The Gospel reading for Holy Monday, the Monday of Holy Week, is John 12:1-43. This is a long Gospel reading, but it take us through the events leading up to Jesus entrance into Jerusalem to His sermons once He entered. The key verse that helps summarize His preaching during this time is, "This voice has come for your sake, not mine. ³¹ Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. ³² And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” ³³ He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die" (John 12:31-33).

This verse guides us to understand that Jesus was always preaching how He would ransom fallen man from sin, death, world, and the devil. He did not enter Jerusalem and go to Herod and dethrone him. Jesus didn't go to Pilate's headquarters and kicked the Romans out. Jesus entered Jerusalem and preached the same thing He always preached, "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, ¹⁵ that whoever believes in him may have eternal life" (John 3:14-15). Jesus came in order that He may be lifted up on the cross to die for the sins of the whole world. Jesus took on our flesh in order to justify us and sanctify us. Dr. Martin Chemnitz spoke of this saying, "This is the most comforting and salutary exchange, that the Son of God has received from us a human nature and sanctified and blessed and exalted and glorified it in His own person." Jesus assumed out human nature in order that He may justify it and sanctify it. He assumed all our depravity in order that He could ransom us from all that condemns us. There is no sin left over to caste us into hell. Jesus has taken all our sin and died in our stead on the cross. Jesus preached this message to all in Jerusalem and He continues to preach this Gospel truth to us today.

Peace be with you this Holy Monday. Meditate on John 12:1-43 today, Isaiah 50:5-10; and 1 Peter 2:21-24 for your meditation today. Remember always that Jesus is your champion who entered Jerusalem, not to sake a temporal lord, but to overcome all the tyrants that claim your eternal body and soul.

Peace be with you. May the devil be silenced, the world be hushed, the Old Adam drowned anew, so that you hear only the voice of your Savior Jesus who says, "Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you," Amen.

Jesus' Sheepdog,

Pastor Hull