Death--Passion Week

Therefore, because it was the Preparation Day, that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. 32 Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who was crucified with Him. 33 But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. 34 But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. 35 And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you may believe. 36 For these things were done that the Scripture should be fulfilled, "Not one of His bones shall be broken." 37 And again another Scripture says,"They shall look on Him whom they pierced." 38 After this, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the John 19:31-38 (NKJV)

Death...not a subject that people want to talk about or contemplate. Jesus' death was especially gruesome and wholly unfair. To be punished as a criminal and sentenced to death by crucifixion must have been the ultimate humiliation to the one who lived a sinless life. And yet we commemorate--"Yes," commemorate His death by wearing crosses. Outside of Jesus, most of us have never been connected or known a person who was crucified, which makes the whole idea of crucifixion somewhat surreal.

It must be the disconnect from the reality of what happened to Jesus that makes the modern fad of wearing a cross so widespread. Mind you--I'm not bothered by people who want to clearly declare that they have put their faith in Jesus, but I am often confused by the mixed message sent by some celebrities who proudly display the cross as a fashion statement, but desecrate the memory of our Savior's sacrifice by the way they chose to live. I have a cross--occasionally I wear it--generally under my shirt; but, when I wear it I do it in remembrance of Christ's atoning work. If anyone ever sees it, I hope that the profession of my faith is confirmed by the way I live my life!

Make no mistake about it--a cross is a sign of death. It is a symbol of Christ's death, but it also speaks to the crucifixion of my own flesh. My less than noble attitudes--the times when I lack personal integrity--the instances when I fall into temptation--the pull of my flesh that battles with the call of God on my life...all of these things need to die within my life. I need to identify myself with Christ in the daily crucifixion of my desires. According to Jesus--if I want to be one of His disciples, I need to "Deny myself, pick up my cross and follow Him."

Prayer: "Dear heavenly Father, You spoke to us so long ago through the voice of the prophet Isaiah, who said, 'Come let us reason together says the Lord, though your sins be as scarlet they shall be as white as snow.' This was accomplished through the atoning work of Your Son, Jesus. I reflect upon that great work with mixed emotions: I rejoice that my sins are forgiven--I stand in awe of Christ's courage--I weep at memory of Christ's suffering, and I grateful for the sacrifice of death that brought me life. Amen"

The Cross--Passion Week

And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha, 18 where they crucified Him, and two others with Him, one on either side, and Jesus in the center. 19 Now Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross. And the writing was: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. 25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, "Woman, behold your son!" 27 Then He said to the disciple, "Behold your mother!" And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, "I thirst!" 29 Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. 30 So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!" And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. John 19:17-19; 25-30 (NKJV)

It is hard for me to imagine the pain Mary, the mother of Jesus, must have felt while watching the crucifixion of her son unfold. I know that if I was watching the destruction of one of my children happening before my eyes, my grief would be off the chart. Why was all of "this" necessary? (The pain, the humiliation, the sorrow, the betrayal, the hatred, the violence, the tragedy) Perhaps it was necessary in order for God to have the full experience and understanding of what it means to be a human. The Bible tells us that Jesus was tempted in "all ways" as we are. The ultimate temptation was to walk away from the work and the pain of the cross; but, Jesus submitted to the Father, experienced the very worst of what humanity offered, and took on the sins of the world.

If you have ever doubted that the Creator understands you, you can put those doubts to rest. God watched His only begotten Son suffer. He personally felt the impact of each nail that was driven into the hands and feet--He heard every insult and shared in the humiliation and shame--He suffered with each stripe from the whips--He felt the grief that only a parent could feel. Make no mistake about it--God understands you and He understands us.

As the crowds that had gathered for the "Main Event" grew weary of the slow progression, they wandered away--back to their homes--back to their businesses--and back to their mundane lives. As the end of Jesus' life drew to a conclusion, there were only a few soldiers, four women that were close to Jesus, and John, His disciple waiting for the inevitable. Finally, Jesus uttered the words, "It is finished." In that moment of death, as the sins of all mankind came crashing down on Jesus--God the Son experienced and understood everything about sin and its twisting effect upon the human soul. The price for our sin was paid and the human experience of God in the flesh was completed.

Prayer: "Dear heavenly Father, Your word states, 'For God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son, that whoever believes on Him should not perish, but have eternal life.' Thank you for sending Jesus to rescue us. Thank you for paying such a heavy price. Thank you for loving us while we were yet sinners. I shall forever be grateful! Amen"

The Trial--Passion Week

Therefore, when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them, "Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?" 18 For he knew that they had handed Him over because of envy. 19 While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, "Have nothing to do with that just Man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of Him." 20 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. 21 The governor answered and said to them, "Which of the two do you want me to release to you?" They said, "Barabbas!" 22 Pilate said to them, "What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?" They all said to him, "Let Him be crucified!" 23 Then the governor said, "Why, what evil has He done?" But they cried out all the more, saying, "Let Him be crucified!" 24 When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, "I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it." 25 And all the people answered and said, "His blood beon us and on our children." 26 Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified. Matt 27:17-26 (NKJV)

Pilate needed to answer his own question. "What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?" This is the same question that every woman, man and child will need to answer at some point in time. The way we answer this question will be the most important decision we ever make. It has eternal implications. When this chapter of our existence comes to an end and the next chapter begins, we will hear the voice of Jesus say one of two things: "Enter, thou good and faithful servant," or, "Depart from me, I never knew you." It all boils down to this pivotal decision: "What will you do with Jesus?"

When Jesus was brought before Pilate to be examined and tried, it became abundantly clear to Pilate that Jesus was an innocent man. A political problem--for sure--but not a criminal. He declared to the angry mob, that had been organized and incited to anger by the religious leaders of the Jews, "I find this man innocent!" He made this same declaration two more times, but he could not mollify the crowd before him. Then, in spite of his wife's warning, and in spite of knowing that Jesus was an innocent man, Pilate decided to do what was politically expedient and delivered Jesus to be crucified.

Pilate washed his hands before the mob and said, "I am innocent of the blood of this just Person." But, he was not innocent of Jesus' blood. The Jewish leaders correctly accessed the situation when they said to Pilate, "Only you have the authority to execute a criminal."  Pilate caved under the political pressure and did the wrong thing. Living in a day of political correctness, the Church is coming under more and more pressure from an angry, belligerent culture that is demanding our compliance. The culture is offended that we would dare call sin..."sin." We are faced with a crucial decision: Will we cave in to the pressure or will we stand by our convictions?

Prayer: "Dear heavenly Father, I am concerned that the secular culture that surrounds the church is beginning to change the way Your people think. At the very least they are stilling our voice with the threat of persecution. I pray that You would give the Church a new burst of courage. Courage to speak the truth in love--courage to stand by the clear truths of Your Word--courage to stand by their convictions. May we not cave in to the pressure of political correctness, but may we stand true until we hear Your voice saying, 'welcome, thou good and faithful servant.' Amen"

Gethsemane--Passion Week

Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, "Sit here while I go and pray over there." 37 And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. 38 Then He said to them, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me." 39 He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, "O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will." 40 Then He came to the disciples and found them asleep, and said to Peter, "What? Could you not watch with Me one hour? 41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." 42 Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, "O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done." 43 And He came and found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy. 44 So He left them, went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. 45 Then He came to His disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand." Matt 26:36-46 (NKJV)

Submission...in sports it means that you are "tapping out." Which is an acknowledgment that you lost, you are giving up, you are throwing in the towel and you are surrendering. Generally speaking of sports, a team or a player does not submit, but continues to "fight" until the end of the game regardless of the score. Submission is not respected. Submission also happens to be one of those "things" that goes against the grain of our human nature. We like to be in control--we like to have things our way--we like to be right--and we prefer others submitting to us rather than the other way around.

It has been said that, "True submission is birthed at the point of disagreement." In other words, as long as we are flowing and going the same direction, we are simply in agreement. When we disagree as how to proceed forward, that is when true submission has the opportunity to be exercised; because, if no-one is willing to submit, we can no longer walk together in unity or progress. In the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus demonstrated true submission. He knew what was going to happen to Him--He had already told His disciples about it. He knew that the ordeal was going to be heartbreaking, difficult, painful, humiliating and tragic.

He prayed: "Father, if possible let this cup pass from me, never-the-less, Your will be done." God's plan of salvation for mankind came down to this pivotal moment. All the forces in the universe, both for good and evil, was focused on this event. The weight of it all crushed Jesus to the ground and He sweat, as it were, great drops of blood. He even told His disciples: "My soul is heavy to the point of death." There, in a garden of darkness and great despair Jesus submitted to the Father. This is the reason Jesus has been given a name above all other names, and that at the name of Jesus, "Every knee will bow and tongue confess that Jesus is Lord!" 

Prayer: "Dear heavenly Father, there is a part of me that states, 'I want to be like Jesus." But, when I consider His suffering and sacrifice, I realize that the price is steep. Too often I find myself wanting the character of Christ without a willingness to pay the price to attain it. Change my heart O God, and renew a right spirit within me. I know that I'm hanging on to me--but, I need to be more like You. Please continue to work in my life and with Your help may I submit myself to the process. Amen"

Servant King--Passion Week

Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, 4 rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. 5 After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. 6 Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, "Lord, are You washing my feet?" 7 Jesus answered and said to him, "What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this." 8 Peter said to Him, "You shall never wash my feet!" Jesus answered him, "If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me." 9 Simon Peter said to Him, "Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!" 10 Jesus said to him, "He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you." 11 For He knew who would betray Him; therefore He said, "You are not all clean." 12 So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. 16 Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. John 13:3-17 (NKJV)

When I entered the room my nose was assaulted by an overpowering odor. I was getting ready to teach a room crammed full of about 50 youth and it seemed as if someone needed a bath. I sat on my stool, looked around the room--everyone looked fairly clean--and opened in prayer. When I was through, I looked up and one of the girls was raising her hand. She was a refreshingly truthful person who often spoke the truth before she thought about the effect of her words. She went after the elephant in the room. She said, "Something or someone really stinks in this room--it is really bad!" Everyone burst out laughing and then they began to smell one another. (This is not the recommended way to start a youth service at church) One of the guys yelled, "I found the source! It's Mark's shoes...they are really bad!" Mark's sister then spoke up, "I told him that his shoes smelled bad--if fact, they have made our home smell bad." Mark just laughed... And we promptly threw his shoes out of the room!

Shoes...socks...feet, not generally the body part that we spend much time lavishing care upon. Over time, warts, bunions, fungus, calluses make our feet fairly undesirable. Before Jesus shared the last supper with his disciples, he made sure that there were no underlying smells coming from His disciple's feet. He took the towel, the bowl of water and knelt before His disciples and began to wash their feet. PLEASE UNDERSTAND--this is God knelling before men tending to a very lowly task. Jesus washed the feet of Judas who would betray Him--the feet of Peter who would deny that he knew Jesus--and the feet of the rest of the disciples who would scatter and hide.

What lessons can we learn from our Servant King? That we should serve the needs of others even if they haven't earned the right. That there is no ministry beneath us. That God's grace is greater than our sins. That it is better to eat with clean feet! Jesus set a high standard for leadership in His Kingdom. "If you want to be great in God's Kingdom, learn to be the servant of all!"

Prayer: "Dear heavenly Father, Your Son, Jesus, set the bar high for all who say that they want to be like Jesus. He washed the feet of His disciples with the full knowledge that they were not going to stand up for Him. Even in the circumstances leading up to His death, He was putting the needs of others before His own needs. Lord, create a servant's heart in me--that I would unilaterally serve the needs of others--even those that do not like me. May I bring glory to Your name by following the example of Your Son. Thank you for Your love. Amen"

Stones

They threw their own clothes on the colt, and they set Jesus on him. And as He went, many spread their clothes on the road. Then, as He was now drawing near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen, saying: "'Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!' Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" And some of the Pharisees called to Him from the crowd, "Teacher, rebuke Your disciples." But He answered and said to them, "I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out." Luke 19:35-40 (NKJV)

Which crowd would I have been a part of if I had been alive and living in Jerusalem on the day that Jesus came riding into town? Would I have been like the Pharisees who were jealous and critical, or would I have joined the crowds that ran into the streets with shouts of praise? I think I have an answer: "I would have been a part of the crazy worshipers!" Here is my reasoning: Jesus still has His critics--those that despise Him and all of those that worship Him. He also has a world-wide group of crazy worshipers, called "The Church," and we are still extolling His name with passion!!

What a day of rejoicing that must have been for the city of Jerusalem. They had suffered long under the thumb of the Roman Empire and the "King of the Jews" had just arrived. After witnessing Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead--they were fully convinced that Jesus could handle the Romans. So, when Jesus came riding into the city, they turned it into a celebration. It started with a parade and ended with a worship service!

The Pharisees did not like it...not even a little bit. Not only did they want to kill Jesus, they even talked about killing Lazarus, the walking miracle. They were fearful that Jesus was going to replace them, or that maybe Jesus would lead a rebellion against the Romans and then they would all die. They expressed their disdain of the parade and party to Jesus. "Tell them to stop," they argued. Jesus said, "I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out." We have no recorded answer from the Pharisees. Perhaps they were afraid of earth quakes as well.

Prayer: "Dear heavenly Father, may my lips never be stilled from praising You. As long as I have breath I plan to praise Your Holy and Great Name. I'm not going to wait for the rocks to cry out--and why should I? You have been good to me. You have given me life and that more abundant. You have paid the price for my sin and my heart is whiter than snow. Hosanna! Blessed be the Name of the Lord! Amen"

Blessed Hope

Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You." Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again." Martha said to Him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day." Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?" She said to Him, "Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world." John 11:21-27 (NKJV)

Paul refers to the resurrection of Believers as the "Blessed Hope." It is hope that causes us to believe that there is a life (a better life) waiting for us on the other side of death. A well-known actress (Valerie Harper) was recently diagnosed with terminal cancer. She has an aggressive tumor in her brain and has been given three months to live. When a reporter asked her about her prognosis, she had a couple of great insights. She said, "I plan to live until the moment that I die; and as far as my terminal prognosis is concerned, everyone is terminal."

She is right, everyone is going to die sooner or later. With such a gloomy prognosis for all of us, we need a "Blessed Hope!" It would be shear nonsense to have hope in the face of death's inevitability without any evidence to the contrary. We have such evidence. Just shortly before Jesus was Himself, crucified and raised from the dead, He demonstrated His power over death by calling forth His friend Lazarus who had been dead for days.

Earlier, Jesus had asked Martha an important question: "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live...Do you believe this?" It would be hard for just about anyone to believe such a thing unless the person posing the question was Jesus. My hope for a future beyond this life--my hope for my family (both those that have gone on before me and those that are following)--my hope for my friends (who are dear to me)--my hope for Believers around the world...it all comes down to Jesus. Let me answer the question as did Martha, "Yes, Jesus, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God; and when I leave this body behind, I will be with You."

Prayer: "Dear heavenly Father, I do morn over the loss of many friends and family members who have died. But for the Blessed Hope I would be in despair. You are the author and the finisher of my faith and I have come to trust in You. You do not disappoint, but exceed all that I could ask or hope for in a Savior. Thank you for being closer than a brother. Thank you for life beyond the door of death. Thank you for life! Amen"