The Way of the Cross

This is the English-translated outline of the sermon preached by Rev. Musubi Tabuchi to the congregations of Ashiya Christian Church and Unfinished Community on Palm Sunday, March 29, 2026, drawing from Matthew 26:14 - 27:66.

Today, we will read together from Matthew chapters 26 and 27, the account of Jesus’ journey toward His death on the cross. This reading will take a little time, but before we begin I would like to briefly share some thoughts and insights I hope you might consider as we go through this story.

There are two crosses displayed in our new sanctuary. One is the cross which was erected on the roof of the annex building, which was built during the expansion of our first sanctuary in 1927 (Showa 2). The second was crafted from the trunk of a camphor tree that was felled on the church grounds last summer. This reflects our desire to carry on the history of our church, while bringing that history into our new sanctuary.

As we read, I would like to ask you to reflect deeply on the meaning of the cross during today’s service. It is not merely a symbol—a logo which signifies the simple fact of the church’s existence—it is the very core of our faith, the place where Jesus bore all our sins and breathed His last. I hope that today, in particular, we will engrave upon our hearts the fact that this church continues to display it, and that we are even now striving to carry on that legacy.

Let us pray.

Beloved God, especially during Holy Week, please reveal to us the deep meaning of the cross, which we raise above and look upon. Through crucifixion of Jesus in that place, please help us to understand what our church should become.

We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, the Lord of the Cross.

Amen.