4-7-2023

Six days ago was Palm Sunday. The children of the church led a processional throughout the church waving their palm branches. But let us picture for a moment the reason the kids do this. Jesus was on the outskirts of Jerusalem. He told the disciples to go into town and find the donkey tied to the post. If anyone asks why you are taking the donkey, tell them that the Lord needs it. Apparently the owner didn’t mind that the stranger was taking his donkey. He didn’t know how pivotal this moment in history would be, but God knew.

AS Jesus was riding the donkey into town, many people spread the cloaks and palm branches on the ground like a red carpet for Jesus. They hailed him the triumphant king. It was a time of celebration for Jesus and his friends, but the week would take a dark turn. 

Maundy Thursday represents the Last Supper. A time where Jesus had fellowship with the 12. Jesus showed the 12 how to serve each other by washing their feet.

Then Jesus was arrested and through a series of events he was finally brought before Pontius Pilot who gave the crowd a choice as to which person should be crucified and which should be set free. Barabas was a criminal, and Jesus, the blameless Son of God.

John, who refers to himself in the book of John as “the one whom Jesus loved” or the “beloved”. In John 19 he describes Jesus death. Because of a special holiday the Jews did not want the bodies left on the crosses for the next day so the soldiers broke the legs of the 2 criminals on the crosses next to Jesus. But when they got to Jesus, they knew he was already dead so they pierced his side instead of breaking his legs. The Roman soldiers who chose NOT to break his legs, had no idea that prophecy said Jesus would have no broken bones. But God knew.

Because of the kindness of friends, he was wrapped in burial cloths, drenched in spices and laid in a borrowed tomb. Even those closest to him mourned and didn’t realize what was about to happen. But God knew.

When the Sabbath was over, the women ran to the tomb hoping someone would roll the stone away so that they could put fresh spices on Jesus, but to their surprise, when they got there the stone was moved and Jesus was gone. They were suddenly worried about where his body had gone. Then, a young man dressed in a white robe was near the entrance of the tomb. They were terrified. But he said, “Do not be afraid. You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here! See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” Trembling and bewildered the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone because they were afraid. 

In the few short years that Jesus traveled and spread the gospel with the disciples, he performed so many miracles. John 21:25 Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.

Today, we thank God for the life and death of our Lord Jesus Christ. His word teaches us how to live, his death teaches us that we CAN have eternal life with God. 

Thank you, Father, for sending your ONLY son, that He would die for our sins. That He would pay the debt that WE owe. Help us to never take this great gift for granted. Amen

Shirlene Peterson