Two thousand years ago on the first Easter Sunday, Mary Magdalene returned to the garden tomb in which our Lord was laid and found it empty. Struck with concern for her Master’s body, she rushed away and returned with Peter and John, who confirmed that his body was indeed gone. While they returned to their homes, Mary lingered in the garden, weeping—for she did not understand what this all truly meant (Jn. 20).

Mary loved Jesus. When most others had fled, she stood at the cross alongside his mother and John, suffering with Him. And here again, she refuses to leave Him—or at least where she thought He should be. As she cried, a man approached, whom she presumed was the gardener. He asked why she was weeping, and she responded with interrogation, asking where he moved Jesus to.  And it was at this moment, when Jesus the Gardener simply replied, “Mary,” that her eyes were opened. 

Here was her resurrected Lord and friend, no longer dead but alive, calling her by name. She replied with joy, exclaiming, “Rabonai, Teacher!” While she did not understand what was happening, her patient love and devotion to Christ, though mixed with grief, allowed her to see and believe. With that one word—her name spoken by Christ—her whole world was turned upside down. The tears she had sown in that garden quickly reaped a harvest, and Mary received her reward. 

In this, Mary is a picture of Christ’s bride, the Church. And Mary is an image of you this morning—if you hear His voice. Christ knows your sin and weakness. He knows your fears and grief. He knows that you are often slow to understand all that He is doing. And as the Good Shepherd He comes near in comfort, calls you by name, in order that you would recognize His voice (Jn. 10). 

So this Easter Sunday, remember that His resurrection is not merely a historical fact. It is personal. If you have died with Him, if your sins have gone into the grave—you too now share in His resurrection. So hear and believe this Good News, that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and in your believing may you have eternal life (Jn. 20:31).

Shawn Paterson – March 31, 2024

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In Matthew’s Gospel, as Jesus entered Jerusalem on the donkey, we read that “all the city was moved, saying, ‘Who is this?’ So the multitudes said, ‘This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee’” (Mt. 21:10–11). 

The multitudes here are the people who recognized the Messiah riding in like a king, and cried out, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” (21:9). These were those who knew the Scriptures, who could clearly see the prophecies coming true, and were worked up into jubilant praise, sharing their joy with the whole city. 

What is this all about? Who is this? It’s Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of David, they gladly answer. This question itself brings to mind another Scripture, for it is an echo of the great question of Psalm 24, “Who is this king of glory?” 

Our Lord’s entrance into Jerusalem was obviously a one-time historical event in God’s plan of salvation, but there is a lesson here for us to learn. As Christ’s works are seen by the world, we must be ready and eager to praise Him and point others to Him. When His reign is manifested in our midst, it is our duty as His witnesses to declare what is taking place, what all the commotion is about. As we seek to live quiet and peaceable lives, others should see our faithfulness, and our city ought to be moved, causing questions. And it should be our joy to answer them. 

When Christ saves sinners — behold, the King of glory! 

When the Lord’s Day is honored — behold, the Lord strong and mighty!

When children are raised in the nurture and admonition of the Lord  — behold, the Lord of hosts! 

So this morning, turn your attention in worship to your King of glory. He once road into his City on a lowly colt, and He has promised to come again on a white horse. But until that glorious Day, recognize the thousands of different ways in which He comes with blessing and mercy to you, your families, and this community. And call upon all people, saying, “Lift up your heads, O you gates… and the King of glory shall come in” (Ps. 24).

Shawn Paterson – March 24, 2024

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Today is Palm Sunday. On this day the church has traditionally celebrated and remembered Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem on a donkey before his crucifixion.

It is the Passover season, the highest of the feasts, and Jerusalem is stuffed with pilgrims. Jesus acquires a donkey, as the prophecy foretold, and enters as the Returning King. A populace welcomes him joyously, crying “Hosanna”–begging for deliverance. These are the poor and downtrodden, and they honor him with whatever they have at hand: palms cut from nearby trees, the clothes off their very backs. And this King is magnanimous enough to receive their humble adulations.

And then, as the Great High Priest, he goes to inspect the house of God, but it is leprous and must be cleansed. Imagine the scene. Imagine the commotion and noise. Imagine the authority pouring off Jesus. No one stopped him. No one interfered. Here is power and majesty. Here is one fit to sit on David’s throne.

And then he turns and heals the blind and the lame and receives the praises of children. He has no patience with sham religiosity, with the hypocrisy of the temple leaders, but he gives himself to the week and despised and small.

This is comfort and it is warning. For the fig tree that bears leaves but no fruit, there is strong warning. Matthew Henry puts it this way, “If Christ came now into many parts of his visible church, how many secret evils he would discover and cleanse! And how many things daily practised under the cloak of religion, would he show to be more suitable to a den of thieves than to a house of prayer!”

But to the contrite and lowly, to those who would call God their Father, He is abundant in mercy. He comes as conquering King, but this King, so great and mighty, has come not to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Joshua Edgren – March 24, 2024

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Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 22:6

Parents, this exhortation is aimed at you.

The foundation for childrearing is a firm reliance on God’s covenant promises. This is no different from anything else you do. Christ is the foundation. The answer is not to work harder and then hope to God for the results. No, first trust God for the results and then work hard. Your faith in God’s promises is what drives you to work hard. 

Faith is what teaches you that on a Thursday evening when you are worn out from the week. Those minutes you spend patiently admonishing your son will have generational impact. As RC Sproul would say, “right now counts for eternity.” God promises you results for your faithfulness today. Belief in this promise should fuel every minute of training with your kids. 

So, what is the practical application of this? Parents, never miss an opportunity for training. When your 3-year-old has a bad attitude. Your response should be joy because God has given you a training opportunity. Thank Him for it and get to work. Your kids will sin, they will sin a lot, and that is no time to panic. When your kids sin while you are right there to correct them, you should thank God, and correct them in joyful obedience. 

This principle applies the same when your kids sin or misbehave in public. Don’t turn a blind eye and hope no one noticed. No – God has once again given you an opportunity. He planned this situation. And so, do you trust Him? Then stop whatever you are doing, stop the conversation, get up from the table, and go correct your child. Do not let the fear of man, what we call embarrassment, keep you from your responsibilities. 

But the embarrassment should remind you to prepare your kids better next time. If they’ve never been in that situation before, think about what temptations they will have. And then talk about it and practice ahead of time. For example, your first grade son will be playing capture the flag with his class at school. Talk to him about how he plays with girls. Tackling the enemy may be a great move to win the game, but that is not how you treat a lady.

Zach Browning – March 24, 2024

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