First Presbyterian Church of Baton Rouge

"Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!"Branches are cut from trees, hands are raised in praise, and the most important figure enters the great city for his final week.

"Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe."Jesus' body in which he died was not only restored to life but changed.

"After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high."Imagine the moment when Jesus first sat down on heaven's throne.

"Behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom."

"As they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight."Think how it would have been if the resurrected Jesus stayed on earth. There is no way a billion people could relate to him. Even a million believers, we'd be waiting in line our whole lives to speak to him. But in ascending, leaving the earth but staying human, he now can relate to all of us all at once. How? By the gift of the Holy Spirit.

"God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it."The resurrection of Christ declares even more for those of us who are joined to him by faith. Not only is he unstoppable – so are we. What is the power that is at work in us, even now – we who have faith in him?

O death, where is your victory?O death, where is your sting?The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

"You were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ."Jesus had a physical heart like we all do. “On average 5,000 times each hour” and “Each beat upheld by the hand of his Father, like each beat of your heart.” But this particular heart started beating again! Do you think it was instantly, or did the Father slowly wake him up?  

Through the cross, Jesus redeems his people like a bride rescued from death. The story of Ruth and Boaz reflects this covenant love, pointing to Christ the Redeemer who gives himself for his church. He rescues us from sin and death, making us his beloved bride and calling us to live in love and hope.

"You are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption."All springs from the Cross?

"God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."What makes Jesus' cross, his spilled blood, his willing sacrifice, so compelling? What does his work achieve for us? 

"Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises."A covenant is a solemn agreement between two parties more binding than a contract. A contract is a 50-50 proposition. If you don't do your part, I'm no longer obligated to do my part. A covenant typically signifies “I'm committing to you this particular action or truth regardless of what you do, or death is the outcome.”

"Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us."Propitiation means to appease wrath. It's not a word we use every day. Not a concept we like, but a whole industry is built on propitiation! What do we bring to avert wrath?

"He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus over to their will."How is Barabbas a type for all of us, all of us who are insurrectionists against God? How does substitution work in the story of Barabbas and our story? 

We look through the window of the cross to see how sinners gain a new legal standing before a righteous God. We stood beneath a debt we could never afford, our failures and transgressions recorded against us. But in Christ, God canceled the record of debt . . . nailing it to the cross. Jesus paid the legal price for crimes he did not commit, and with his final word—tetelestai, finished—our debt was discharged. In the great exchange, my record of sinfulness goes to Jesus, and his record of faithfulness goes to me. Thus, God becomes both just and the justifier of sinners, offering grace, mercy, and a cleared record to all who lean upon Christ. 

"He entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption."Does Jesus' blood purchase our redemption now AND those sins that the animals were sacrificed for? What does God do with those sins that were covered with “lesser” blood than Jesus? Blood=Life

"We preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and wisdom of God."Why can't you separate the horror of the cross from the wonder of the sacrifice? We can't fully grasp the wonder without realizing its horror. 

"He appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him."How does Jesus' method emphasize the power of a few? What hope does that give us as disciple makers?

"All the people were hanging on his words."Jesus' enemies accused him of “not having studied,” the way we would say, "he didn't have a degree from a prestigious seminary.” True. But in what ways do you think Jesus did study to prepare for ministry? Did he come with the Bible already hard-wired in his brain or did he have to learn like we do? Why is that important?

"Jesus went on from there and walked beside the Sea of Galilee."How important to Jesus was “ministry in interruption”? Doesn't it seem like Jesus went out and expected to be interrupted, almost more than he went out with a specific target? In what ways do we struggle to be interruptible? What's happened to our margins? What would you have to do in order to be ready for God-sent interruptions?  

Sacrifice and offering, my blood for your life, is at the heart of the story of Scripture. We see the mystery resolved in Jesus. The Triune God asked much of his people in the sacrifices. But the Father, Son, and Spirit gave more in the mission of the Son to die and rise in order to save us.

How essential is it that we see Jesus weeping and angry being “deeply moved?” What does this say about his love? Isn't it interesting that knowing Jesus wept doesn't make him less powerful, but instead more so? What happens to us when we suppress emotions? What value is given to our emotions when we see Jesus feeling? 

"He was in the stern, asleep on the cushion."What are we being told when we can't sleep for worry or restlessness? Or when we fear to sleep? 

"My Father is working until now, and I am working." Have you ever thought much about how hard Jesus had to work as a carpenter, a tradesman in construction? Why do you think Jesus lived in such obscurity for 30 years? How could Jesus be so unhurried in his life and ministry amidst so much human need? 

"For this purpose, I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name."We love to glorify people we love or admire: actors, athletes, writers, scientists. We don't mind glorifying someone when it comes from such affection.  But do we fear if we glorify God, it will diminish us? As if when there's more of God, there's less of us?Is that true? What does it mean to glorify God? 

"He went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God."Why were his times apart for prayer so necessary to the work of Jesus?  

Jesus' cross cannot be understood apart from his incarnation, life, resurrection, and ascension, and his identity as fully God and fully man. In humanity's weakness, sin, and hostility, Christ died as substitute to reconcile us. His sacrificial love frees believers from self-centered living and calls them into transformed, Christ-centered, life.

Join Scott Graham, Lauren Honea and Gerrit Dawson for these 10 to 12-minute roundtable discussions of "Rich Wounds: The Countless Treasures of the Life, Death and Triumph of Jesus" by our friend David Mathis. It contains 30 pithy reflections on the person and work of Christ.

Join Scott Graham, Lauren Honea and Gerrit Dawson for these 10 to 12-minute roundtable discussions of "Rich Wounds: The Countless Treasures of the Life, Death and Triumph of Jesus" by our friend David Mathis. It contains 30 pithy reflections on the person and work of Christ.

Our mission occurs when we launch people into what, for us, are the most remote areas. Our mission also involves each little decision we make during the day to do the right thing. We imitate what is good. We welcome others. We cultivate the fruit of the Spirit so that partaking of our lives tastes like the sweetness of love, joy, and peace. We understand that Church means all believers everywhere and Church means Team. Gaius and the bros tell us that such faithfulness results in resounding thanksgiving and praise to our God around the world. It all matters.

Our mission occurs when we launch people into what, for us, are the most remote areas. Our mission also involves each little decision we make during the day to do the right thing. We imitate what is good. We welcome others. We cultivate the fruit of the Spirit so that partaking of our lives tastes like the sweetness of love, joy, and peace. We understand that Church means all believers everywhere and Church means Team. Gaius and the bros tell us that such faithfulness results in resounding thanksgiving and praise to our God around the world. It all matters.

We do not want to be a fireplace with pretty flames but no heat. We want to show the world that we know we must love one another or die. We choose not despair. Not cynicism. Not hatred. But truth in love, and love in truth.

We do not want to be a fireplace with pretty flames but no heat. We want to show the world that we know we must love one another or die. We choose not despair. Not cynicism. Not hatred. But truth in love, and love in truth.

What would happen if you and I looked at each person we meet this week as if their names were engraved in the palms of Jesus? If we saw that there was room in the wounds of Jesus for the name of each one? That each has been created and called to be in the hands of Jesus? We would realize how Jesus speaks to his Church amidst all the thorny issues of the day and gives us an underlying, often uncomfortable but always redemptive word: receive him back, but no longer as a bondservant, but as a beloved brother. Apply that everywhere you look and see what happens.

What would happen if you and I looked at each person we meet this week as if their names were engraved in the palms of Jesus? If we saw that there was room in the wounds of Jesus for the name of each one? That each has been created and called to be in the hands of Jesus? We would realize how Jesus speaks to his Church amidst all the thorny issues of the day and gives us an underlying, often uncomfortable but always redemptive word: receive him back, but no longer as a bondservant, but as a beloved brother. Apply that everywhere you look and see what happens.

Jesus gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. ​ He gets us unstuck. ​ The grace that is Jesus Christ appeared in the world once and for all time, interrupting the death march of humanity by his own living, dying, and rising. ​ Now, in this present, the event of Jesus calls us to a new life today, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions and live in freedom with a new purpose.

Jesus gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. ​ He gets us unstuck. ​ The grace that is Jesus Christ appeared in the world once and for all time, interrupting the death march of humanity by his own living, dying, and rising. ​ Now, in this present, the event of Jesus calls us to a new life today, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions and live in freedom with a new purpose.

Do you really want to go back to the ridiculous futile ways of your former ignorance? Do you still want to pick up dead things and see if you can poke them alive? Do you still want to fit in with a world captive and crushed under its defiant enthronement of self? Of course not! Keep believing and repenting and moving from the circle of sin to the circle of the gospel. More and more, deeper and deeper. The man for all men and women, boys and girls, Jesus, paid such a price to ransom you. Live in that freedom!

Do you really want to go back to the ridiculous futile ways of your former ignorance? Do you still want to pick up dead things and see if you can poke them alive? Do you still want to fit in with a world captive and crushed under its defiant enthronement of self? Of course not! Keep believing and repenting and moving from the circle of sin to the circle of the gospel. More and more, deeper and deeper. The man for all men and women, boys and girls, Jesus, paid such a price to ransom you. Live in that freedom!

You may not see yourself as having much to offer the Lord in 2026. Perhaps you have fears, concerns, or hurts that feel beyond your ability to address. And you're right. But under our Lord's authority, He is able to make you a new creation. In fact, Christ's love becomes the love we have for others.

You may not see yourself as having much to offer the Lord in 2026. Perhaps you have fears, concerns, or hurts that feel beyond your ability to address. And you're right. But under our Lord's authority, He is able to make you a new creation. In fact, Christ's love becomes the love we have for others.

Lord Jesus, on this Christmas Eve, we light candles in the darkness. We sing carols into the night. While chaos seems ever near, we draw upon the deep peace of your being gathered in Mary's arms. You came through the barrier of our rebel humanity to be near us. Forgive us for all the times we have scampered away from you. For the ways we have sought life among dead things. For the doubts we raise that are really just willful refusal. Tonight, we would return to our heart of hearts and find you there. We would come to the manger, your first home with us, to receive your body and blood, and so be taken through to the everlastinghome that is you. Amen. 

Lord Jesus, on this Christmas Eve, we light candles in the darkness. We sing carols into the night. While chaos seems ever near, we draw upon the deep peace of your being gathered in Mary's arms. You came through the barrier of our rebel humanity to be near us. Forgive us for all the times we have scampered away from you. For the ways we have sought life among dead things. For the doubts we raise that are really just willful refusal. Tonight, we would return to our heart of hearts and find you there. We would come to the manger, your first home with us, to receive your body and blood, and so be taken through to the everlastinghome that is you. Amen. 

We want to gaze upon Christ now so that when we meet face to face, we have been preparing. We gaze on him as we enter the stories of his interactions with us. In the Scriptures we discover there are endless treasures in Jesus to behold and adore. We look at Christ by looking at life and the world through the eyes of Christ. We engage the task of growing more like him, not in fear but in hope.

We want to gaze upon Christ now so that when we meet face to face, we have been preparing. We gaze on him as we enter the stories of his interactions with us. In the Scriptures we discover there are endless treasures in Jesus to behold and adore. We look at Christ by looking at life and the world through the eyes of Christ. We engage the task of growing more like him, not in fear but in hope.

God creates light from nothing when he shines within us. He shines light so that we can see the light of his glory shining in the face of Jesus Christ. And believe. It takes an act of creation to remove our blindness. It takes an act of creation to create faith in us. To see that the Jesus of the Christmas story is the savior of the world and my personal savior.