Pauls speaks of the reality of the Christian life," We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed." How can we know for sure? Only because Jesus experienced all of this for us so that we wouldn’t have to.
Jesus was crushed for our iniqities.
Jesus' sweat turned into blood in despair.
Jesus was forsaken on the cross.
Jesus was destroyed in death.
All for His glory and on our behalf.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Thursday, April 02, 2009
Holy Week
Anticipation! Preparation! Celebration!
Every Jewish family was busier than usual this week preparing their home, their family, and their hearts for Passover. Passover was the annual celebration of God’s redemption of His people out of slavery from Egypt. The Rabbis taught that each generation must regard itself as having been personally delivered and redeemed. Therefore, the preparation was spiritual as well as practical. Each family was to eliminate even the smallest morsel of yeast (a symbol of impurity) from their home. And they were to carefully choose a sacrificial lamb without blemish. The celebration begins with the youngest child asking the question, “Why is this night different from all other nights?” Then the father would recount God’s marvelous works on behalf of His people.
Though many were too busy to notice, this particular Passover week God was unfolding a new layer of redemption. While lambs were chosen for the feast, Jesus entered Jerusalem as the Passover lamb who would die for the redemption of mankind. While people were purging every last piece of impurity, the chief priests were seeking how to betray Jesus and put Him to death. We see Jesus willing to be humble, broken, and betrayed because He knew that He was the ultimate Passover lamb whose sacrifice would redeem us.
As you reflect on this week, spend some time preparing your heart through personal confession of impurity. Anticipate meeting with God again as you retell the story of Jesus. Celebrate the freedom, forgiveness and redemption that we possess because Jesus was our perfect Passover lamb. This week is different from all other weeks because of God’s marvelous work on our behalf.
Every Jewish family was busier than usual this week preparing their home, their family, and their hearts for Passover. Passover was the annual celebration of God’s redemption of His people out of slavery from Egypt. The Rabbis taught that each generation must regard itself as having been personally delivered and redeemed. Therefore, the preparation was spiritual as well as practical. Each family was to eliminate even the smallest morsel of yeast (a symbol of impurity) from their home. And they were to carefully choose a sacrificial lamb without blemish. The celebration begins with the youngest child asking the question, “Why is this night different from all other nights?” Then the father would recount God’s marvelous works on behalf of His people.
Though many were too busy to notice, this particular Passover week God was unfolding a new layer of redemption. While lambs were chosen for the feast, Jesus entered Jerusalem as the Passover lamb who would die for the redemption of mankind. While people were purging every last piece of impurity, the chief priests were seeking how to betray Jesus and put Him to death. We see Jesus willing to be humble, broken, and betrayed because He knew that He was the ultimate Passover lamb whose sacrifice would redeem us.
As you reflect on this week, spend some time preparing your heart through personal confession of impurity. Anticipate meeting with God again as you retell the story of Jesus. Celebrate the freedom, forgiveness and redemption that we possess because Jesus was our perfect Passover lamb. This week is different from all other weeks because of God’s marvelous work on our behalf.
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