Lutheran Lectionary for 29 March 2026 (Palm Sunday)

Welcome to the Lutheran Lectionary Podcast from Confident Faith.

I am Corey J. Moller, a contributor here at Confident Faith, and I will be your reader today.

This Palm Sunday, the 29th of March, in the year of our Lord, 2026, in the time of Easter.

Our readings for today are Isaiah, chapter 50, verses 4 through 9A, Psalm 118, verses 19 through

29, Psalm 31, verses 9 through 16, Philippians, chapter 2, verses 5 through 11, John, chapter

12, verses 12 through 43, and Matthew, starting with chapter 26, verse 1, and reading through

chapter 27, verse 66. We will close, as always, with the Lord's Prayer.

Today's first reading comes from the book of Isaiah, and we will be reading the 50th chapter,

verses 4 through 9A. The Lord gives me the tongue of instruction that I may know in season

when it is necessary to speak a word. He assigned it to me in the morning. He added to me an

ear to hear, and the instruction of the Lord opens my ears, and I do not disobey nor contradict.

I have given my back to scourges and my cheeks to blows, but I did not turn away my face from

the shame of spittings, and the Lord became my helper, therefore I was not disgraced,

but I have set my face like solid rock, and I realize that I would not be put to shame,

because he who justified me draws near, who is the one who contends with me, let him confront me at

once. Yes, who is the one who contends with me, let him draw near me. Look, the Lord helps me,

who will harm me. This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Today's first reading from the Psalter is from the 118th Psalm, and we will be reading

verses 19 through 29. Open to me gates of righteousness. When I enter in them, I will acknowledge the

Lord. This is the gate of the Lord. Righteous ones shall enter in it. I will acknowledge you because

you harkened to me, and became deliverance for me. A stone which the builders rejected,

this one became the chief cornerstone. This was from the Lord, and it is marvelous in our eyes.

This is the day that the Lord made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. All Lord do save. All Lord

do give success. Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. We bless you from the house

of the Lord. The Lord is God, and He showed us light, a range of feast with the thick ones,

up to the horns of the altar. My God you are, and I will acknowledge you. My God you are,

and I will exalt you. I will acknowledge you because you harkened to me, and became deliverance for me.

I acknowledge the Lord because He is good, because His mercy is forever.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning,

is now, and will be forevermore. Amen.

Today's second reading from the Psalter is from the 31st Psalm, and we will be reading

verses 9-16. Have mercy on the Lord, because I am being afflicted. My eye was troubled by

vexation, my soul, and my belly, because my life failed in pain, and my years in sighing.

My strength grew weak in poverty, and my bones were troubled. With all my enemies I became a

reproach, and to my neighbors very much, and a fright to my acquaintances. Those who would see me

outside fled from me. I passed out of mind like one who is dead. I became like a broken vessel,

because I heard censure from many, sojourning all around, when they gathered together against me,

they plotted to take my soul. But as for me I hoped in you, O Lord, I said, you are my God.

My times are in your hands. Rescue me from my enemy's hand and from my persecutors.

Shine your face upon your slave. Save me in your mercy.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning, is now and will be forevermore. Amen.

Today's epistle reading comes from the Book of Philippians, and we will be reading the

second chapter, verses five through eleven. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in

Christ Jesus, who though he was in the form of God did not count equality with God a thing to be

grasped, but emptied himself by taking the form of a servant, being bored in the likeness of men,

and being found in human form he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death,

even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is

above every name, so that the name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and

under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.

This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Today's first gospel reading comes from the Book of John, and we will be reading the

twelfth chapter, verses twelve through forty-three. The next day the large crowd that had come to the

feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, so they took branches of palm trees and went out

to meet him crying out. Hosanna blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the king of

Israel. And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written, fear not daughter of

Zion, behold your king is coming, sitting on a donkey's cult. His disciples did not understand these

things at first, but when Jesus was glorified then they remembered that these things had been

written about him and had been done to him. The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus

out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to bear witness. The reason why the crowd

went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign, so the Pharisees said to one another,

you see that you are gaining nothing. Look, the world has gone after him.

Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks, so these came to Philip who

was from Bethesda in Galilee and asked him, Sir, we wish to see Jesus. Philip went and told Andrew,

Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus, and Jesus answered them. The hour has come for the son of

man to be glorified. Truly, truly I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and

dies, it remains alone. But if it dies it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it,

and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me,

he must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the father will

honor him. Now is my soul troubled, and what shall I say? Father saved me from this hour,

but for this purpose I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name. Then a voice came from

heaven. I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again. The crowd that stood there and heard it

said that it had thundered. Others said, an angel has spoken to him. Jesus answered,

this voice has come for your sake, not mine. Now is the judgment of this world. Now will the ruler

of this world be cast out, and I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.

He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die. So the crowd answered him,

we have heard from the law that the Christ remains forever. How can you say that the son of man

must be lifted up? Who is this son of man? So Jesus said to them, the light is among you for a

little while longer. Walk while you have the light, less darkness overtake you. The one who walks

in the darkness does not know where he is going, while you have the light, believe in the light,

that you may become sons of light. When Jesus had said these things, he departed and hid himself

from them. Though he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him,

so that the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled. Lord who has believed what he

heard from us, and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed. Therefore they could not believe,

for again Isaiah said, he has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart,

lest they see with their eyes and understand with their heart and turn and I would heal them.

Isaiah said these things because he saw his glory and spoke of him. Nevertheless, many even

of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it,

so that they would not be put out of the synagogue, for they loved the glory that comes from man,

more than the glory that comes from God. This is the gospel of the Lord. Praise be to thee, O Christ.

Today's second gospel reading comes from the book of Matthew, and we will be reading from

verse 1 of the 26th chapter, through verse 66 of the 27th chapter. When Jesus had finished all

these sayings, he said to his disciples, you know that after two days the Passover is coming,

and the Son of man will be delivered up to be crucified. Then the chief priests and the elders of

the people gathered in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, and plotted together

in order to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him. But they said, not during the feast,

lest there be an uproar among the people. Now when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the

Lepper, a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she ported on

his head as he reclined at table. And when the disciples sought, they were indignant saying, why

this waste, for this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor. But Jesus

aware of this said to them, why do you trouble the woman, for she has done a beautiful thing to me,

for you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. In pouring this ointment

on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial. Truly I say to you, wherever this gospel

is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.

Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priest and said,

what will you give me if I deliver him over to you? And they paid him thirty pieces of silver,

and from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him. Now on the first day of unleavened

bread the disciples came to Jesus saying, where will you have us prepare for you to eat the Passover?

He said, go into the city to a certain man and say to him, the teacher says, my time is at hand,

I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples, and the disciples did as Jesus

had directed them, and they prepared the Passover. When it was evening he reclined at table with the

twelve, and as they were eating he said, truly I say to you, one of you will betray me,

and they were very sorrowful and began to say to him one after another. Is it I, Lord? He answered,

he who has dipped his hand in the dish with me will betray me. The son of man goes as it is

written of him, but woe to that man by whom the son of man is betrayed. It would have been better

for that man if he had not been born. Judas who would betray him answered, is it I, Rabbi? He said

to him, you have said so. Now as they were eating Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it

and gave it to the disciples and said, take, eat, this is my body, and he took a cup, and when he

had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, drink of it all of you, for this is my blood of the

covenant which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you I will not drink again

of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you and my father's kingdom.

And when they had sung a hymn they went out to the mount of olives. Then Jesus said to them,

you will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, I will strike the shepherd

and the sheep of the flock will be scattered. But after I am raised up I will go before you to

Galilee. Peter answered him, though they all fall away because of you I will never fall away.

Jesus said to him, truly I tell you this very night before the rooster crows, you will deny me three

times. Peter said to him, even if I must die with you I will not deny you and all the disciples

said the same. Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane and he said to his disciples,

said here while I go over there and pray. And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebede

he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, my soul is very sorrowful,

even to death. Remain here and watch with me. And going a little farther he fell on his face

and prayed, saying, my father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me. Nevertheless,

not as I will but as you will. And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said

to Peter, so could you not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter

the temptation. The spirit indeed is willing but the flesh is weak. Again for the second time he

went away and prayed, my father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done. And again

he came and found them sleeping for their eyes were heavy. So leaving them again he went away

and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. Then he came to the disciples and said

to them, sleep and take your rest later on. See the hour is at hand and the son of man is betrayed

into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going. See my betrayer is at hand.

While he was still speaking Judas came one of the twelve. And with him a great crowd with swords

and clubs from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had given the

Messiah and saying, the one I will kiss is the man, sees him. And he came up to Jesus at once

and said, greetings rabbi. And he kissed him. Jesus said to him, friend, do what you came to do.

Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him. And behold one of those who were

with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest

and cut off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, put your sword back into its place. For all who take

the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my father and he will at

once send me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then should the scriptures be fulfilled

that it must be so? At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, have you come out as against a robber

with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching and you did not

seize me. But all this is taken place at the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.

Then all the disciples left him and fled. Then those who had seized Jesus led him to

Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had gathered. And Peter was following

him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest. And going inside he sat with the

guards to see the end. Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking false testimony

against Jesus that they might put him to death. But they found none, though many false witnesses

came forward. At last two came forward and said, this man said, I am able to destroy the temple of

God and rebuild it in three days. And the high priest stood up and said, have you no answer to make?

What is it that these men testify against you? But Jesus remained silent and the high priest said

to him, I adjure you by the living God. Tell us if you are the Christ the Son of God. Jesus said to

him, you have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of man seated at the right

hand of power and coming on the clouds of heaven. Then the high priest or his robes and said,

he is uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy.

What is your judgment? They answered, he deserves death. Then they spit in his face and struck him

and some slapped him saying, prophesied to us, you Christ, who is it that struck you?

Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard and a servant girl came up to him and said, you also

were with Jesus the Galilean, but he denied it before them all saying, I do not know what you mean.

And when he went out to the entrance another servant girl saw him and she said to the bystanders,

this man was with Jesus of Nazareth, and again he denied it with an oath, I do not know the man.

After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, certainly you too are one of them

for your accent betrays you. Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, I do not know the

man, and immediately the rooster crowed, and Peter remembered the saying of Jesus before the rooster

crowed, you will deny me three times. And he went out and wept bitterly. When morning came all the

chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death,

and they bound him and led him away and delivered him over to pilot the governor.

Then when Judas as betrayers saw that Jesus was condemned he changed his mind and brought back

the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders saying, I have sinned by betraying

innocent blood. They said, what is that to us? See to it yourself. And throwing down the pieces

of silver into the temple he departed. And he went and hanged himself. But the chief priests

taking the pieces of silver said, it is not lawful to put them into the treasury since it is blood

money. So they took counsel and bought with them the potters field as a burial place for strangers.

Therefore that field has been called the field of blood to this day.

Then was fulfilled what had been spoken by the prophet Jeremiah saying, and they took the

thirty pieces of silver, the price of him on whom a price had been set by some of the sons of

Israel. And they gave them for the potters field as the Lord directed me.

Now Jesus stood before the governor and the governor asked him, are you the king of the Jews?

Jesus said, you have said so. But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders he gave

no answer. Then pilot said to him, do you not hear how many things they testify against you?

But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.

Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom

they wanted. And they had then a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. So when they had gathered,

pilot said to them, whom do you want me to release for you? Barabbas or Jesus who is called Christ?

For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up. Besides, while he was sitting

on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, have nothing to do with that righteous man,

for I have suffered much because of him today in a dream. Now the chief priests and the elders

persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. The governor again said to them,

which of the two do you want me to release for you? And they said Barabbas, pilot said to them,

then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ? They all said, let him be crucified. And he

said, why, what evil has he done? But they shouted all the more, let him be crucified.

Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor's headquarters, and they gathered

the whole battalion before him, and they stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and twisting

together a crown of thorns they put it on his head and put a read in his right hand. And kneeling

before him, they mocked him saying, hail King of the Jews, and they spit on him and took the read

and struck him on the head. And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe,

and put his clothes on him, and led him away to crucify him.

As they went out, they found a man of sireen, Simon by name. They compelled this man to carry his

cross. And when they came to a place called Golgotha, which means place of a skull,

they offered him wine to drink mixed with gall. But when he tasted it, he would not drink.

And when they had crucified him, they divided his garments among them by casting lots.

Then they sat down and kept watch over him there. And over his head they put the charge against him,

which read, this is Jesus, the King of the Jews. Then two robbers were crucified with him,

one on the right and one on the left. And those who pass by to ride at him wagging their heads,

and saying, you who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself.

If you are the son of God, come down from the cross. So also the chief priest with the scribes

and elders mocked him, saying, he saved others, he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel,

let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God, let God

deliver him now, if he desires him. For he said, I am the son of God. And the robbers who were

crucified with him also reviled him in the same way. Now from the sixth hour there was darkness

over all the land until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice,

saying, Eli, Eli, lemas sabakhthani, that is, my God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

And some of the bystanders hearing it said, this man is calling Elijah. And one of them at once ran

and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine, and put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink.

But the other said, wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him. And Jesus cried out again

with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two

from top to bottom, and the earth shook, and the rocks were split. The tombs also were opened,

and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, and coming out of the tombs after

his resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many. When the centurion and those

who were with him keeping watch over Jesus saw the earthquake in what took place, they were filled

with awe and said, truly this was the Son of God. There were also many women there looking on

from a distance who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him, among whom were Mary Magdalene,

and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebede.

When it was evening there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who also was a disciple of

Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus, then Pilate ordered it to be given to him.

And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud and laid it in his own new tomb,

which he had cut in the rock, and he rolled a great stone to the entrance of the tomb and went away.

Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb.

The next day, that is, after the day of preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before

Pilate and said, Sir, we remember how that imposter said while he was still alive. After three days,

I will rise. Therefore order the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Lest his disciples go

and steal him away and tell the people, he is risen from the dead, and the last fraud will be worse

than the first. Pilate said to them, You have a guard of soldiers, go, make it as secure as you can.

So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard.

This is the gospel of the Lord. Praise be to thee, O Christ.

I now invite all of you to join me in reciting the Lord's Prayer, one of the most ancient prayers

of the church. I do encourage you to say it aloud if you are somewhere it would be reasonable to do so,

but praying it silently is, of course, also fine. The Lord knows what is in your heart.

Lord, remember us in your kingdom and teach us to pray.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses

as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil,

for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

Go in peace and grace to serve our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, in whatever calling has been

given you, or tasks set before you. Until this Thursday, God be with you.