The Passion Week - Sunday!!!!!!

UP FROM THE GRAVE HE AROSE!

Friday was awful. Saturday painful. But, had they knew, had they understood what He had told them - Sunday was coming! And when it came what a glorious day it was! Our sin debt had been paid! The payment was accepted! And our great High Priest stepped from behind the veil and our sin was gone! GONE! Never to be held against us again. We were accepted in the Beloved. Words pale to express our great and glorious release. To celebrate this day, join me in singing this grand old hymn, this fantastic reminder of what transpired that day over 2000 years ago! 

Low in the grave he lay, Jesus my Savior,
waiting the coming day, Jesus my Lord!
Up from the grave he arose;
with a mighty triumph o'er his foes;
he arose a victor from the dark domain,
and he lives forever, with his saints to reign.
He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!

Vainly they watch his bed, Jesus my Savior,
vainly they seal the dead, Jesus my Lord! Up from the grave he arose; 
with a mighty triumph o'er his foes; 
he arose a victor from the dark domain, 
and he lives forever, with his saints to reign. 
He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose! 

Death cannot keep its prey, Jesus my Savior;
he tore the bars away, Jesus my Lord! Up from the grave he arose; 
with a mighty triumph o'er his foes; 
he arose a victor from the dark domain, 
and he lives forever, with his saints to reign. 
He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose! 

Prayer: Father, words fail me as I consider that day, that wonderful day. I can live forever with You because of what Jesus did. I am set free. I am forgiven. I am restored. I am alive, I am alive, I am alive because He is alive! My praises cannot contain themselves. I worship You with my whole being. Amen.

The Passion Week - Saturday

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.

On this day of the week over 2000 years ago, a group of followers of this Rabbi were in deep mourning. They were restricted by the Sabbath rules. They were afraid of the Cheif Priests and Romans. They were in shock, their beloved Rabbi, the One they were sure was the Promised Messiah was dead. He was in the tomb. The Romans had sealed the grave - it could not be opened under the threat of death. Everything they had hoped, all their time, all they had seen, all they had learned, all they....... gone!

In the quiet of that day, they thought how they had seen their hopes and dreams put to death. What future did they now have? Where would they go? Was it all a sham? But it seemed so true. He had power and authority as no other person ever had. Yet, gone.

We often can find ourselves in the same position. We had been sure that God was telling us to do a certain thing, to go to a certain place, to trust Him for the answer to our prayer, to - well, you fill in your own blank. And, just when it seemed that it was about to be the perfect timing - gone. Gone. The answer didn't come, or at least not the way I thought it would. What I thought was God's leading lead into a dead end. The promises disappeared in smoke. I am left sitting and wondering, mourning the loss.

We know today, that that Saturday that the Disciples mourned was not the end of the story. You see, just when we think God has ended the storyline, He writes another chapter. Where they only saw defeat and conclusion, God was about to write the most glorious and beautiful chapter yet! While they were pining away in the Upper Room, Jesus was preparing the most majestic display of the Love of God yet! 

If your life seems to have come to an end, if it seems like God has deserted you, if all your hopes and dreams are dashed, remember, God is about to write the next chapter.

Prayer: While I can't see the future, God, You have already planned the storyline. I may feel that it is all over, but You have not displayed Your full Power yet. Give me the strength to hold on and wait for Your glorious conclusion. Whatever I might think it is, You will show me that Your way is more glorious, more majestic, more wonderful than I could ever imagine. Amen.

The Passion Week - Friday

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.

Friday.

The Disciples and Christ leave the Upper Room, they cross over the Brook Kidron to the Mount of Olives. Nothing too unusual at this point, Jesus and those with Him often would spend the night amongst the Olive trees. He prays for His Disciples (John 17). He takes the inner circle (Peter, James, and John) and goes off to the side. He leaves even those three to go and pray. Three times in great agony He comes to the Father. Three times He finds His disciples sleeping. Judas betrays Him. Arrested, tried in 7 "kangaroo" courts. Denied by Peter. Scourged and Crucified. What a horrific day - the creature killing the Creator.

The first truly "Black Friday" was one of disgrace and humiliation for mankind. Refusing to accept their Savior, man put Him to death. Yet, this was the plan of God from the before the beginning of time and space. The only way that God's most beloved possession - His crown of Creation, Man could be restored from their fallen state was by this.

Are we too busy today to take the time to ponder and delve into the depth of the sinfulness of ourselves and to muse over the magnitude of His sacrifice? Will we once more miss the glory that came from the hill in Jerusalem called Golgotha? Join me in a time of silence and meditation upon the wonderful provision of God through that Old Rugged Cross. The horror of the sacrifice pales in comparison to the beauty of the provision.

Can I ask you one thing today, have you come to that saving relationship with Jesus Christ? Do you understand that we are all sinners separated from a Holy, Loving God? Do you see that Christ came to die, to pay the penalty of eternal separation from God with His own life? Do you believe that? Do you truly repent and turn from the way you have been living to the family of God? If you do, have you taken the time to ask Him to come and cleanse you, to become your Lord and Savior? Are you assured that you are restored by the Blood of the Savior?

Prayer: "So I'll cherish the old rugged Cross, Till my trophies at last I lay down. I will cling to the old rugged Cross, And exchange it some day for a crown." Father, that is my prayer today. I praise You for the wonder of the Cross. I exult You for the provision You have made. I magnify Your Name, I glory in Your Majesty. My sin is all washed away. I am clean. I am pure. I am Yours. Amen.

The Passion Week - Thursday

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.

THe Passion Week - Wednesday

Here we are again, facing the time of year that 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.

Wednesday has generally been referred to as "silent Wednesday." Most Commentaries and Harmonies do not attribute anything to this day of the week. Considering the importance of the week, the closeness of the Crucifixion, knowing that Jesus knew the path He was taking, I am sure that much must have happened on this day as well as the others. For whatever reason, God did not seem to disclose the instruction and preparation for us.

Dr. Willmington takes this day to say that this is the day that Judas secretly betrayed Jesus to the chief priests (Luke 22:3-4; Matt. 26:15-16). He also believes that this is the day that we find the confession of Peter - "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God (Matt. 16:16)."

In light of this, as I look at my life, which one of these two men do I most resemble? Judas or Peter? Before you answer too quickly, remember that they both wound up betraying Jesus. Judas by a kiss in the garden, and Peter by the fire in the High Priest's courtyard. Each betrayed their Lord. However, we know more of the story - Peter in humble and contrite confession and repentance sought forgiveness, while Judas in an apparent rejection of the grace of God went to his death unforgiven. Now, which am I? I too frequently betray my Lord like Peter - denial by word or deed - and do I come back and seek to be cleansed?

Looking to the Cross -------

Prayer: Jesus, I have so failed You. I love You, yet I can act like I don't know You. Draw me close, give me strength, cleanse my sin, give me a backbone and guts to stand for You - no matter what or who I am confronted. Amen.

The Passion Week - Tuesday

Here we are again, facing the time of year that 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.

On this day of the Passion Week (Tuesday), Jesus was confronted by the Pharisees (not that of an unusual circumstance). However this time we find them confronting Him about His authority, about paying taxes to Caesar, in reference to the resurrection, the greatest commandment, and the deity of the Messiah. Jesus very knowingly responds to each of the confrontations and then roundly condemns the Pharisees. He proceeds to commend a poor widow at the Temple treasury. He leaves Jerusalem for the day and stops to weep over what He knows will be the future for the city and people. Stopping at Mt. Olivet, He proceeds to give a prophetic view for His followers.

Ponder over the Greatest Commandment as pointed out by our Lord (Mark 12:30-31). He skillfully takes the 615 commandments in the Old Testament (which can be condensed into the 10 Commandments in Exodus) and distills the full essence into just 2 - Love God with everything you have, and love your neighbor as yourself. The first statement is vertical in nature - between God and man (Ex. 20:3-11, the first 4 of the commandments) and the second statement is horizontal - man to man (Ex.20:12-17, or the final 6 commandments). Ask yourself, do I really (and the emphasis here is on the word really) live out these two commandments? Are they embedded deep in my heart of hearts? Are they what I see daily? If not, where can I change? What can I change? How can I change?

Prayer: Father, I truly seek to love You with my whole being, with all I am and have. I want to love those You place in my path with a love like Yours. I fail miserably, over and over again, and I come humbly pleading for You to rectify this in my life. May I live out what is in me - and may that which is in me be You. Amen.

The Passion Week - Monday

Here we are again, facing the time of year that 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.

Today, We find the accounts of Jesus cursing the Fig Tree (Matt. 21:18-19), the second cleansing of the Temple by Jesus (Mark 11:15-18), and the request by some Greeks to see Jesus (John 12:20-32). It was a busy day.

The cursing of the fig tree brought Jesus great pain and sorrow. In fact, it took Paul three entire chapters in his letter to the Romans (9-11) to explain the theological implications of this miracle. The overriding lesson from this account is obvious - God desires fruit. His chosen nation failed to bear fruit (Hos. 10:1) and His present plan is for believers to bear fruit (John 15:8).

This causes us to pause and meditate upon whether we are bearing fruit for the Master? Are we living our lives to be able to deliver fruit for God? And then, if not, why not? Jesus taught that He was the vine and we are the branches - and it is the function of the branch to bear fruit. As any horticulturist will tell you that branches of the vine that do not bear fruit are pruned by the gardener.

Prayer, Father, I want to be a fruitful branch. Prune whatever is in my life that keeps me from being that fruit-bearing branch of the vine, Jesus. May I be used by you, and to the fullest. Hide me in the Vine. Amen.

The Passion Week - Sunday

Here we are again, facing the time of year that 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 too.

Today, let us meditate upon the Sunday before the Crucifixion. Read the account in Matthew 21:1-11. Pause and muse over the account. What a day of joyous celebration. On this day, Jesus received the only "ticker-tape" parade of His life. However, the exaltation will be short-lived. How excited the followers of Jesus must have been. It seemed all Jerusalem - all of Jewry - was recognizing the Messiah. The cries of Blessed is the King of Israel (John 12:13) was probably ringing in their ears as they laid down to sleep that night.

Jesus chose to ride on the foal of a donkey. He did this to fulfill prophecy and to show the value of little things. God often uses what we might see as insignificant things to accomplish His grand divine will. The people called out the word "Hosanna" over and over. The word is only found 5 times in the Bible, and all but one of them occur here in the triumphal entry. In Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary, he states that the word in the Hebrew means "save, we pray." While originally the word was probably a cry for help, it had been turned into a utterance of praise. The people's cry on this day was from Psalm 118 which was recited during the Feast of Tabernacles.

Today, ponder the importance of this cry. It is a form of praise today, yet, when we understand the meaning - save, we pray - it stands out as what we need. Those who call out on this Sunday,will cry out again on Friday - Crucify Him! Will we be as fickle? Do we truly understand?

Prayer: Gracious Heavenly Father, may I stand in truth. May I call out to the only Savior - Hosanna. May I understand my need and His provision. Let me not be fickle in my beliefs. I pray this in His precious name, Amen.

The Passion Week - Saturday

Here we are again, facing the time of year that 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 too.

On Saturday of the week, we find the account of His anointing by Mary in Bethany. We need to pause and read the account in John 12:1-8 and Mark 14:9. This is the only anointing His body would receive. Even though Jesus had warned many times about His suffering and death, apparently only Mary took Him seriously. The 300 denarii of oil was roughly a year's wages for the average Israelite. It has been estimated at 20 to 25 thousand dollars. She may have inherited - or it could have consisted of her entire life's savings.

In this account we also gain insight into Judas Iscariot. He was led by Satan and he was a shameless thief and hypocrite. So, as we ponder this day in the life of our Lord, notice the contrast. Mary, believed what He said, and in her love acted lavishly toward Him. She was not ashamed to show the depth of her love, and was willing to go to great lengths to sacrifice and give her all to the Savior. On the other hand, we see Judas, a man who had walked and sat at the feet of Jesus for years. By outward appearances he should have been considered a follower of the Master, the Rabbi. Yet his inward heart did not match the outward show.

Let us muse over where we are today. As we read this account, meditate and seek to let the Lord open your heart and life. What do you see? Are you a Mary - or a Judas? 

Prayer: Precious Holy Spirit, hold the light of Your search over my heart. I am wanting to be pure, and a true follower of Jesus. Show me any area where I am more like Judas than Mary. Remove any trace of the self-centered, hypocritical heart from my being. Help me to be attentive, to be love Him lavishly, to give my all - holding nothing back - to live and work for my Master. I pray in the name of my Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.