Plot to kill!

For Tuesday, March 31, 2026:

Mark 11:18 NLT: “When the leading priests and teachers of religious law heard what Jesus had done, (driving the corrupt from the Temple and overturning the money-changer’s tables,) they began planning how to kill him. But they were afraid of him because the people were so amazed at his teaching.”

Palm Sunday saw the Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, with people waving palm branches and shouting, “Hosanna, save us, save us now!”

Monday was the breaking point for Jesus. He’d had enough of the corruption and scams taking place in the Temple. He said, “My Father’s house should be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves,” as he overturned the money-changer’s tables.

So the next day, Tuesday, the leading priests and teachers of religious law started plotting how to kill Jesus. To them, he was nothing but trouble. Left a big mess in the Temple for someone else to clean up! But what complicated matters was that a lot of people thought Jesus was the best Bible teacher they’d ever seen! He seemed to have an inside track on explaining the Bible and God’s intentions. Of course, we now know that Jesus was God’s son, one-third of our Trinity God. The bad guys were trying to nail the Bible teacher with the most knowledge to a cross. Seems illogical, incongruous to me.

Nonetheless, the plot continued to develop. Those planning Jesus’ demise had no idea that they were fulfilling God’s agenda. Jesus had to die to take the sins of the world to the place of the dead. That way mankind’s sins could be forgiven, and the repentant could report to the Father. Everlasting life in God’s heavenly Kingdom could be the new reality for the faithful! Do your utmost to be among them!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Died for Sinners!

December 8, 2025, Monday Message:

Romans 5:7-8 NLT: “Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.”

A parent should give up his/her life if their child is threatened. And we should willingly sacrifice ourselves if so directed by God. But there aren’t too many times our lives should be sacrificed for another.

As for Jesus giving up his life for the sins of the world, I can only say that we are not worthy. That’s what makes this gift so remarkable. God loves mankind since He created us, but our morals had (and have) fallen by the wayside. And in spite of that, God commanded his son to personally be the sacrifice redeeming us from our sin penalty.

In my opinion, the most incredible thing is the order in which this all occurred. Mankind didn’t confess, repent and suddenly get our lives in order so God could gift us! No! God’s Son Jesus paid the price “while we were still sinners.” God put the opportunity, the gift, in place, awaiting our acceptance. God’s gift of forgiveness and everlasting life were given to first-century believers, and those same gifts are available to 21^st century believers – to us, to our children, and to our grandchildren. Since the gift is already offered, our obligation is to accept what was offered. We need to believe that Jesus is the Son of God, that his words are true, and that he can and will do for us what he said. Today is the accepted day to claim God’s salvation gift!

"There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13 NLT)

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

The Father’s House

Truth and Freedom Church