Scriptures: John 12:16-26
Song of Praise: Doxology
Devotion:
The covenant that the God-head made before creation was ready to be consummated. Jesus was on His way to celebrate his final meal, Passover.
A crowd of fickle fans surrounded Jesus as He entered into Jerusalem.
The crowd grew quite large as they lined the streets, waving branches and loudly proclaiming Jesus to be King.
The Pharisees were less than pleased with this proclamation; immediately, disdain grew in their hearts over adulation Jesus was receiving.
Jesus was King, their procession was not misplaced. However, Jesus was going to establish His throne a bit differently than the roaring crowd anticipated.
Jesus' rescue plan seemed so odd, that even His very own disciples couldn't understand it until after Jesus died, and took His throne.
Have you ever planted a garden? How do you grow a seed?
You must plant the teeny, little seed into the dirt. While surrounded by darkness, the seed sprouts forth from its dusty grave, and after days of silence, suddenly, the new seedling can be seen.
In order for that seed to grow, it must be put into the ground to die. The seedling is alive because it was first buried and died.
The analogy is true for Christ and His Church.
In order for God's elect, or Christ's Church, to receive new life and relief from the curse of death, Jesus had to die. His body was placed in darkness for 3 days. Miraculously, He rose again to new life, conquering over the curse of death and disfellowship.
Christ took death and famine upon Himself, to restore to His people life and fruitfulness.
The same crowd that praised Jesus as King, and waved branches while praising Him, were the very same people who, just days later, would crucify Jesus.
How could that be? The Jews wanted a King of their own choosing.
They didn't care about reversing the curse as much as they cared about reversing their earthly misfortunes.
Jesus' mission was bigger than the Jews could grasp.
Jesus needed to become King, but His throne needed to be established rightly. He wasn't going to conquer Rome, crusade, or take over a city, He was going to die.
Just like the seed, Jesus was going to die and be buried. After a few days of apparent defeat, He would spring forth from the grave, full of life, and begin to produce fruitful Kingdom growth across the entire world.
Table Talk Questions:
How do seeds grow?
Why did the same people who praised Jesus, days later, want to crucify Him?
How did Jesus become King? by crusades and war? or by dying for His people?
Benediction:
May the Lord bless you and keep you;
May the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
Numbers 6:24-26
Meal: Oven Roasted Cauliflower & Broccoli Pasta, Eleanor's Breadsticks, Peanut Butter Crumble Pie
Recipes:
Oven Roasted Cauliflower & Broccoli Pasta
Prep and Cook Time:30-45 minutes
Serves: 6
6 cups fresh Broccoli florets, chopped
6 cups fresh Cauliflower Florets, chopped
4 Tablespoons Extra Olive Oil, divided
1 3/4 teaspoons Salt, divided
1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper, divided
1 box Penne Pasta
1 cup Shredded Parmesan Cheese
3 Tablespoons Lemon Juice
1 Tablespoon Garlic Powder
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 475º F, and boil a large pot of water on the stove.
On a sheet pan, toss the broccoli florets with 2 tablespoons olive oil, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. On a second sheet pan, repeat the process with the cauliflower florets, tossing them with 2 tablespoons olive oil, 3/4 teaspoons salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Ensure the veggies are spread out on the pans and not overlapping each other.
Place cauliflower in the oven and roast for 6 minutes; then add broccoli to the oven. Roast them both for 7 minutes before stirring both cauliflower and broccoli. Roas the veggies for about 10-12 minutes more, until they have begin to brown. Remove from oven and set to the side.
Add Pasta to boiling pot of water. Cook to al dente. RESERVE 1 cup of the starchy cooking water, and then drain the pasta.
In a large bowl, combine the veggies with the pasta, parmesan, lemon juice, garlic, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt evenly over the pasta . While stirring, SLOWLY add in enough cooking water until you reach your desired consistency.
Taste and adjust as needed.
Serve while hot.
Eleanor's Breadsticks
Prep and Cook Time: about 2 hours
Yields:14 Breadsticks
1 cup Water, warm
1 Tablespoon Active Yeast
2 Tablespoons Butter, softened
1 Egg
3 ¼ cups Flour
¼ cup Sugar
1 teaspoon Salt
3 tablespoons Butter, melted
garlic salt and Italian seasoning to taste
Instructions:
Combine all ingredients (besides the
melted butter, Garlic salt and Italian seasoning) in a mixing bowl.
Knead the dough for about 5 minutes.
After the kneading, the dough will be soft and slightly sticky, however of the dough remains too sticky to handle, add a little more flour.
Add the dough ball to a greased bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise one hour, until nearly double in size. Gently dump the dough on a floured surface, and divide it into 14 pieces. Roll the dough to form a breadstick shape.
Place them on a greased sheet pan, and allow them to rise another 30 minutes.
Bake them at 350 F for 15-20 minutes, or until they are brown.
After removing them from the oven, brush with melted butter and sprinkle with a small amount of garlic salt and italian seasoning.
Serve hot or cold...but hot is better!
Peanut Butter Crumble Pie
Prep and Cook Time:
Serves:8
1 prebaked Pìe Crust 9-ìnch
Hidden Crumble:
1/2 cup Powdered Sugar
1/4 cup Creamy Peanut Butter
Peanut Butter Fìllìng:
1 small box Instant Vanìlla Puddìng Mìx
1 1/2 cups Mìlk
1/2 cup Peanut Butter
1 cup of Cool Whìp + some for the top of the pie
Instructions:
In a mixing bowl, combine the crumble ingredients. Set to the side
In a separate mixing bowl, Combine the filling ingredients, until light and fluffy.
To assemble, add ½ the crumble to the bottom of your baked pie crust. Press down lightly to form a layer. Then add the filling over the crumble.
Spread it evenly and add the remaining cool whip and crumble over the top.
Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.