2016 Christmas Worship Guide

“And when He entered Jerusalem the whole city was stirred up saying, ‘Who is this?’”
By Pastor Mark Thompson, Zion Lutheran Church, Lincoln

“And when He entered Jerusalem the whole city was stirred up saying,
‘Who is this?’”
- Matthew 21:10

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[December 16, 2016]  Anyone encountering Jesus eventually asks the question, “Who is this?”

When Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday the crowd of people with Him laid cloaks and palm branches on the ground before Him. Those people who went before Jesus and followed after Him shouted, “Hosanna (a Hebrew word meaning save us now), hosanna in the highest.”

When Jesus entered Jerusalem the whole city was in a state of agitation.

The appearing of the ‘King of the Jews’ may bring salvation, or it may bring the wrath of Rome upon the people.

This was not the first time that Jesus brought a state of agitation to the city of Jerusalem. After His birth a caravan of star-gazers and sign readers, ‘Wise Men,’ appeared from the East looking for the newborn King of the Jews (Matthew 2:2-3). A challenge to Herod, the sitting king, could mean freedom from that paranoid tyrant or it could mean death to many.

Holy Scripture tells us that all Jerusalem became anxious and distressed.

Who is this newborn king?

At other times and in other places the name of Jesus caused commotion. Shepherds heard the announcement of the birth of God’s Savior. Angels proclaimed to them that Christ, the Lord, had been born that very day.

Hustling through Bethlehem, knocking on doors looking for a newborn baby boy certainly must have stirred up that small town. (Luke 2:15-18) In fact, this time the people of Bethlehem marveled, wondered in their minds and conversation at what was said by the shepherds concerning this child.

When confronted by Jesus, be He in a manger, riding on a donkey, or nailed to a cross, every person is confronted with the question, “Who is this?”

Is Jesus, for you, an excuse to have a celebration, the “reason for the season” if you will. When confronted with Jesus do you see Him as merely a means to the ends you have in your mind? Do you see in Jesus a better year, a better life, a cosmic fountain of wealth and earthly blessing? Do you consider that you just might have to die for Him?

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Does Jesus bring you a troubled mind? Who is this? Do you battle Him a bit afraid that Jesus might just be exactly who He says He is; God in the flesh. When you meet Him are you a bit agitated, a bit concerned and troubled in your mind, even distressed?

It is Christmas and that is much more than baby Jesus birthday. Come look upon Jesus through the words of the Bible and see Him. Come and see that Jesus is God in the flesh, look and see that He has come to you.

Jesus has come to save the world and repair our relationship with God the Father. He has come to make peace. Those who do not understand Him are, indeed, agitated when they meet him.

Those who know Him, marvel at and admire Him. Indeed, they worship Him. He is Jesus, the Savior sent by the Father.

It is Christmas and indeed we cry out when seeing the infant in the manger:

“Save us, save us now!
Save us, Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!
Save us, O Lord of heaven, our King!”

 

Read all the articles in our new
2016 Christmas Worship Guide

Title
CLICK ON TITLES TO GO TO PAGES
Page
What would you expect in a Messiah Savior? 4
Finding the good stuff at Christmas 6
Where resides the Christmas spirit 8
A wordLESS Christmas 11
Christmas - God's reminder of miracles and hope! 13
God's Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven 16
"And when he entered Jerusalem the whole city was stirred up saying, "Who is he?" 19
Jesus, the gift of God Incarnate 21
Our 'Worship Guide' 23
Ugly Christmas Sweater 24
A Father's love for his children; a Father's love for you through His Son 26
"Expectations!" 28
Church Worship Schedules 30

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