[The audio for this sermon can be found here.]
Matthew 21:1-11; 27:11-26
Last Sunday we begin to take a turn in a slightly different direction in our sermons as we are preparing for Holy week. And we talked about the story of the golden calf, and about God’s mercy and justice in response to that sin, and then specifically this idea of generational sin — sin that gets inherited, in a sense or passed down, because it’s in our family or environment — it’s just around us, and we may not even realize it.
Sometimes we’re perpetuating it, it’s sin that we’re committing and we’re caught up in, but other times it’s sin that’s been perpetrated against us, and we’re the victim of it. So we’re wounded, and there needs to be awareness, first of all. Because if it isn’t acknowledged, then it can’t be healed, and there can’t be reconciliation in our relationships.
But in the story this morning for Palm Sunday, a different kind of sin is highlighted. It isn’t so much generational sin, and it isn’t necessarily even just individual sin — though it certainly includes those two. What we see in the Palm Sunday episode, and then in the passage I read a moment ago, which takes place only a few days later, is the showcasing of what I think we can just call social sin.
Recent Comments
Deb
"Thank you for this important critique of JHY's theology of the cross lived ..."
ReaderV
"There is no doubt abortion is tragic . I don't believe anyone ever ..."
Sandra
"Wow!!! I love this guy! Peacemaking is so dear to my ..."
Bill Walker
"Glad you appreciated it, Jennifer. Thanks for commenting. The encouragement is gratefully received! ..."
Jennifer
"Thank you for referencing Jesus as a Rabbi! I can't believe how ..."