I know I've already posted today but I had another thought or two.
Imagine how defeated everybody must feel right now... in the context of Holy Week.
It's night...the beginning of Sabbath and Jesus is now in the tomb...
What went wrong? How could he have been so knowledgable and so powerful and it all end this way? What do we do now... all of the religious people are alienated and we have left everything to follow Him...now what?
They were after Him...now will they come after us?
How could this happen? How disappointing....how discouraging...
Wait, has anyone thought about the things he had said... the temple will be destroyed but will be rebuilt again in three days. He told them he had to die but he would rise again. Did they forget?
The enemy didn't forget...that's why they sealed the tomb and placed soldiers there.
I wonder sometimes if we, His people, forget His promises at the most crucial times.
He is in the grave...and I repeat from my earlier blog...It is Friday, but Sunday's coming!
Friday, April 10, 2009
Holy Week...Friday
Today is Friday...
Jesus has endured several trials during the night and morning, all of which were illegal and unfair.
He has been mercilessly treated by arrogant handlers throughout the ordial.
His power was demonstrated once again in the garden when all the soldiers fell to the ground, yet He submitted to the plan.
Beatings...spitting...and that horrible picture that we have all been reminded of by "The Passion of Christ" The sad truth is Jesus was likely unrecognizable by the time the beatings were over.
The long painful walk down the Via Dolorosa (Way of suffering) carrying that cross.
As if all that's not enough...the nails in the hands and feet...the thorns on His head and the spear in His side...
It's a dark moment... in fact it was dark for several hours as the Father was forced to turn His face from the Son. Wow! What sacrifice.
It's Friday......... But listen carefully.... SUNDAY IS COMING!!!
Jesus has endured several trials during the night and morning, all of which were illegal and unfair.
He has been mercilessly treated by arrogant handlers throughout the ordial.
His power was demonstrated once again in the garden when all the soldiers fell to the ground, yet He submitted to the plan.
Beatings...spitting...and that horrible picture that we have all been reminded of by "The Passion of Christ" The sad truth is Jesus was likely unrecognizable by the time the beatings were over.
The long painful walk down the Via Dolorosa (Way of suffering) carrying that cross.
As if all that's not enough...the nails in the hands and feet...the thorns on His head and the spear in His side...
It's a dark moment... in fact it was dark for several hours as the Father was forced to turn His face from the Son. Wow! What sacrifice.
It's Friday......... But listen carefully.... SUNDAY IS COMING!!!
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Holy Week...Thursday
I have stood in a room that some believe is the upper room where Jesus celebrated the Passover meal with his disciples that Thursday night.
I have knelt in the garden of Gethsemene near a tree that very likely was there that night that Jesus prayed there. From that garden I could see the Eastern gate to the old city.
I slipped off my shoes and socks and walked bare foot up the stone stairs to Caiaphas' porch where Jesus walked that night.
I have stared at the stone floor of the place where some believe Jesus was condemned to death.
I closed my eyes at each place and tried desperately to imagine what it was like that night. Jesus had so very much to say on that last day with His disciples. The promise of the Holy Spirit...the Vine and the branches... that His joy may remain in us and that our joy might be made complete.
Maunday Thursday, as we call it, oh what a day... my life is enhanced because I have been in those places where Jesus was, but my life is enriched because the Jesus of those places is in me.
I have knelt in the garden of Gethsemene near a tree that very likely was there that night that Jesus prayed there. From that garden I could see the Eastern gate to the old city.
I slipped off my shoes and socks and walked bare foot up the stone stairs to Caiaphas' porch where Jesus walked that night.
I have stared at the stone floor of the place where some believe Jesus was condemned to death.
I closed my eyes at each place and tried desperately to imagine what it was like that night. Jesus had so very much to say on that last day with His disciples. The promise of the Holy Spirit...the Vine and the branches... that His joy may remain in us and that our joy might be made complete.
Maunday Thursday, as we call it, oh what a day... my life is enhanced because I have been in those places where Jesus was, but my life is enriched because the Jesus of those places is in me.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Holy Week...Wednesday
Wednesday was the day before celebrating Passover. If you study the week that Jesus was crucified you will find something recorded each day from Palm Sunday to Friday except for Wednesday. Nothing is shared with us about Jesus' activity on that day. I have always wondered about His activity on Wednesday.
I truly believe that most, if not all, of that day was spent in prayer. I believe Jesus was spending the day with His Father. Maybe He spent a little of personal time with each disciple. Maybe He spent some time with some children. Maybe He spent some of that time making arrangements for the passover supper on Thursday.
Well, I don't know but I feel pretty comfortable with the idea that much of the day was spent in prayer.
I spent some time in prayer this morning for a dentist... exactly at the time he was wrestling with the root system of one of my teeth.
The pain has been pretty intense today but once again nothing like what Jesus would experience in just a few hours.
My Jesus spent lots of time in prayer ... leaving us an example of how to face our every day.
I truly believe that most, if not all, of that day was spent in prayer. I believe Jesus was spending the day with His Father. Maybe He spent a little of personal time with each disciple. Maybe He spent some time with some children. Maybe He spent some of that time making arrangements for the passover supper on Thursday.
Well, I don't know but I feel pretty comfortable with the idea that much of the day was spent in prayer.
I spent some time in prayer this morning for a dentist... exactly at the time he was wrestling with the root system of one of my teeth.
The pain has been pretty intense today but once again nothing like what Jesus would experience in just a few hours.
My Jesus spent lots of time in prayer ... leaving us an example of how to face our every day.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Holy Week...Tuesday
Tomorrow morning I am having a tooth pulled. I hope pulled and not cut, yanked and jerked out of there. I have a feeling the roots will fight to stay put. But I genrally do not do well with teeth extractions and such. So, I have battled to not stress out, reminding myself of the scripture that says "Be anxious for nothing..." but I think my translation says "...except for tooth extractions"
Just a moment ago when I was silently whining to myself and then telling my oldest daughter Toni (I know that's gonna mess with some of you) about my appointment, something pretty heavy occurred to me.
It is Tuesday of Holy week and in a few hours I am having a tooth pulled which may produce some pain and discomfort. I cannot imagine how Jesus was feeling on Tuesday. Just a couple more days to really reach out to the world around Him.... then pain and suffering that has no measure... and why... for me! and for you!
The Bible says in the night he went into the Mount of Olives to pray.
It's Tuesday and the time is indeed short.
Just a moment ago when I was silently whining to myself and then telling my oldest daughter Toni (I know that's gonna mess with some of you) about my appointment, something pretty heavy occurred to me.
It is Tuesday of Holy week and in a few hours I am having a tooth pulled which may produce some pain and discomfort. I cannot imagine how Jesus was feeling on Tuesday. Just a couple more days to really reach out to the world around Him.... then pain and suffering that has no measure... and why... for me! and for you!
The Bible says in the night he went into the Mount of Olives to pray.
It's Tuesday and the time is indeed short.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Holy week...Monday
The Monday after the Sunday of the triumphal entry into Jerusalem. What must Jesus be thinking today. Yesterday he declared the stones were capable of crying out praises to Him if men did not. Some times, I'm afraid I can almost hear stones clearing their throats.
The Lord inhabits the praise of His people. Oh, how we should praise Him!
Yesterday the temple was cleansed as Jesus turned over the money tables. Is there something in my heart ...in your heart... that Jesus needs to turn over, to cleanse you...me...of.
He is teaching every day... can we learn from Him?
His disciples, what are they thinking, they seemed so dazed. His Father, anticipating the hours of turning His face from His Son.
It is Monday and just a few days left before the world is turned upside down.
For you & I, is it much the same? Only a few days left? How much longer, Lord Jesus? How many more days?
Work while it is yet day, for the night is coming!
The Lord inhabits the praise of His people. Oh, how we should praise Him!
Yesterday the temple was cleansed as Jesus turned over the money tables. Is there something in my heart ...in your heart... that Jesus needs to turn over, to cleanse you...me...of.
He is teaching every day... can we learn from Him?
His disciples, what are they thinking, they seemed so dazed. His Father, anticipating the hours of turning His face from His Son.
It is Monday and just a few days left before the world is turned upside down.
For you & I, is it much the same? Only a few days left? How much longer, Lord Jesus? How many more days?
Work while it is yet day, for the night is coming!
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Happy Atheist Day
So, Just wanted to wish every body a Happy Atheist Day!!!
What, you didn't know atheist had their own national day? Well, it is today, April 1st.
Today is "April Fools' Day" right?
And Psalm 14:1 says "The fool has said in his heart, There is no God."
Hope you all have a great day!
What, you didn't know atheist had their own national day? Well, it is today, April 1st.
Today is "April Fools' Day" right?
And Psalm 14:1 says "The fool has said in his heart, There is no God."
Hope you all have a great day!
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