Commentary posted on March 30, 2020

Palm Sunday A Sermon Commentary

The Palm Sunday A Sermon Starters include commentary and illustration ideas for Matthew 26:14-27:66 from the Lectionary Gospel; Isaiah 50:4-9a from the Old Testament Lectionary; Psalm 31:9-16 from the Lectionary Psalms; and Matthew 21:1-11 from the Lectionary Epistle.

Related Reformed confession: Lectionary Gospel: Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 44 (Lord’s Day 16)

 

Home » March 30, 2020 - Palm Sunday A

Matthew 26:14-27:66 Sermon Commentary

Palm Sunday A

Some years back I heard what was reported to have been among the final gasping words of the famous singer Frank Sinatra. Sinatra’s signature song was “My Way” in which he crooned that when looking back on his life, although he had a few regrets, in the end “I did it my way.” But at…

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Psalm 31:9-16 Sermon Commentary

Palm Sunday A

Psalm 31:11 says “I am an object of dread to my neighbors; those who see me on the street flee from me.”  Talk about your social distancing . . .    But seriously, as I read Psalm 31—all of it and of course also the RCL selection of verses 9-16—it became clear that this is a…

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Matthew 21:1-11 Sermon Commentary

Palm Sunday A

Liturgy of the Palms “Who is this?”  Few questions are more important than this one Matthew reports the “whole city” of Jerusalem asks on the first Palm Sunday.  Yet the answer to that question is even more important.  The Holy Spirit inspires Matthew to answer, “This is Jesus.”  But just who is this Jesus? Matthew…

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Isaiah 50:4-9a Sermon Commentary

Palm Sunday A

This is going to be a disappointing Palm Sunday for any church that follows the RCL, because there isn’t much joy and celebration in the readings.  Psalm 31 is filled with suffering and Philippians 2 traces the downward movement of Christ’s kenosis, while the Gospel reading from Matthew 26 and 27 is the whole passion…

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