9.3 We Glory In the Cross of Jesus Christ

(Galatians 6:11-18)

See what big letters I make as I write to you now with my own hand! The people who are trying to force you to be circumcised are the ones who want to show off and boast about external matters. They do it, however, only so that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. Even those who practice circumcision do not obey the Law; they want you to be circumcised so that they can boast that you submitted to this physical ceremony. As for me, however, I will boast only about the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ; for by means of his cross the world is dead to me, and I am dead to the world. It does not matter at all whether or not one is circumcised; what does matter is being a new creature. As for those who follow this rule in their lives, may peace and mercy be with them- with them and with all God’s people!

To conclude: let no one give me any more trouble, because the scars I have on my body show that I am the slave of Jesus.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all, my brothers. Amen.

9.2 He Who Was God Became Man And Died On The Cross For Us

(Philippians 2:1-11)

Your life in Christ makes you strong, and his love comforts you. You have fellowship with the Spirit, and you have kindness and compassion for one another. I urge you, then, to make me completely happy by having the same thoughts, sharing the same love, and being one in soul and mind. Don’t do anything from selfish ambition or from a cheap desire to boast, but be humble toward one another, always considering others better than yourselves. And look out for one another’s interests, not just for your own. The attitude you should have is the one that Christ Jesus had:

He always had the nature of God,
but he sis not think that by force
be should try to become equal with God.
Instead of this, of his own free will he gave up
all he had,
and took the nature of a servant.
He became like man and appeared in human likeness.
He was humble and walked the path of obedience
all the way to death- his death on the cross.
For this reason God raised him to the highest place above
and gave him the name that is greater than any other name.
And so, in honor of the name of Jesus
all beings in heaven, on earth, and in the world below
will fall on their knees,
and all will openly proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

9.1 Jesus Dies On The Cross For Us

(Mark 15:16-27)

The soldier took Jesus inside to the courtyard of the governor’s palace and called together the rest of the company. They put a purple robe on Jesus, made a crown of thorny branches, and put it on his head. Then they begun to salute him: “Long live the King of the Jews!” They beat him over the head with a stick, spat on him, fell on their knees, and bowed down to him. When they had finished making fun to him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes back on him. Then they led him out to crucify him.

On the way they met a man named Simon, who was coming into the city from the country, and the soldiers forced him to carry Jesus’ cross. (Simon was from Cyrene and was the father of Alexander and Rufus.) They took Jesus to a place called Golgotha, which means “The Place of the Skull.” There they tried to give him wine mixed with a drug called myrrh, but Jesus would not drink it. Then they crucified him and divided his clothes among themselves, throwing dice to see who would get which piece of clothing. It was nine o’clock in the morning when they crucified him. The notice of the accusation against him said: “They King of the Jews.” They also crucified two bandits with Jesus, one on his right and other on his left.

8.4 Turn Away From Evil and Do Good

(Psalm 37:1-20)

Don’t be worried on account of the wicked;
don’t be jealous of those who do wrong.
They will soon disappear like grass that dries up;
they will die like plants that wither.

Trust in the LORD and do good;
live in the land and be safe.
Seek your happiness in the LORD,
and he will give you your heart’s desire.

Give yourself to the LORD;
trust in him, and he will help you;
he will make your righteousness
shine like the noonday sun.

Be patient and wait for the LORD to act;
don’t be worried about those who prosper
or those who succeed in their evil plans.

Don’t give in to worry or anger;
it only leads to trouble.
Those who trust in the LORD will possess the land,
but the wicked will be driven out.

Soon the wicked will disappear;
you may look for them,
but you won’t find them;
but the humble will possess the land
and enjoy prosperity and peace.

The wicked man plots against the good man
and glares at him with hate.
But the LORD laughs at wicked men,
because he knows they will soon be destroyed.

The wicked draw their swords and bend their bows
to kill the poor man and needy,
to slaughter those who do what is right;
but they will be killed by their own swords,
and their bows will be smashed.

The little that a good man owns is worth
more than the wealth of all the wicked,
because the LORD will take away the strength
of the wicked,
but protect those who are good.

The LORD takes care of those who obey him,
and the land will be theirs forever.
They will not suffer when times are bad;
they will have enough in time of famine.
But the wicked will die;
the enemies of the LORD will vanish
like wild flowers;
they will disappear like smoke.

8.3 Lord, We Ask You For Mercy

(Daniel 9:15-19)

“O Lord our God, you showed your power by bringing your people out of Egypt, and your power is still remembered. We have sinned; we have done wrong. You have defended us in the past, so do not be angry with Jerusalem any longer. It is your city, your sacred hill. All the people in the neighboring countries look down on Jerusalem and on your people because of our sins and the evil our ancestors did. O God, hear my prayer and pleading. Restore your Temple, which has been destroyed; restore it so that everyone will know that you are God. Listen to us, O God; look at us and see the trouble we are in and the suffering of the city that bears your name. We are praying to you because you are merciful, not because we have done right. Lord, hear us. Lord, forgive us. Lord, listen to us, and act! In order that everyone will know that you are God, do not delay! This city and these people are yours.”