Just a few weeks post-op, I found myself standing in an unfamiliar pulpit, preparing to preach to a crowd of people who were mostly unknown to me. My hands were a bit shaky (a side effect of temporary medications); I had tried on too many outfits (in an attempt to figure out which what would be both professional and cover the slowly healing scar at the base of my throat).
Why did I agree to this?! I wondered to myself. Preaching is not the task I miss most since leaving my pastoral ministry assignment. When I discovered I would need surgery rather quickly to resolve a potential cancer diagnosis, it would have been the perfect out.
But Palm Sunday.
When the invitation came to preach on Palm Sunday, I immediately said yes because I had recently read Fight Like Jesus and the beautiful and compelling message and vision that Jason Porterfield shares was so powerful and moving, I was eager for a venue in which to reflect and share on this significant text of the Christian story.
While preaching familiar stories and well-known accounts can provided a particular challenge for pastors, Jason explores Jesus’ journey through Holy Week in a way that brings new insights and connections, demonstrating how Jesus consistently signals his peacemaking kingdom way beginning with the triumphal entry through the words of peace spoke when Jesus appears to his disciples in his post-resurrection appearance.
For many of us, Easter is past, but in the liturgical accounting of time we are now in the Easter season. While this book is structured in a way that can be read through Holy Week and features discussion questions (and a free online study guide) for small groups to use particularly in Lent, now is the perfect time to more deeply acquaint yourself with the Prince of Peace as expressed through the roller coaster of Holy Week.
This book is an intriguing and transformative invitation to deeper faith.
I hope you check it out. And if you do, please let me know what you think!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received Fight Like Jesus from the author and/or publisher through the Speakeasy blogging book review network. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.