Maundy Thursday - Scripture Reading

John 13 New Living Translation

Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet

13 Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end. 2 It was time for supper, and the devil had already prompted Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. 4 So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him.

6 When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”

7 Jesus replied, “You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will.”

8 “No,” Peter protested, “you will never ever wash my feet!”

Jesus replied, “Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me.”

9 Simon Peter exclaimed, “Then wash my hands and head as well, Lord, not just my feet!”

10 Jesus replied, “A person who has bathed all over does not need to wash, except for the feet, to be entirely clean. And you disciples are clean, but not all of you.” 11 For Jesus knew who would betray him. That is what he meant when he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

12 After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? 13 You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. 15 I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. 16 I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. 17 Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.

Palm Sunday Message - A Simple Message

Today is Palm Sunday. Christians around the world are celebrating the day when Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem to fulfill the prophecy given to the Israelites hundreds of years earlier. This day marks the beginning of Holy Week. It is a week that marks the trial, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. 

When you think about this week, you cannot help but reflect on the life of Jesus. His life began very humbly and without much fanfare. He wasn’t born a son of a monarch or a king. His birth was, for the most part, closer to the beginnings of a child born into poverty. His first bed was an ornate crib or bassinet. It was a manger, a feeding trough for animals, filled with rough straw. Instead of servants, Jesus had smelly farm animals around him. For guards, he was protected by shepherds who came to see the miracle birth. 

All throughout his life, Jesus didn’t seek out notoriety or fame. His life was simple, but left such a deep impression on not only those who knew him firsthand but also those who follow him today. His life, no matter how simple, provided us with the way to the Father and showed us His love through the life, death and resurrection of His son. No event in history comes close to making such a profound mark in the lives of so many.

When he entered Jerusalem, people cheered him and laid their coats and palm fronds down in front of him. He didn’t come into the city in a triumphant chariot with a spear in his hand nor did he come astride a mighty warhorse brandishing a sword. His eyes and heart weren’t filled with fire and war, but, rather, with love for those around him.

In chapter twelve of the Gospel of John, John writes, “The next day, the news that Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem swept through the city. A large crowd of Passover visitors took palm branches and went down the road to meet him. They shouted, ‘Praise God! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hail to the King of Israel!’ Jesus found a young donkey and rode on it, fulfilling the prophecy that said: ‘Don’t be afraid, people of Jerusalem. Look, your King is coming, riding on a donkey’s colt.’ His disciples didn’t understand at the time that this was a fulfillment of prophecy. But after Jesus entered into his glory, they remembered what had happened and realized that these things had been written about him.”   

Jesus came into the city on the back of a young donkey. For most, the donkey is a humble beast of burden. Warriors would never ride a donkey or even consider it as a mode of transportation. It would be beneath them and they would rather walk than ride a donkey. 

Jesus didn’t come into this world to subdue it with a sword or spear. He came to show the world love and to be the perfect sacrifice for each of us. His life is our example of how we should live daily.

In chapter eleven of John’s Gospel, Jesus tells Martha, the sister of Lazarus, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?”

His message was clear and remains relevant with each generation thereafter. The question that Jesus is asking you is plain and simple. Do you believe this truth?

If you haven’t received Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord, today is that day. He has given you the simple truth and isn’t forcing you to accept it. Jesus doesn’t storm into your life and force you into believing. He stands patiently waiting for you and whispers to your heart softly and tenderly.

I ask you to listen and take those first steps to him. You will be so glad you did. When you walk with the Lord daily, you have nothing to fear and can stand firm in His grace.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Holy Week

Let us always remember the meaning of this week. After entering Jerusalem to the cheers of all those present, Jesus will be lead to his death on a a cross to the jeers of those same people. 

From death, Jesus became the firstborn of the death and, through his sacrifice, we received the gift of life.

Revelation 1:4-6 New Living Translation (NLT)

John’s Greeting to the Seven Churches

4 This letter is from John to the seven churches in the province of Asia.[a]

Grace and peace to you from the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come; from the sevenfold Spirit[b] before his throne; 5 and from Jesus Christ. He is the faithful witness to these things, the first to rise from the dead, and the ruler of all the kings of the world.

All glory to him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by shedding his blood for us. 6 He has made us a Kingdom of priests for God his Father. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.

Footnotes:

1. 1:4a Asia was a Roman province in what is now western Turkey.
2. 1:4b Greek the seven spirits.

He will Swallow up Death Forever!

He will swallow up death forever! The Sovereign LORD will wipe away all tears. He will remove forever all insults and mockery against his land and people. The LORD has spoken!
Isaiah 25:8 NLT

Holy Week Scripture - Romans 8:11

The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.
Romans 8:11 NLT

Holy Week - Scriptures

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Matthew 20:28 New Living Translation (NLT)