Sermon for the Feast of Palm Sunday

Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father and from
our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Satan opened the door wide
to the abyss, the man and woman sinned, and the world went dark.

Their eyes were opened, they were ashamed, and when God asked, “Where are you?” there came the answer: “I was afraid… I was naked… I hid.” They tried to cover their shame with leaves, but only God could provide the lasting cover they would need. Blood was shed, the sacrifice was made, and the LORD God clothed them with garments of skins (Genesis 3).

“Let this blood be on us
and on our children!”

From that time forward, the devil, the world, the sinful
flesh reigned, and slavery ensued. But God sent His deliverer Moses into Egypt with
this Word: Kill the lamb, take shelter under its blood, and when death comes,
it will pass over. And so the darkness came, the firstborn died, and death passed
over those who were covered by the blood of the lamb (Exodus 12).

“Let this blood be on us
and on our children!”

Through the water of the Red Sea, and up to the mountain of
the Lord, God gathered His people to Himself. His Word was spoken, a sacrifice
was made, and the people answered, “All that the LORD has spoken we will do.” The
blood of the sacrifice was sprinkled over them, and as they stood in the
presence of God and ate and drank, He did not lay His hand on them (Exo 24:11).

“Let this blood be on us
and on our children!”

From that point forward there
was communion with God – community upheld – the union of God and people
reconciled in peace. There was the Holy space, the Holy rituals, the Holy times
– God locating Himself among His people, providing the feast. The sacrifices continued.
As the blood went out from the altar, and all that was desecrated was atoned
for. All that was unclean was purified. All who took their places at the feast
were made holy in communion with God who said, “I will walk among you and will
be your God, and you shall be my people” (Leviticus 26:12).

“Let this blood be on us
and on our children!”

Then Advent came – and Christmas
– and incarnation as God Himself came to us in flesh and blood, “humbling
Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Phi
2:8). The hour had come for the Son of Man to be glorified (John 12:23), and the
Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world made His triumphal entry to the
cries of “Hosanna,” only to be rejected by the cries of, “Crucify Him –

Let His blood be on us
and on our children!” (Mat 27:22-25).

The flogging ripped and
gouged, the nails were driven deep. His side was pierced, and the blood and
water flowed (John 19:34) freely from His side for the life of the world. For
without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins (Heb 9:22).

“Let His blood be on us
and on our children!”

And finally we come to
these Last Days: “Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead,
and the ruler of the kings on earth has freed us from our sins by His blood”
(Rev 1:5). “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the
Lamb!” “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?” “These
are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes
and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (Rev 7:13-14).

“Let His blood be on us
and on our children!”

They shall hunger no
more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching
heat. For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and He
will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear
from their eyes” (Rev 7:15-17).

“Let His blood be on us and on our children.”

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

Preached by Pastor Holowach

Sermon Text: Matthew 27:11-66 .