive suffering.
As we enter the Lenten period this year, Narkis St. Congregation will reimagine Jesus’ important thoughts about his soon suffering, death, and resurrection in light of the Hebrew Scripture. We will examine some of the events leading up to Jesus’ Passion week in Jerusalem and reflect on the purpose of his suffering. The aftermath of his resurrection with the first steps of the early church will conclude our series on “Jesus the Suffering Messiah.”
February 22: God’s Suffering Messiah, Randall Buth (LISTEN)
““But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “God’s Messiah.” Jesus strictly warned them not to tell this to anyone. And he said, "The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.”" Luke 9:20-22
February 29: Jesus’ Transfiguration, Aaron Eime (LISTEN)
"Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. They spoke about his exodus, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem.” Luke 9:30
March 7: “Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets”, Halvor Ronning (LISTEN)
“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you,
how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.” Luke 13:34
March 14: The Suffering Servant in Isaiah, Niek Arentsen (LISTEN)
“He was despised and rejected by people, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised,and we held him in low esteem.” Isaiah 53:3
March 21: The Parable of the Vineyard and the Rejected Son, Brian (Baruch) Kvasnica (LISTEN)
“‘This is the heir,’ they said. ‘Let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ So they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him…‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.’” Lk 20:14-15,17
March 28: Jesus’ Last Passover, Danny Kopp (LISTEN)
“And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.” Lk 22:15
April 4: Jesus’ Unjust Death, David Pileggi (LISTEN)
“One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us! But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong...The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, "Surely, this was a righteous man.”" Luke 23:39-41,47
April 11: Jesus’ Resurrection, Claire Pfann (LISTEN)
“He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’” Then they remembered his words. Luke 24:6-7
April 18: Jesus’ Walk to Emmaus, Sharon Alley (LISTEN)
“How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.” Luke 24:25-27
April 25: Walking in the Steps of the Suffering Messiah, Gary Alley (LISTEN)
“But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Messiah suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.” 1 Peter 2:20b-21