Tom Fisher - On Maunday

 

Tom Fisher
to me

Dear Pastor Jackson,

Maunday Thursday is a precious day for me to ponder.  It is the night when my Savior was betrayed to bear all my sins in His body on the tree of the cross.

"Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls  I Peter 2:24,25

Ponder the inestimable love of Christ for you a sinner. Ponder how He yearns to bear all your sins to deliver you from your sins, your death, hell, and Satan.

"But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!  Luke 12:50

Ponder the love Christ has for you a sinner on the very night He was betrayed.

"Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that His hour was come that He should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved His own which were in the world, He loved them unto the end." John 13:1

Ponder the words Jesus says to you on the night before He was betrayed:

26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.

27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;

28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

29 But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.

30 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives. Matthew 26:26-30

Here Jesus gives you His body in, with, and under the bread and His true blood in with and under the wine. Luther said that he was certain Christ gives us His natural physical body under the bread in a way we cannot comprehend.  So believe these clear words of Christ: "This is my body given for you. This is my blood of the new testament shed for you for the remission of sins.". Your faith does not care that these words are impossible. Faith rejects reasoning and holds on to these clear words of Christ. In contrast the Baptist, Calvinists, Methodists, Christian Reformed, Church of Christ, Menonites, Amish, Presbyterians, and other protestants cling to their reasoning and unbelief and reject the body and blood of Christ in Holy Communion.  By doing this they have fallen from grace and consistently reject the forgiveness of their sins in Holy Communion, The Office of the Keys, and Holy Baptism. They also reject the efficacy of the Word. They all trust in their own invented works and worthiness. 

Luther urges us to ponder that little word 'testament' in Holy Communion:

"That little word 'testament' is a short summary of all God's wonder and grace fulfilled in Christ." (Martin Luther, LW, vol. 35, pg. 84)

Luther urges us to examine our hearts as we go to Holy Communion:

"So in this matter, you must above all else take heed to your heart, that you believe the words of Christ, and admit their truth, when He says to you and to all, "This is my blood, a new testament by which I bequeath to you forgiveness of all sins and eternal life." (Martin Luther, LW, Vol. 35, pg. 88)

Holy Communion is Christ's last will and testament to us sinners, bequeathing to us forgiveness of all sins and eternal life. Hebrews 9 confirms that Christ is our testator:

 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;

12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:

14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.

17 For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. Hebrews 9:11-17

In contrast, the Calvinists, Baptist, Presbyterians, Church of Christ, Methodist, Christian Reformed and other protestants love the word ' covenant' and hate the word 'testament'.  They all trust the endeavors of their will power. A covenant requires the works and endeavors of the will. A testament rejects the endeavors of our will and clings to Christ alone.  All of the corrupt modern Bibles change Christ's last will and testament into an EMPTY Calvinist covenant.

As we prepare to receive Holy Communion on Maunday Thursday let us ponder what truly makes us worthy:

Who then, receives the Sacrament worthily? Answer:

Fasting and bodily preparation are indeed a fine outward training; but he is truly worthy and well prepared who has faith in these words, Given and shed for you for the remission sins. But he that does not believe these words, or doubts, is unworthy and unprepared; for the words "for you" require all hearts to believe. (Martin Luther's Small Catechism pamphlet, CPH, pg. 15)

Ponder the inestimable love Chist has for you as He willingly bears all your sin, death, and hell in the Garden of Gethsemane:

39 And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him.

40 And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.

41 And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,

42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.

43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.

44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. Luke 22:39-44

Ponder God your Heavenly Father's inestimable love for you when He laid all your sins on Jesus His only begotten Son:

 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.

9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.

10 Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.

11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. Isaiah 53:4-12

Christ is your good shepherd:

27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.

30 I and my Father are one. John 10:27-30

In Christ,

Tom Fisher

O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens. 2 Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.

 

8.1 O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.

2 Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.

3 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;

4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?

5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.

6 Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:

7 All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field;

8 The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.

9 O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!

Palm Sunday - March 29 - 2026

 

Bethany Lutheran Church

Worship, 9 and at 10  AM - Central Daylight

Pastor Gregory Jackson

The Hymn #160         All Glory, Laud             

The Confession of Sins
The Absolution

The Introit 

Be not Thou far from me, O Lord: O my Strength, haste Thee to help me.

Save me from the lion’s mouth: and deliver me from the horns of the unicorns.

Psalm. My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me? Why art Thou so far from helping Me?

The Gloria Patri
The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation                                       

The Collect 

Almighty and everlasting God, who hast sent Thy Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, to take upon Him our flesh and to suffer death upon the cross that all mankind should follow the example of His great humility, mercifully grant that we may both follow the example of His patience and also be made partakers of His resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.

The Epistle and Gradual 

Gradual

Thou hast holden me by my right hand: Thou shalt guide me with Thy counsel and afterward receive me to glory.

V. Truly, God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart: but as for me, my feet were almost gone, my steps had well-nigh slipped; for I was grieved at the ungodly.

Tract. My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?

V. Why art Thou so far from helping Me: and from the words of My roaring?

V. I am a worm and no man: a reproach of men and despised of the people.

V. Be not Thou far from Me, O Lord; O My Strength, haste Thee to help Me.

V. I will declare Thy name unto My brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise Thee. 

V. They shall come and shall declare His righteousness unto a people that shall be born: that He hath done this. 

The Gospel              

Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed p. 22

The Sermon Hymn # 292                 Lord Jesus Christ With Us Abide                

Light and Darkness

The Communion Hymn #339            All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name

The Preface p. 24
The Sanctus p. 26
The Lord's Prayer p. 27
The Words of Institution
The Agnus Dei p. 28
The Nunc Dimittis p. 29
The Benediction p. 31
The Hymn #341              Crown Him with Many Crowns                          

Prayers and Announcements

• In our prayers - John Popp, Dr. Kermit Way; Pastor James Shrader and Chris Shrader, Lito Cruz family.
• Easter Sunday Holy Communion. 9 or 10 AM.
• Thomas Stefan.

KJV Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

KJV Matthew 21:1 And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, 2 Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me. 3 And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them. 4 All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, 5 Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass. 6 And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them, 7 And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon. 8 And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way. 9 And the multitudes t hat went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.

Palm Sunday

Almighty and everlasting God, who hast caused Thy beloved Son to take our nature upon Himself, that He might give all mankind the example of humility and suffer death upon the cross for our sins: Mercifully grant us a believing knowledge of this, and that, following the example of His patience, we may be made partakers of the benefits of His sacred passion and death, through the same, Thy beloved Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen.

Light and Darkness

KJV Matthew 21:1 And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, 2 Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me. 

One of the advantages in the Fourth Gospel - among many - is to see how John gives us essential facts about His Passion. Decades ago I had a member say, "Where is this in John? Why haven't we been told?" Two essential points in John 11 and 12 show how frightened and angered the Jewish leaders were and the importance of Lazarus utterly dead, yet rising from death, joining Jesus, and being at the dinner.

John 11: 47 Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles.

48 If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.

49 And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all,

50 Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.

51 And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation;

52 And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.

53 Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.

+++

John 12:1	Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.
John 12:2	There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.
John 12:9	Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead. The royal entrance can be experienced from two perspectives. First is the reference to the Scriptures. Secondly, Jesus is not there to cause riots and boast political authority but to assert His divinity for the benefit of the people and the consternation of the authorities.

3 And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them. 4 All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, 5 Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass. Zechariah 9:9

This is a great battle, between the Messiah and the two enemy forces - the pagan Romans, whose empire was about to start caving in, and Israel, which was soon to be destroyed, only 40 years later. 

1. It was said that no one could defeat Jerusalem because of their position high up, its walls, and its abundance of water from beneath. 
2. The Temple of Jerusalem was the symbol of their literature, their worship, and their holiness. Circumvallation and panic turned glory into slavery.

For Jesus, it was a combination of expanding the Gospel but in the knowledge of the great sorrows to come, for the Savior most of all, but also for the disciples and the women, including His mother.

6 And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them, 7 And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon. 8 And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way.

People came out to meet Jesus and others followed Him from Bethany. People also wanted to see Lazarus, which was a combination of rising from the dead because of Jesus' Word, and proving the miracle for all to see. Lazarus was a wealthy person (note the very expensive grave) and therefore well known. People saw Lazarus and spread the rumor. KJV Romans 10:17 - "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."

8 And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way. 9 And the multitudes t hat went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.

The Son of David is a great honor, promised centuries before when God promised Abraham and Sarah a son, a miracle  - and promised descendants as great as all the stars in the sky and the sands along the sea. King David inherited this faith, even with so many of his blunders and sins. That Promise continued on to Jesus and all of us who believe in Him.

Psalm 37 - KJV

 

This is especially encouraging,
and goes well with Psalm 91.
Books to read for those who love Luther and the Reformation.

Psalm 37 Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.

2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.

3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.

4 Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

5 Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.

7 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.

9 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth.

10 For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.

11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

12 The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth.

13 The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.

14 The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation.

15 Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.

16 A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.

17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the Lord upholdeth the righteous.

18 The Lord knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever.

19 They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.

20 But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the Lord shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away.

21 The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth.

22 For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off.

23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.

24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.

25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.

26 He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.

27 Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.

28 For the Lord loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.

29 The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever.

30 The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.

31 The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.

32 The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him.

33 The Lord will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged.

34 Wait on the Lord, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.

35 I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree.

36 Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.

37 Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.

38 But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off.

39 But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord: he is their strength in the time of trouble.

40 And the Lord shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.

King James Version (KJV)