Holy Week

Palm Sunday, April 14 – Divine Service @ 9:30 am
On Palm Sunday, we see Jesus as the fulfillment of Psalm 118. In this Psalm we are taught to sing the Song of Moses from Exodus chapter 15. With united voices we sing, “Yahweh is my Strength and my Song; He has become my Salvation” (v. 14). Jesus is the incarnate Psalm 118. He is the One who shall not die, but live (v. 17). He is the stone that the builders rejected (v. 22). On Palm Sunday, we sing the words of Psalm 118 singing, “Hosanna, save us please! Blessed is He who comes in the name of Yahweh” (vv. 25 and 26).

Maundy Thursday, April 18 – Divine Service @ 7 pm
On Maundy Thursday, we see Jesus as the fulfillment of Psalm 69. In this Psalm we learn zeal for the house of God consumed Jesus (v. 9). He came to cleanse the Temple. Yet, He became a stranger to His own brothers (v. 8). Those who hated Him without cause were more in number than the hairs on His head (v. 4). Therefore, Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane saying, “But as for Me, my prayer is to You…” (v. 13). This is the night in which our Savior was betrayed by Judas whose camp, that is, his office as an apostle became desolate (v. 25). Then on the cross they gave Jesus sour wine to drink (v. 21). Jesus is the incarnate Psalm 69.

Good Friday, April 19 – Tenebrae Service @ 7 pm
On Good Friday, we see Jesus as the fulfillment of Psalm 22. From the cross, Jesus cries out with the words of this Psalm saying, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?” (v. 1). In response, the mockers at the foot of the cross cry out saying, “He trusts in Yahweh; let Yahweh deliver Him if Yahweh delights in Him” (v. 8). Like animals, they circled around Jesus (vv. 12, 13, and 16). Jesus was poured out like water with His bones out of Joint and His tongue stuck to His jaws (vv. 14 and 15). They pierced His hands and His feet (v. 16). They divide His garments and cast lots for His clothing (v. 18). Jesus is the incarnate Psalm 22.

Easter Sunday, April 21 – Divine Service @ 9:30 am
On Easter Sunday, we see Jesus as the fulfillment of Psalm 16. We rejoice in Christ’s victory over death and the grave. Although David wrote this Psalm, he still lies in a tomb. Jesus, on the other hand, is the True David. His tomb is empty. Jesus is the Holy One. He was not abandoned to Sheol and He did not see corruption (v. 10). Jesus is the incarnate Psalm 16. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! Jesus is our Strength, our Song, and our Savior.