Our Father
Matthew 6:9-13
I would like to take you on the biblical journey of Holy Week through the lens of the Lord’s Prayer. We will be looking at each line of the prayer and discuss how Jesus fulfilled and manifested this reality.
Our Father which art in heaven
God the Father rules from heaven, but heaven is not a far removed place. It is so close that it can be seen through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. Jesus shows us the way God rules. Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey- a clear sign that he saw himself and was proclaiming himself to be the long awaited messiah prophesied in Zechariah 9. He then entered the temple and drove away the animals, making it impossible to perform sacrifices. He then condemned the whole religious system that turned “The House of Prayer for All Nations” into a “den of thieves.” Clearly this was a claim of authority over the religious/legal system.
Hallowed be Thy name/Make your name Holy
All of Jerusalem was shouting to make Jesus king- only to change their tune in less than a week’s time as they feverishly screamed, “Crucify Him!” Here we see that they were willing to use the name of God in vain. They were using God, and their whole religious/legal system to justify their own ambitions. Jesus made God’s name holy by not succumbing to the fallacy of using God to justify ungodly ambitions.
Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done
Jesus prays in the garden for the will of God to be done. In the life of Jesus the true intention God has for humanity stretches all the way back to Genesis is displayed. God created humanity to be his image bearers in the world, working to make the world fruitful– all while trusting and having communion with God, working with God. We are not as mindless servants, but we are created to be co-laborers in the world God has created. Jesus shows us how to submit and work with God according to his plan. In the life and death of Jesus we see what it means to trust in God. The fact that Jesus died as a rebel (according to the Roman Empire and the Religious Legal System of Jerusalem) tells us that faithfulness to God will look like rebellion to a world that is already rebelling against the will of the Father. Jesus shows us what it means to be the image of God in the world.
On earth as it is in heaven
Jesus shows how God rules by sacrificial love. Jesus washed feet. Jesus called out hypocrisy. Jesus spoke truth. Why? Because he was showing the world what the Kingdom of God is– the true reality that the world was and is still unable to see.
Give us today our daily bread
Jesus on the last day, broke break and gave it to his disciples. His last act of community was in sharing a meal. He gave them the holy meal that they were then compelled to go out and share with the rest of the world. Even today, the disciples of Jesus share this bread with one another as a remembrance and an enactment of the provision of God.
Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors
Jesus hears the thief on the cross and promises him that he will be with him in paradise- displaying to the world around him that God has a forgiving and giving disposition. He looks upon the crowds gawking at his suffering body on the cross with compassion. As they cheered for his execution, Jesus prayed, “Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do.”
Lead us not into temptation
Jesus prays in the garden that this cup would pass him by- praying that God would make there be another way to redeem the world. The temptation of Adam and Eve (in another garden) was still present– the desire to do things our own way– Do things according to my will. But Jesus prays that God’s will be done. Jesus faced the ultimate temptation and yet came out from this time as faithful to the will of God.
Deliver us from the evil one
Jesus gave his life as a ransom for many; delivering all who place faith in him from the evil one. Jesus has delivered us from the evil one. May the Spirit lead us in this victory over death and Satan.
Announcements:
Stations of the Cross Art and Devotional Journey is this week (Holy Week) M-Sat, 4-7 each day
Community Good Friday Service- Friday April 3 at 6pm
Breakfast on Easter Morning provided by CBC Men- meal will be at 9:30 that morning.
Easter Worship Service- 11am
We will have many visitors; great someone you don’t know and welcome them
Easter Egg Hunt- 12:30pm
We will be announcing this to the community; we are not sure how many will attend.
Church Weekly Schedule
Sunday worship at 11am
Sunday School at 9:45am
I am teaching through the Gospel According to Matthew
Youth/Children’s Group! Daniel and Emily Mendez are heading up the Youth Group Bible Study at 9:45
Wednesday Prayer Posse 12pm
Grief Share meets each Sunday from 3-4:30
Trail Life each Sunday from 2-3pm
Pastor Steven’s Office Hours 8-4 Mon-Thursday
I have an open sign (if it is on, I am here)
If I am not in the office at these times, I am meeting with someone
Call or text me 972-921-2516
Email steven@kodiakcbc.org