Passion Week: Rejection and Murder

God established Israel as his people
Israel’s leaders executed God’s Son
God expelled Israel’s wicked leaders

Jesus telegraphed that the leaders of Israel would reject and kill him because they were full of greed and self-promotion. Because they rejected Jesus they lost their place of prominence and their opportunity to be part of the kingdom of God. Even though the Jews killed Jesus they were simply opening up the kingdom to the Gentiles.

Brothers and Sisters in Jesus Christ:

1. Jesus suffered for you so you could become part of his family.
   1 Peter 2:4 Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, "Behold, I lay in Zion A chief cornerstone, elect, precious, And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame…

2. As part of his family you have to help build his house. Are you playing your part? What are you doing? Examine your own heart.

3. When you build his house you will have more family and more joy! These are the good people, not the ones you wished wouldn’t show up.

Finally: If you are not a Christian, God is offering you an opportunity to come into his wonderful family. Outside of it is death in hell. Take the opportunity to come inside. The blood required for your entrance into God’s family was paid for by Jesus.