John C Bennett PMM 440

Sermon Series February 7, 2005

Holy Week Sermon Series
The Faithful Lamb of God Who Bears Our Sin

When Adam and Eve fell into sin in the Garden of Eden, the fate of mankind was sealed. No
longer perfect in the sight of God, man was now in need of salvation from sin, death, and the
devil. Thus, “when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a
woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive
the adoption as sons.” (Galatians 4:4-5) As we enter into this Holy Week, our focus is placed
on the Passover Lamb, who is faithful to the promise of the Triune God to redeem mankind,
who is the substitution for our sins, who redeems us because of His undying love for His
creation.

Palm Sunday
The Lamb of God Goes Up To Jerusalem – Isaiah 50:4-9)
On this day which is filled with shouts of glad “Hosanna’s” we see Christ, not upon a mighty
steed as a victorious king, but upon a beast of burden, for He faithfully approaches Jerusalem
to accomplish the salvation of mankind by placing upon Himself the burden of our sin.

Maundy Thursday
The Passover Lamb Who Feeds Us – Exodus 12:1-14
Our Lord Jesus Christ, who journeys to Jerusalem to be crucified, also journeys to Jerusalem
to celebrate the Passover. As it was with that first Passover, it is with the Passover of our
Lord: the flesh of the Passover Lamb is sacrificed and His blood covers us, that eternal death
might pass over us, that His body and blood given to us in His Holy meal would grant that
which the sacrifice of His body and blood accomplishes: forgiveness of sins and the gift of
eternal life.

Good Friday
The Lamb of God Who Bears the Iniquity of Us All – Isaiah 52:13-53:12
The One who days before was praised by the multitudes is now mocked, scorned, and
crucified by the very people whom He came to save. There He is “stricken, Smitten by God,
and afflicted.” There “the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” Here we see our
Passover Lamb, sacrificed for our sin, bearing the burden of our guilt, bleeding and dying
that we might be saved

Easter Vigil/Easter Sunrise

The Lamb of God Who Breaks the Seal of the Tomb – Matthew 27:57-66
On that first Good Friday, it seemed as if all hope had been lost. The hopes had been
shattered for those who believed in Jesus as the Messiah. The apostles are left as orphaned
children, void of direction and purpose. Yet no sealed tomb could hold Him, for even as the
chief priests and Pharisees feared, it has come true, “After three days I will rise.”

Easter Day
The Resurrected Lamb of God In Whom We Rejoice – Matthew 28:1-10
On this blessed day, the Incarnation of our Lord has come full circle: He has remained
faithful unto death on Calvary’s cross, He has paid the debt of sin, and now He has defeated
Satan and the power of death by destroying them through His resurrection. Thus we are able
to proclaim as Christ declared to His disciples when He appeared to them after His
resurrection, “Rejoice!”