MALAGASY LUTHERAN CHURCH
Communion’s prayer, Easter I and II
Week from 02 to 07 April 2018
“Easter, the Lamb of God is exalted”
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Introduction: “Easter, the Lamb of God is exalted.” It was God’s plan to send His Son Jesus to earth, according to John the Baptist’s words of revelation: “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” Jn 1:29. Jesus really took on Himself the death of the whole world, the death resulting from sin (1Co.15:56), and gave his life in ransom for us sinners. In obedience to his Father He accepted, as the son of God to endure the most bitter sufferings and tortures, as He said in the prayer He pronounced in Gethsemane: “Abba, Father, everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will” Mk 14:36. Indeed, it is written: “He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth” Is.53:7. But his suffering was not in vain, for it brought about the fulfillment of the Scripture: “When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people (Ps.68:18)” Eph.4:8. The gift that He offered us was His Body and Blood as the price of our redemption from the curse of sin, as explained by Peter in his letter: “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect” 1 Pe.18-19. Certainly
Jesus was exalted on the cross in order to fulfill God’s plan: “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him”. Therefore, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life” Jn 3:36.
Monday 02: The Lamb of God is exalted.
“See, my servant will act wisely; he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted” Is.52:13
Reading 1: Jn.17:1-5. Reading 2: Is.52: 13-15. Preaching 1 (option). Preaching 2: Is.52: 13. Other references:
– “The LORD says to my lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet” Ps.110:1.
– “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” Phil.2: 9-11.
Thuesday 03: The promise of exaltation.
“I will redeem them from death” Hos.13:14b.
Reading 1: Lk.24:17-24. Reading 2: Ho.13:14. Preaching 1(option). Preaching 2: Ho.13:14. Other references:
– “But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead” Ps.49:15.
– “The LORD says to my lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet” Ps.110:1.
Wednesday 04: Jesus has risen.
“He is not here; he has risen, just as he said” Mt.28:6a.
Reading 1: 1 Th.4:13-18. Reading 2: Mt.28:1-8. Preaching 1(option). Preaching 2: Mt.28:6. Other references:
– “Three days later he will rise” Mk.10:34.
– “Because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay” Ps.16:10.
Thursday 05: Christ is Lord over all power in heaven and on earth.
“And God placed all things under his feet” Eph.1:22a.
Reading 1: Mt.28:18-20. Reading 2: Eph.1:15-23. Preaching 1 (option). Preaching 2: Eph.1:22-23. Other references:
– “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” Mt.28:18.
– “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth” Phil.2:10.
Friday 06: Jesus’s resurrection, a hope of blessing.
“Set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming” 1 Pet.1:13b.
Reading 1: Jn.1:14-18. Reading 2: 1 Pe.1:17-23. Preaching 1 (option). Preaching 2: 1 Pe.1:13. Other references:
– “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ,
who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory” Col.3:2-4.
– “But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. All who have this hope in him purify
themselves, just as he is pure” 1 Jn.3:2-3.
Saturday 07: Every knee will bow before Jesus.
“They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him” Mt.28:9b.
Reading 1: Phil.2:5-11. Reading 2: Mt.28:9-15. Preaching 1 (option). Preaching 2: Mt.28:9. Other references:
– “On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh” Mt.2:11.
– “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” Re.5:12.
Note: This pericope is published in Malagasy, French, English and German and can be seen on the site www.hifi-madanet.org and on Facebook “HiFi – english “ © Madanet