Today’s passage might be right up there with John 3:16 and Psalm 23 as recognized and quoted scriptures, even by those who would not claim Christianity as their own. But as we know with Scripture, we cannot take only one isolated verse or section of verses and dismiss the rest of the context.

I have been of a Protestant tradition of one kind or another for my whole life. What this means in terms of fasting is that I have not had any regularity or liturgical significance for this. But that does not excuse me from this vital spiritual discipline. Fasting is not optional.

Abraham’s story is told time and again in sermons and illustrations. But often overlooked is the life of Sarah. Sarah’s life mimics that of our own. When we peel back the layers of her story, we see a woman who endured hardships, struggled with her flesh, and was extended grace in her humanity. Ultimately, she was used in a powerful and miraculous way by God to birth a nation.

This message explores the story of Palm Sunday through the lens of a mirror and challenges us not to assume we are "good soil." It invites us to hold up a mirror as we examine the four characters of the familiar Palm Sunday passage and see where we find ourselves.

Jesus clarifies both the law and the practice of divorce. He addresses the misplaced allegiance & displaced loyalty of his audience, redirecting their focus from the law to creation’s intent. He peels back the veil of obligatory obedience to black-and-white laws to emphasis loyalty. And Jesus pushes us to see people as sacred, to see people as image bearers not objects for our discard. 

And then Jesus reminds the people that they are a people of covenant, which is a sacred agreement between them and God himself.

He starts this reminder with:“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt should lose its taste, how can it be made salty? It’s no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭13‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Jesus often spoke in picture illustrations so that his audience would relate. He captured the ordinary and turned it divine. By likening himself to bread, he communicated that we need him to live, that he alone satisfies. By likening himself to a shepherd, a common profession in the time and region of Jesus, he communicated that he will lay down his life for us and protect us from enemies.