Holy Week '24 . . . and now we wait!

 Ever wonder what the followers of Jesus were thinking on Saturday? Their Master has been crucified and labelled a traitor. What would become of them? What do they do now? Many went into hiding for fear of their lives! 

The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it.  Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment. (Luke 23:55-56)

Funny thing is, it was the women who were ready to go back to the tomb to finish preparing Jesus' body for a proper burial. I am sure His apostles were praying . . . but probably in fear and bewilderment. However, they went about the spiritual business of honoring the Sabbath . . . and of course waiting.

So now we too wait! Wait for what you might ask? We know Jesus a has risen and sits at the right hand of the glory of God. We know He was raised from the dead and will soon return. How soon? Now we wait with anticipation, however not in fear!

Between Good Friday afternoon and SONday morning, Jesus' Spirit descended into hell to release those awaiting the Savior from Paradise . . . Abraham's Bosom. Their waiting was richly rewarded!

What about you and me? Are we hiding out? Are living in fear to share our faith? Are we willing to go as the women did? The Bible promises specific rewards (crowns) for those who love and anticipate His appearing. Read what Paul wrote to Timothy . . .

Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.         (2 Timothy 4:8)

Yes, now we wait, but our waiting is done in serving others and sharing this Good News: Jesus is soon to return!

Holy Week '24 . . . Good Friday

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

A good Friday? Well, it sure was for us today! Jesus took all of the sin of the world upon Himself so that anyone who would choose would have access to eternal life. He not only sacrificed His life for our sin, but God He overcame death and the grave as He was raised up on Easter (Resurrection) SONday morning!

While today we fast and somberly remember the Passion of Christ, we not only look forward to SONday, but we look with excitement to our wn personal resurrection one day with Christ.

We have overcome the world along with Jesus!

Watch this video and imagine your sin and mine entering Jesus!

https://www.facebook.com/ChristourwisdomIntl/videos/this-is-an-animation-of-the-crucifixion-of-jesus-christ-it-shows-how-jesus-took-/275809540745973/?locale=sw_KE

Holy Week '24 . . . be used gladly!

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.(Philippians 2:14-17)

We think of being used as a bad thing in today's world . . . but not in CHRISTian circles! You see, we all . . . me included . . . grumble and argue about things way too much! We act just like everyone else rather than standing out like shining stars in the night. As Paul quoted from Deuteronomy 32:5, we live in a "warped and crooked generation"!  So as children of God, why act like them?

Let's allow ourselves to be used gladly by God . . . "poured out like a drink offering" until we are empty . . . every day! These last few days of Holy Week '24 I am going to attempt to grumble and complain less and seek to be used gladly by God more and more. 

What about you?

Holy Week'24 . . . praying that others may know.

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. (Romans 12:3-5)

In the first two verses of this letter from Paul, he challenges us to live sacrificially each day and to allow God the Holy Spirit to change or renew our minds to be more like His. In these few passages, he goes on the remind us that neither of us is more important than the other. If we are to function as one Body, and be impactful in this world for Christ, than we must realize that each of us has an important contribution to make.

👈Check out the verse to the left. . . I pray this day of Holy Week '24 that through our love and respect for one another, that we can show those on the outside what it is like to be one in Christ. I am praying that others may know Jesus because of how we treat one another . . . then if necessary we can use words.

HOLY WEEK '24 . . . . Wait for God!

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him;  it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord . . . (Lamentations 3:22-26)

Let's face it, it is a challenging world and many times we want answers NOW. We want help NOW. We want change NOW.  So rather than waiting upon God, we try to act on our own. 

How does that usually work out?

The Jews had centuries of waiting upon God, but time after time they would do their own thing and end up much worse. They would find themselves in captivity, under foreign rule, even lost and wandering for over forty years in a desert! Haven't we done the same . . . taken captive by schemes and plans of this world . . . ruled by people who do not have our best interests in mind . . . lost in this world and not able to find our way back to God?

Listen the the prophet Jeremiah. God is faithful. He is ever compassionate toward His children. His mercies are new each day. Today is always a good day to say: The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him!

As we look forward to recalling Jesus' Passion for us this week, let us also anticipate His coming once again. As we wait for God to act on or behalf in this present world, we can also wait excitedly for our salvation in eternity!

Holy Week '24 . . . stop complaining; the struggles are real and needed!

So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, so he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. (1 Corinthians 10: 12-13)

Oh boy, do we love to complain. Just as our ancestors did in the wilderness. We sometimes wonder how the Jews could possibly complain when God rescued them from slavery and provided for them day and night. Yet there was a purpose behind it all. God was trying to show them just Who He was and how much more powerful He was than any of the false gods of the world.

Many times we find ourselves complaining about our struggles, when God is trying to teach us a vital lesson. We rely so much upon the things (gods) of this world that we forget to depend upon God. He wants us to see His care . . . His love . . . His way, yes especially in the struggles.

Just as Jesus had to suffer, we too will suffer. Lord willing, not to the degree Jesus did, but who knows? They are real and needed for our spiritual growth! Like with the Jews in the wilderness and with Jesus on the cross, God is right there helping us through. 

Father, forgive me for complaining!