Holy not Oldie Week

The problem with reading a book we know the ending of, or watching a game we know the final score for, or viewing a movie we’ve seen before is that we can lose focus and excitement when engaging with it. This is the danger we all face once again walking through one of the most significant weeks on the calendar for our faith—Holy Week. This is the week we remember Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection.

Please don’t miss the strong emotions that are evident in the accounts of this week in the Bible. Since we all seek someone or something we can trust in, when our trust is found to be wrongly placed our emotions can run from anger to betrayal. That is the challenge of Jesus’ disciples before as they stumble through this week dazed by the events that are taking place around them.

Some of us may be having the same challenges in our spiritual lives right now. We all wonder, if not doubt, the trustworthiness of an all powerful good God when bad things happen to us. We even hear this from Bible writers— “Righteous are You, O LORD, that I would plead my case with You; Indeed I would discuss matters of justice with You: Why has the way of the wicked prospered? Why are all those who deal in treachery at ease?” (Jeremiah 12:1). But we also see the strength of those who are challenged by God’s actions expressing a strength of faith that we all need—“Though He slay me, I will hope in Him Nevertheless I will argue my ways before Him” (Job 13:15). How do we keep our faith through trying times? Here are a few insights on how to keep from doubting the one we should always trust:

1. Remember the faithfulness of God in the good times (Psalm 63:6-8).
2. Remember His promise that everything that touches us He would use for ‘good’ (Romans 8:28).
3. Respond in faith with ‘joy’—a clear byproduct of trust (James 1:2).
4. Remember that after the pain of the crucifixion comes the exhilaration of the resurrection.

“When you get to your wits end you’ll find God lives there.”

Business Report

What if you were living in the final week of Jesus’ life?

In a stunning move that has caught many in the business world by surprise, Lamb Corporation’s CEO Jesus Christ announced today that He would be sacrificing his company and his vast personal wealth in order to fully pay off the world debt that has burdened every living person. The announcement was made this evening in a board meeting as Mr. Christ told the privately held company’s twelve board members that his sacrifice was the only one that could pay the great debt of the world. Needless to say each board member expressed great surprise at this decision as they spoke with reporters afterwards. The board members’ comments ranged from disbelief to shock, with one board member stating off record that the move was a waste of the corporation’s great profit potential and that he was now forced to take a counter move to stop this action.

Simon Peter, a prominent board member, stated that he sensed the banquet and meeting was going to be different than those of the past when Mr. Christ insisted on washing each of the board members’ hands, which is considered the dirtiest part of the body, as they entered the banquet hall. The subservient act is usually done by a banquet attendant and when Mr. Peter protested he was told that his submission was mandatory to truly be a part of the Lamb’s board.

Mr. Christ’s personal sacrifice will immediately sink the once prominent CEO into total poverty. Throughout the day other prominent business, civic, and religious leaders have criticized Mr. Christ’s actions using such descriptive as ‘reckless,’ ‘media showboating,’ and ‘a dangerous example for other leaders.’ The consensus of the group, though, is that Mr. Christ’s bankruptcy is a clear indication of his unstableness and a well deserved judgment for his own shortcomings. When told of these comments by a reporter Mr. Christ responded by quoting the Old Testament prophet Isaiah (53:4), “Surely he has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.”

Breaking News

What if you were living in the final week of Jesus’ life?

News outlets in Jerusalem are reporting that a Rabbi, Jewish teacher, has just staged a one man
riot in Judaism’s holiest site, a few days before one of their holiest days. Today the popular but radical Rabbi Jesus of Nazareth entered the Temple in Jerusalem and started overturning sales booths and driving out sales representatives of the major worship supply companies. Eyewitnesses report that the Rabbi became enraged by what he viewed as the commercialization of the Temple and its worship experience, quickly fashioned a whip, and began whipping the sales associates driving them out of the Temple.

No arrests were made but it is clear from the comments of Temple officials and other Jewish leaders that action would be taken soon to deal with the Rabbi. Some are suggesting that the popularity of the Rabbi, whose entry into the city a few days ago caused an impromptu parade of adoration to occur, is the only reason why no arrests were made today. A source who is close to both the Rabbi and Jewish leaders suggests that this will all change after the Passover observance later this week.

We will keep you updated, but for more details on this event see your Bible—Mark 11:15-26.

Movement Towards The Cross

How are you investing this week? For most Christians around the world this is “Holy Week.” The designation refers to the fact that this was the final week in Jesus’ movement towards the cross in order to die for us. Because Christians view this as the most significant week in human history we have come to call it by a phrase that communicates its significance.

Biblically the week begins with Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem as many tossed before Him (as He rode on a donkey) palm branches as an act of honor (Zechariah 9:9; Mark 11:10). But less than a week later these same people were crying for His death, Jesus was crucified and buried, but rose again on Sunday.

To fully experience the joy of Resurrection Sunday we must first enter into the pain of this Holy Week. Here are a few suggestions on how to invest wisely in this week:

·    Pray that the Lord will make this week ‘real’ to you.

·    Take some time daily to read over the biblical accounts of the events that occurred this week (Mark 11—16).

·    Spend time in prayerful contemplation of what Jesus did for us through His sacrifice (Romans 8:32—35).

·    As Jesus gave up heaven’s glory in order to give His life for us (Phillipians 2:5—8), so also enter into such God honoring sacrifice by giving up something dear to you this week.

·    Join us Friday evening for our Good Friday worship service.

“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.”

Galatians 6:7