We are continuing our study in this time of year that we Christians celebrate the Passion of the Christ. The Gospel accounts give attention to this important event. Of the 89 chapters in the Gospels, only 4 record the first 30 years of His life. Yet, they give almost 1/4 of the chapters to the final week to His resurrection. Obviously, this is vital and important for us. Over the next few days (until Easter Sunday), we are going to walk with the Master. Using the timeline as developed by Dr. Harold Willmington, let us remember and be ministered to also.
Thursday is a very busy day. Jesus knows His time is fast approaching and He must finish preparing His Disciples for what is to come. The day sees Jesus makes preparation for the Upper Room events and He presides over the Upper Room events. The Jewish day went from sundown to sundown (approximately 6 pm to 6 pm the next day). So, We find Jesus and the Disciples in the Upper Room during what we would call Thursday afternoon to evening.
We find Jesus teaching and giving His last minute instructions to help prepare those there for what is about to happen. They had argued over who was the greatest, and He washed their feet to demonstrate true greatness in the Kingdom. He used the Passover meal to teach about His broken body and shed blood.
Can you imagine the sorrow that they must have brought to Jesus that evening? His mind is on the upcoming sacrifice for sin that He is about to make, they are arguing over who is most important. Their "self" was being an idol that would stand between them and the Savior. Status was more important than the One who was about to be slaughtered. Position in the Kingdom took up more of their thoughts than the Person who made up the Kingdom. Yet, in His humble and loving way, Jesus took off His robe, wrapped a towel around His waist, and bowed and washed their feet. I believe that until Peter speaks, you could have heard a pin drop. How many mouths were hanging open in surprise? How many heads dropped in humble resignation? How many hearts were pierced through with the act of service given by their Rabbi?
On this day, are we more concerned with our status and position than with the Savior? Are we focusing more on how to get ahead instead of looking to the Holy One? Will we miss the impact of the Crucifixion because we are not listening to Crucified One? I am not important, Jesus is. I am not worthy, Jesus is. I deserve the Wrath of God, but Jesus deflected that Wrath on Himself. Will I miss the true message of this week because I am too wrapped up in myself and what pertains to me?
Prayer: Jesus................. I want to take my eyes off of me and put them wholly on You. I want to feel and understand the full impact of what You have done for me. Give me a servant's heart to minister to others as You have ministered to me. Amen.
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