Following his triumphant entry into Jerusalem, Jesus began his final days in human form as he finished his preaching and teaching leading up to his ultimate fate. It's hard for we humans to imagine being a man and God at the same time with the power to save ourself from a very painful fate, yet still allowing our horrific end to take place as God wanted. But he knew this was the culmination of his mission on earth, to offer himself up as a living sacrifice so that mankind could have the opportunity for eternal life if the right life decision is made.
So as we go through this Holy Week, take time from your busy work schedule and the social gatherings that are so often associated with Easter egg hunts and the like and remember the true meaning of the Easter Story. If you can, attend a Maundy Thursday service on Thursday evening when Christians everywhere honor the Last Supper with communion and prayer in preparation for what is to happen on Good Friday.
I personally always try to spend a few moments of quiet at 3 p.m. on Good Friday as this is close to the time when Jesus gasped his last breath and offered Himself up to His Father. I close my eyes and try to visualize the scene and the suffering and it makes me very sad but at the same time very hopeful, hopeful for we mortal humans.
And then, of course, on Sunday, glorious Easter Sunday, we all celebrate the day when the tomb was found open and the burial linens lay empty signifying that He was indeed alive.
Non-believers often scoff at this, saying we are merely following silly superstitious stories that have no real meaning. But to them I would say this: The story of Jesus requires you to have faith, faith in Jesus as your Savior. And despite the persecution, often up to death, of his early followers and believers, the story was passed down from generation to generation through learned scholars and writers who kept it remarkably pure. Think of Peter, Paul who saw the light on his way to Damascus and ultimately died in Rome, and even Stephen who was stoned to death because he would not give us his belief in the Savior. What possessed them to do this?
It was their faith, given to them when they opened their hearts to the Holy Spirit, the third person of God, who is always with us to guide us and direct our life so that we might also inherit the Kingdom of God and experience eternal life. And it takes work and practice. You must pray, worship and read His Holy Word and if you do regularly you will be quite surprised how he works through the soul and infects to provide peace and love in your heart.
Jesus the Christ is alive and He loves us, and He wants us to live our lives for Him for if we do we will be at His table forever. What a wonderful story of love, forgiveness and grace.
Dear Lord, We thank you for this Holy Week and its meaning to us now and forever. Help us to never forget what your Son has done for us and infect our soul with the Spirit necessary to stand for Him in everything we do. Bless us and keep us true and faithful always. We ask in the name of Jesus, Our Lord and Our Christ, Amen.
Have a wonderful Holy Week and always keep Him close. God bless.
So as we go through this Holy Week, take time from your busy work schedule and the social gatherings that are so often associated with Easter egg hunts and the like and remember the true meaning of the Easter Story. If you can, attend a Maundy Thursday service on Thursday evening when Christians everywhere honor the Last Supper with communion and prayer in preparation for what is to happen on Good Friday.
I personally always try to spend a few moments of quiet at 3 p.m. on Good Friday as this is close to the time when Jesus gasped his last breath and offered Himself up to His Father. I close my eyes and try to visualize the scene and the suffering and it makes me very sad but at the same time very hopeful, hopeful for we mortal humans.
And then, of course, on Sunday, glorious Easter Sunday, we all celebrate the day when the tomb was found open and the burial linens lay empty signifying that He was indeed alive.
Non-believers often scoff at this, saying we are merely following silly superstitious stories that have no real meaning. But to them I would say this: The story of Jesus requires you to have faith, faith in Jesus as your Savior. And despite the persecution, often up to death, of his early followers and believers, the story was passed down from generation to generation through learned scholars and writers who kept it remarkably pure. Think of Peter, Paul who saw the light on his way to Damascus and ultimately died in Rome, and even Stephen who was stoned to death because he would not give us his belief in the Savior. What possessed them to do this?
It was their faith, given to them when they opened their hearts to the Holy Spirit, the third person of God, who is always with us to guide us and direct our life so that we might also inherit the Kingdom of God and experience eternal life. And it takes work and practice. You must pray, worship and read His Holy Word and if you do regularly you will be quite surprised how he works through the soul and infects to provide peace and love in your heart.
Jesus the Christ is alive and He loves us, and He wants us to live our lives for Him for if we do we will be at His table forever. What a wonderful story of love, forgiveness and grace.
Dear Lord, We thank you for this Holy Week and its meaning to us now and forever. Help us to never forget what your Son has done for us and infect our soul with the Spirit necessary to stand for Him in everything we do. Bless us and keep us true and faithful always. We ask in the name of Jesus, Our Lord and Our Christ, Amen.
Have a wonderful Holy Week and always keep Him close. God bless.
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