goodshepherdkc North Oak sermons Good Shepherd

Jesus' final days are difficult to hear, but it teaches us a theme of Jesus' life. We cannot experience the beauty of new life without the sacrifice of the cross. All the promises of the gospel are true, but in order for that to happen, we all have to sacrifice first. We never get to the beauty of new life without the sacrifice of the cross.

Jesus' final days are difficult to hear, but it teaches us a theme of Jesus' life. We cannot experience the beauty of new life without the sacrifice of the cross. All the promises of the gospel are true, but in order for that to happen, we all have to sacrifice first. We never get to the beauty of new life without the sacrifice of the cross.

Jesus had defining moments in his life — like, leaving home and going to Jerusalem. The journey took Jesus through Samaria. There Jesus was asked a question about who our neighbor is and who we should help. Jesus' answer was to see people you may see as your enemy, people who are wrong, who want to do you harm, as your neighbor.

Jesus came to offer deeper healing of forgiveness, which is much more important and lasting than a miracle of helping someone walk. Our inner need for healing is a hallmark of Jesus' ministry. God is not a condemning God but a forgiving God. We're like the paralytic and the crowd. We come to Jesus to help us or give us a miracle. Sometimes Jesus does those things, but the real power of Jesus is forgiveness for our sins (missing the mark/contrary to how God wants us to live our lives), which is a more significant kind of healing.