Sermon – Page 22 – Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo Church Sunday School Department

“My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation” (Psalm 13:5)

A human nature that embraces the redemption of God and exchanges this love relishes internal peace and sin has no control over it. Live and experience the Resurrection in the life of the living Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at heart. The Resurrection of Christ is thus a new aspect in the lives of humans fulfilled by Christ in the fullness of time so that the prophecies would come true “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)

The Power of Resurrection

The rising of Lord and Savior Jesus Christ from the dead is the mark of the salvation of human race. His resurrection means that we believe in His love, sacrifice and redemption to ‎humanity. He rose from the dead by Himself without ‎anybody raising Him. But Christ Himself rose by Himself because He had ‎the power of resurrection in Him and it was not possible for death to capture Him because ‎He had the life in Him. (John 1:4)

The Suffering and Death of Lord Jesus Christ

As we contemplate Lord and Savior Jesus Christ’s Passion, we have a tendency to overemphasize the physical suffering and sacrifice Jesus Christ experience because it is material, tangible and easy to understand. He was spat upon, cursed at, whipped, beaten, humiliated, scourged and finally crucified. But overemphasizing the physical suffering leads to undervaluing the enormous spiritual suffering He experienced during those last days.

Holy Passion Week

Passion Week is celebrated in Holy Church in the observation of the sufferings of the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; it is the week is the week of praises. The path of Lord Jesus’ suffering started since His birth. The prophet Isaiah said, “a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.” (Isaiah 53:3) Lord Jesus was born in a manger because Saint Joseph the righteous and the Holy Virgin Mary were unable to find room on their way to the registration of Census. (Luke 2: 7)

Palm Sunday

Orthodox Christians around the world begin Passion Week with Hosanna; Palm Sunday. In the Gospel of Saint John Lord and Savior Jesus Christ exultant Entrance into ancient Jerusalem is in scripted as, ‘The next day the great crowd that had come for the Feast of Passover heard that Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet Him, shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord! Blessed is the King of Israel!” Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it, as it is written, “Do not be afraid, O Daughter of Zion; see, your King is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.” (Saint John 12:12-15)

“God tests the hearts and minds” (Psalm 7:9)

No one has the ability of examining the heart, read the thought and see the secrets of the soul except God. This attribute is part of His inestimable knowledge and He alone is Infinite. The Holy Bible confirmed that this quality belongs to only God

Nicodemus the Righteous, “A secret disciple of Christ”

Nicodemus was a Pharisee and ruler of the Jews during the Apostasy era, who learned Lord Jesus Christ sermons. This man was a teacher himself but knew that our Lord’s Holy words were the only powerful and true. He use to go Him in the night hour to hear His words seeking to avoid others spotting speaking to Him. He also craved to escape the world of darkness since he saw the light of salvation and life in Christ. Our kind and caring Lord Jesus did not reject but received him with Heavenly instructions. He talked to Nicodemus in a way that encouraged Him to ask questions.

Commemorating the Crucifixion of Lord Jesus Christ

The Redeemer Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was crucified on April 5 to whom is praised in amongst all Christians for He gave His life for our salvation. He suffered much to cleanse our soul and sacrificed himself upon the cross willingly for saving mankind.

The Faithful Servant

The story in scripted in the Matthew’s Gospel is exemplary. A man travelling into a far country who called his own servants and delivered to them his goods. To one servant he gave five talents, to another, two and to the last, one talent according to their ability and straightway went away on his journey. Then the servant who had received the five talents went, traded and made other five talents. Likewise the one who had received two also gained other two. But the servant who had received one went, dogged in the earth and hid his lord’s money.

Hosanna

Our Lord Jesus Christ came into Jerusalem amid “Hosanna,” on March 31 in order for each of the prophets in his time had prophesied concerning Him shall be fulfilled.