Holy Thursday -- When the Greatest Became Our Servant

We're in the throes of the most unlikely Holy Week of our lives. We won't be attending church during this sacred time. But, nonetheless, I've done my best to keep the "holy" in the Lenten season and Holy Week. I've savored the oddities -- meeting and praying with others via Zoom, joining with others in 3:00 pm daily prayers, fasting and even, participating with Pope Francis when he gave an "Extraordinary Urbi et Orbi" Blessing to the world. It was awe-inspiring to see and experience.

This blessing is usually offered on Christmas Day and Easter Sunday. The popes appear on a balcony overlooking St. Peter's Square at the Vatican that is crammed with people. A brief address is given and a blessing is offered. I have been to St. Peter's Square twice for the Wednesday General Audience, once, with my husband and several years later with dear friends. The square is crowded with enthusiastic crowds. The Pope gives a brief address, offers a blessing, then gets into his Popemobile and makes some laps around St. Peter's Square. Along the way, he reaches out to the occasional baby that is being lifted up for a blessing. (This photo was taken from where we stood.)

On Friday, March 27th, the scene was completely different. No crowds. Empty square. Night was falling and it was raining. The normal pomp and ceremony of a papal event was stripped away. Alone, Pope Francis entered St. Peter's Square. He stood as an imperfect, humble priest, shepherding and praying to God on behalf of a desperate, frightened flock. (2nd photo)

He reminded us that our Lord Jesus should always be our "normal" for He is our hope and stay. A man said he and his wife had been praying for a return to normal during this time. After Pope Francis' actions on that Friday, the man's wife said the pandemic is revealing the need not to pray for a return to normal. They wanted to pray for something else -- conversion, because normal, the way life was before, will no longer do. God has not abandoned us. As Pope Francis said, "Where God is, there is life." I know that LIFE!

Today we recall Thursday of Holy Week when Jesus modeled what a Servant Leader looks like (or, should look like). Jesus -- the greatest of ALL, was servant of ALL, as He washed His disciples’ feet. He, with the towel and basin, is KING of the universe. The same hands that shaped the earth, the stars and the moon, washed away grime and filth. He wanted His disciples to know how much He loved them. Jesus knew they were about to betray and deny Him, yet He loved and served them. Such extravagant love – such excessive SERVICE.

Jesus explained why He served them: “I’m setting an example for you. You should do what I have done to you.” Jesus called them to serve, to carry on His ministry of loving and caring for people. Christ talked the talk and walked the walk. He led by example. Such love -- such service! Surely we have those in our lives who cause irritation to us -- especially in this time of "cozying up" with our families. Doesn’t it make us aware that He Who was perfect and knew no sin, could set the example for us on how to deal with the onery and irritating ones in our lives? To be like Him, we SERVE. We serve by loving, sharing and giving, for in that serving, we become like Him.

After the Last Supper, the apostles and Jesus journeyed to the Garden of Gethsemane where He asked them to pray. There He experienced His agony. Holy Thursday has a special place for me as I recall my trip to Israel and my visit to the Garden of Gethsemane. We were awed by the garden's beauty, but overcome with emotion at the rock where it is said that Jesus prayed “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” (Matt 26:37). And to pray those words ourselves, “Lord let this situation, pain, fear, agony – pass from me, NEVERTHELESS, not my will but Yours be done.". Isn't that how we should be offering up our prayers in these times that we are in right now?

Jesus prepared His disciples to carry on. Pope Francis encouraged us to carry on. I'm sure that is Jesus’ message to us, too! Today, we have the opportunity to be servants to our family who are under our roofs and servants to others outside our homes by offering our words of support and any actions that could help them. What an incredible flow of forgiveness, mercy, love, servitude and sacrifice from Jesus then, and continues to flow to us and flow through us to others today. Oh Lord, may we be your servants today -- to follow, serve and love You, and others, as You served and loved.

Spy Wednesday of Holy Week

Here in my community, it only slightly looks like Easter is near. Here in my community, it only slightly looks like Easter is near. There are a few cardboard signs and metal crosses in lawns. What I prominently see are white ribbons on neighbors’ trees. The word spread for us to tie white ribbons on our trees to show our appreciation to those who are front-liners in this pandemic. I’ve also seen red ribbons around the doorposts of many homes that represent the blood of Jesus’ protecting them. This is definitely not like any Easter we’ve ever known. But, lest we think it’s cancelled or even long for the “good ole days” – Easter has NOT changed. And, neither has the reason for the season. Christ lived, healed, saved, was brutally murdered, buried and came back to life and lives forevermore. Those are the facts that remain. He lives and is here with us right now!

But let’s get it straight. It does seem strange, surreal – in fact, almost unbelievable that we are experiencing this Holy Week like this. But, no less unbelievable in what Jesus experienced this week. On this day, things started really amping up for His final days. His short 33 years of life on this earth were expeditiously coming to a close.

Jesus spent this day in Bethany. It had been two exhausting days in Jerusalem and tomorrow would be the Passover. Bethany is where Lazarus and his two sisters, Mary and Martha lived. They were close friends of Jesus. and probably hosted Jesus and the disciples. John 12:1-9 tells us that it was on this day that Mary anointed Jesus with costly perfumed oil. Judas (same guy plotting to betray Jesus) remarks to Jesus: “Why this waste? This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.” We know Judas was the money keeper for Jesus and the disciples and he sure wasn’t thinking about the poor, but about His own schemes. Jesus rebuked him and said Mary anointed Him for his burial

Imagine Jesus’ thoughts on this day. Wednesday meant one day closer to His suffering and crucifixion. This day was called “Spy Wednesday” because it was on this Wednesday before the crucifixion that Judas conspired to hand Jesus over to the chief priests. “What will you give me if I betray Jesus to you?” They counted out thirty silver coins and gave them to him. From then on Judas watched for a good chance to hand Jesus over to them. (Matthew 26:14)

Jesus spent this day in Bethany. It had been two exhausting days in Jerusalem and tomorrow would be the Passover. Bethany is where Lazarus and his two sisters, Mary and Martha lived. They were close friends of Jesus. and probably hosted Jesus and the disciples. John 12:1-9 tells us that it was on this day that Mary anointed Jesus with costly perfumed oil. Judas (same guy plotting to betray Jesus) remarks to Jesus: “Why this waste? This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.” We know Judas was the money keeper for Jesus and the disciples and he sure wasn’t thinking about the poor, but about His own schemes. Jesus rebuked him and said Mary anointed Him for his burial

I'm literally walking with Jesus this week. And, hopefully you've joined hands with me and we're walking this journey together.
Somehow I think this week is just what the doctor (rather, God) ordered. We need a rescuer. And, His name is Jesus Christ. I'm thinking that God is loudly declaring: "STOP! This is My beloved Son in Whom I am well pleased! And You should be pleased right along with Me! Pay attention to Him. Pay attention to what He did for you. This is the answer to EVERYTHING that you need.

This week I went to a doctor's appointment. I thought to myself that it feels like a Sunday -- a Sabbath day because there were so fewer cars out and about. Just maybe God called this time of "essential" services -- a Sabbath for us to slow down and think about He Who is the MOST ESSENTIAL in our lives.

We are walking with Jesus on His journey to Calvary. With great gratitude, we remember Jesus because of Who He was and what He did for us. All of humanity – ALL OF US -- were cursed and doomed to death, but Jesus assumed the guilt of humanity. Imagine that heavy load He carried on this Holy Wednesday. He must have been mustering up every fiber of His strength to go the distance to the cross that awaited Him. The cross – that would symbolize an emergency rescue – it would forever represent rescuing humanity for all time. How could we not stop, listen, and express so much gratitude for our rescue? Yes, He is our "Rescue Story"!

Thank you, Zach Williams, for putting our "Rescue Story" to words and song! May it bless you today! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Yr48Berkqc

The Twilight Zone on the Monday of Holy Week

Yesterday was a most unusual Palm Sunday and 25th birthday celebration with my grandson. I wasn’t at church and I wasn’t in Austin celebrating with my family. But, I was still present for both. I watched four beautiful church and mass celebrations via livestream and I was on FaceTime with my family. The day before, my Canadian cousin FaceTimed me so I could meet her two-year-old foster child. Tonight, and tomorrow night I will be on Zoom calls which provides for many of us to see each other, be together – while apart. Isn’t this something?

It is amazing to be in tumultuous yet tremendous times and be provided with far greater innovations than what any other generation has ever experienced when they encountered plagues, epidemics and pandemics. I’m providing a little motivation for us, lest we forget to be grateful for the blessings we have been afforded.

In the 60s there was a TV series called “The Twilight Zone”.Rod Serling welcomed us on a journey into the Twilight Zone. Each episode presented different stories where characters found themselves dealing with disturbing or unusual events, an experience described as "entering the Twilight Zone". It often had a surprise ending and a moral. Now, the phrase “twilight zone is used to describe surreal experiences -- like these surreal times we are in today.

Speaking of surreal, I think about Monday of this most blessed Holy Week of our Lord’s passion. The predominate happening on this day was Jesus chasing out the money changers from the temple. He was on purpose with every act, healing, and teaching. If we knew it was our final week of life, wouldn’t we be taking care of “loose ends”, like getting some things right that were very wrong? Wouldn’t we be giving family and friends some of our wisdom from life, encouraging and giving clear thought-out messages to help them carry on? If He knew He would soon lay down His life for us, then wouldn’t He make sure that everything He did was for our good to be used as visual references for us to follow?

On this day of Holy Week, Jesus returned to Jerusalem and came upon the shameful, greedy practices at the Temple. He was so passionate about His Father’s House of Prayer being abused. Formerly, it had been where the blind and lame came when they heard Jesus was in the Temple. As the children saw Jesus standing there and teaching, they began to shout again, “Hosanna, to the Son of David.”

On this Holy Monday, He cleansed the temple. Back to the “surreal” time we are in right now. The churches, temples, and synagogues have been cleansed, so to speak. Not only are the stores inside many of the mega churches closed, but so are the places of worship – everywhere. My take on this season that we’re in – is God is setting things straight – setting His people straight – getting His house in order. That the principal thing isn’t really about the church building. It is about His Body – THE CHURCH – being set right. Getting down to the nitty gritty of what really is most important to Him. Jesus will soon come back for His bride without a spot or wrinkle or blemish. He cares more about us than He does brick and mortar.

Today He desires to cleanse us and purify our hearts and minds so that we are more like Him – in our thoughts, our words and our actions. Maybe, this surreal time is about our Sovereign Lord getting His Body in shape for bringing the family home – sooner than later. Today I take this message personally. It is taking this cleansing of the temple as cleansing of my temple. “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own.” (1 Corinthians 10:19) The Lord cares more about the “stuff” that has cluttered up Who we are and Whose we are. It’s time to get the temple squeaky clean! This Monday of Holy Week is a really good day for cleaning house!

Shhh! Please Don't Tell Me a Secret!

Please don't tell me a secret. It's just so hard to keep it to myself. I have been known to give away a surprise party before the party in a careless moment of unintentionality. I may have been the kid that went into stealth mode and opened all my Christmas presents and rewrapped them unbeknownst to my mom.

So, I'm in good company with those who couldn't keep it to themselves about Jesus healing a deaf man AFTER He told them to keep it quiet. I would have been one of those, I'm sure. So, while I hope I’d do better than the guys who were healed by Jesus if I were in their situation, I can surely relate. “He ordered them not to tell anyone. But the more He ordered them not to, the more they proclaimed it.” (Mark 7:36)

There were times when it didn’t matter to Jesus if the news was publicized – all the better! But there were good reasons why He didn't want His miracles publicized some of the time. The leper couldn’t keep the good news to himself when Jesus healed him. Mark 1:45 says: “It was impossible for Jesus to enter a town openly. He remained outside in deserted places.” If the broadcast of the miracle would draw people in to hear His teaching, all to the good. If the broadcast of the miracle only caused a mob scene who misunderstood His mission and purpose, it was useless. (Mark 8:36).

Jesus didn’t come to be an earthly king. He knew that the more famous He became, the more jealous those in power would become. Jesus seemed to be good at "stealth-mode". He kept the full Truth of His divine identity mostly quiet (despite the bad secret-keepers) until God’s plan of Jesus’ passion and resurrection could be realized over the events of Holy Week. We're into week two of Lent -- and I can't keep it a secret about my Savior and the price He paid for me.

We awkward secret-keepers don’t have to worry anymore. With the resurrection, we are witnesses not to just a small piece, but to the fulfillment of God’s plan of salvation. Secrecy is no longer needed. Now we can shout it from the rooftops how Jesus has healed us from our own blindness and deafness and invisible inner leprosies. It’s all too good to keep to ourselves. Whew! That’s good news for me…..and the good news I endeavor to shout from the rooftops (er…social media) every day!

At last…I don’t have to keep it a secret, but God bless those who still have to keep this Good News to themselves in many countries in our world. Lord, I pray for those in harms way because they don’t want to have to keep YOU a secret any longer!

It's Hump Day aka Holy Wednesday of Holy Week

In the workplace, we call Wednesdays "Hump Day". That’s because it's smack dab in the middle of our work week and, HALLELUJAH, the weekend is in sight! Just two more days and it’s the weekend! Whoohoo!

But, imagine Jesus’ thoughts on this day. Wednesday meant one day closer to His suffering and crucifixion. This day is also called “Spy Wednesday” because it was on this Wednesday that Judas conspired to hand Jesus over to the chief priests. “What will you give me if I betray Jesus to you?” They counted out thirty silver coins and gave them to him. From then on Judas watched for a good chance to hand Jesus over to them. (Matthew 26:14). How could he -- after he had witnessed Love-in-action and so many miracles, signs, and wonders of Jesus?

I’m back home here in Frisco. It’s Holy Week, but there are few symbols and signs that Easter is upon us. Even at our local stores -- Easter décor is pretty slim pickin’s. To think that just four months ago, our homes were over-embellished with Christmas décor, and then, EASTER, zilch - nada! There is little to no resemblance to the Christmas extravagance. Easter comes in almost unnoticed. Like this day, Silent Wednesday.

But extravagance and partying aren't what we do when someone we love is facing death. Many of us started on Ash Wednesday to welcome Lent and go more introspective to ponder, not just the sacrifice Christ made by leaving heaven's glories to become one of us, but to walk side-by-side with Him on His journey to Calvary. No fanfare is needed. With gratitude, we remember Jesus because of Who He was and what He did. All of humanity was cursed and doomed to death, but during the week of Easter, Jesus assumed the guilt of humanity. Imagine that heavy load He carried on this Holy Wednesday. He must have been mustering up every fiber of His being to go the distance to the cross that awaited Him.

From the cross to the grave to life is the grandest celebration of all because His death means life everlasting for you and me. Yes, my friends, without Easter, we would have no hope for today or tomorrow. So, how big is Easter? Oh, it's only the answer to pretty much EVERYTHING!!! So let the celebrations BEGIN!!

Spy Wednesday - Silent Wednesday of Holy Week

In the workplace, we call Wednesday "Hump Day". That’s because it's smack dab in the middle of our work week and, HALLELUJAH, the weekend is in sight! Imagine Jesus’ thoughts on this day. Wednesday meant one day closer to His suffering and crucifixion. This day was called “Spy Wednesday” because it was on this Wednesday before the crucifixion that Judas conspired to hand Jesus over to the chief priests. “What will you give me if I betray Jesus to you?” They counted out thirty silver coins and gave them to him. From then on Judas watched for a good chance to hand Jesus over to them. (Matthew 26:14)

This Wednesday was also referred to as “Silent Wednesday” because Jesus spent this day in Bethany. It had been two exhausting days in Jerusalem and tomorrow would be the Passover. Bethany is about two miles east of Jerusalem and is where Lazarus and his two sisters, Mary and Martha lived. They were close friends of Jesus, and probably hosted Him and the disciples during His final days. It was on this day that Mary anointed Jesus with costly perfumed oil. Remember, Judas’ (same guy plotting to betray Jesus) remarks to Jesus? “Why this waste? This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.” We know Judas was the money keeper for Jesus and the disciples and he sure wasn’t thinking about the poor, but about His own schemes. Jesus rebuked him and said Mary has anointed Him for his burial! Jesus knew what he was about to face and had referred to it over and over to His disciples, but those "blockheads" were slow thinkers.

As we continue to walk with Jesus during this Holy Week, back here in Frisco, U.S.A., I don’t notice too many symbols and signs that indicate Easter is upon us. Even at our local stores -- Easter décor is pretty slim pickin’s. To think that just three months ago, our homes were over-embellished with Christmas décor, and then, EASTER, zilch - nada! There is little to no resemblance to the Christmas extravagance. Indeed, the birthday of our Lord was a really BIG DEAL!! Without His birth, there would be no Easter. Jesus birth story is worthy of remembering and retelling. But, based on the lack of decorating and celebrations, Easter comes in almost unnoticed. Like this day, Silent Wednesday.

Partying isn't what we do when someone we love is facing death. Many of us started on Ash Wednesday to welcome Lent and go more introspective to ponder, not just the sacrifice Christ made by leaving heaven's glories to become one of us, but to walk side-by-side with Him on His journey to Calvary. No fanfare is needed. With gratitude, we remember Jesus because of Who He was and what He did, not simply because of His birth. All of humanity were cursed and doomed to death, but during the week of Easter, Jesus assumed the guilt of humanity. Imagine that heavy load He carried on this Holy Wednesday. He must have been mustering up every fiber of strength to go the distance to the cross that awaited Him. The cross – that would symbolize an emergency rescue of humanity for all time.

One of my fondest Easter memories as a child here in Dallas was getting up, while it was still dark, on Easter morning and driving out to the Easter Sunrise Service at Laurel Land Cemetery in Oak Cliff. An Easter Service in a cemetery? What better place to relate to the fact that He, Who was as dead as those folks are and was entombed to be there forever, BUT, unlike those loved loved ones buried there, His grave could not hold Him down, and one day because He lives – those graves will not hold them down either.

A birth always seems more reason for celebrating than a death, but not in this case. From the cross to the grave to life is the grandest celebration of all because His death means life everlasting for you and me. Yes, my friends, without Easter, we would have no hope for today or tomorrow. So, how big is Easter? Oh, it's only the answer to pretty much EVERYTHING!!! So let the celebrations BEGIN!!

Holy Tuesday aka Temple Tuesday

Temple: a place regarded as the dwelling place of God; house of God, house of worship, shrine, sanctuary, church, cathedral.

Tuesday of Holy Week could be called "Temple Tuesday," because in Matthew 21 we read how Jesus spent most of the day in the Temple -- teaching and using parables to make His points. According to Matthew, Mark and Luke, Jesus had returned to Jerusalem to go to the Temple. As I mentioned in my post, yesterday, Jesus knew this was His last week leading up to His death, so I suspect He was determined to leave an unforgettable “last impression”. He was constantly confronted by religious leaders who challenged his authority to teach the people, and lambasted him with unreasonable theological questions. He answered them so successfully that "no one was able to answer him a word, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions". Matthew 22:46

Jesus was the master of story-telling using illustrations (parables) to make His point. He used parables on this day: the parable of the vineyard (Matt. 21:33-46); the parable of the wedding banquet, (Matt. 22:1); the teaching on paying taxes (Matt 22:15) and the rebuke of the Sadducees who denied the resurrection (Matt. 22:23). Then Jesus and His disciples left the Temple and went to the Mount of Olives where He delivered the prophecy about the destruction of Jerusalem if the inhabitants would not come to faith in Him. He warned that not one stone will be left on another (Matt. 24). Jesus always "packed a punch" in delivering a message with authority and truth.

Sunday night my Frisco family and I went to see “Paul, an Apostle of Christ”. I don't like movies that leave you hanging, or have a disappointing ending. I LOVE the happy ending ones! Though the tragic state of Rome and the plight of Christians is portrayed in shocking reality, Paul dictates a letter to Luke to pass on to the followers of Christ that gives them hope. You and I were included in those writings. I felt it as I watched this compelling movie that in the worst of conditions and circumstances, our foremost responsibility is to LOVE. That’s what Jesus did for us.

As we continue to journey toward the ending of Jesus' life on this earth...on Thursday, we'll remember the Passover, Last Supper, and Jesus washing his disciples feet and then on to Good Friday, when He was tortured, suffered and died. As despicable as it was....we can still REJOICE. It is really good news! We know the end of the "movie". Our Champion, Jesus Christ wins on Easter Sunday aka Resurrection Sunday……so, we win!

Right now, life may be tough for you. You might have health issues or experienced the recent loss of a loved one. There may be strife in your marriage. You might not have enough money to make ends meet. But, DON"T lose hope! Just when you think the "movie" could get no worse, our Champion will be there because HE LIVES! And in the end, we win in a big way. There will be no more tears. No more mourning, or pain or even death, but life eternal. Everlasting. The Lion of the Tribe of Judah destroys the enemy once and for all. Just hang on. The end of the "movie" -- the last chapter recorded for all to read is such a "and they lived happily ever after" ending. No, actually, it is THE BEGINNING! God wins and those who love and believe in Him will live with Him forevermore! Oh Happy Day!

Palm Sunday = Salvation Army Everyday!

It’s Palm Sunday and the beginning of Holy Week. Palm Sunday represents the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. Today, churches will celebrate in different ways. Some will simply acknowledge it, or not, while others make a big deal about it. At some churches, the people meet then they emerge to process around the outside of the church or down a hallway into the sanctuary. They’ll be waving palm branches, others playing musical instruments, others shouting and singing, "Hosanna." Other church’s choirs, orchestra and drama team will begin presenting the Easter story through music and drama. However you and/or your church celebrates it, it is certain that Palm Sunday is a day of rejoicing, for OUR King is coming!

I read this story about pastor and seminary professor, Dr. Walter Bruggemann. “He and the rest of the Palm Sunday procession were heading toward the church when a young man living in the apartment house across the street threw up the window and shouted, "What's all that noise? You sound like the Salvation Army!" Dr. Bruggemann looked up at him and said, "Son, we ARE the Salvation Army!" What better way to sum up the events of the first Palm Sunday than to call it a Salvation Army Parade?

Holy Week begins today with Jesus' "ragtag army parade" coming into Jerusalem. He came -- not on an elaborate float or carried on a King’s opulent throne or riding a magnificent white stallion, but on a donkey, followed by His "ragtag army", a motley crew of disciples and peasant followers. There were no loud brass bands playing triumphant music to acclaim the King’s arrival. There were just lowly pilgrims waving palm branches and shouting “Hosanna, blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord”. Luke 19:38. Today, we visualize "being there" with those who had witnessed the miracles of Jesus, His kindness and love, and they just KNEW that He was their long-awaited King who would set all chaotic things in order.

Just three years after appearing on the scene, Jesus' “Salvation Army Story" on this earth was coming to a fast close, but His “Story” just began because it would ultimately become our “Salvation Story”. Jesus knew what He was doing. He set His destiny into motion when He arranged for a donkey and two of his disciples brought it to Him. Jesus set the stage for the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy spoken and referred to in Matthew 21:5 "Say to the Daughter of Zion, 'See your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey."

We know that “pomp and circumstance” comes to kings and royalty, but it isn’t so with King Jesus. He is a different kind of king. His throne isn’t about determination to rule. His is determination to serve. Most royal figures spend time building their egos; His comes with total humility. Kings, today, ride in majestic, streamlined jets. King Jesus rode on a donkey. He knew exactly what He was doing. A donkey is a symbol of meekness and peace. How different His entry was – not a 21-gun salute, but swishing of palm branches. A king’s death was hailed by royal salutes, but King Jesus knew His was to be a cross. Oh, yes, OUR King is a different King.

Not only did our King know precisely who He was when He entered Jerusalem, but right now He knows who He is as He enters the Jerusalem of OUR lives. He healed the blind and lame. He touched people. He touched ALL people – those with rank, and those who were broken, rejected, and unloved. He never refused anyone who came to Him for help. He helped those with shattered dreams and bruised spirits. And the best news is, that’s the people He came for – those “ragtag” people -- people like you and me. His “ragtag army” – His SALVATION ARMY that will lift His banner high as we worship, praise, and are His ambassadors to a world that needs Him so much.

And They Lived Happily Ever After

I don't like movies that leave you hanging, or have a disappointing ending. I LOVE the happy ending ones! I'm quite sure that the movie my Life Group and I are going to see tonight will have a happy, encouraging and uplifting ending. We're going to see "Miracles From Heaven". I'll give you a movie review tomorrow!

Speaking of endings…..this is Tuesday of Holy Week aka Passion Week – when we journey toward the ending of Jesus' life on this earth. We're moving toward Holy Thursday (the Passover, Last Supper, Jesus washing his disciples feet) and then on to Good Friday, when He was tortured, suffered and died). As despicable as it was……we can still REJOICE. It's really good news! We know the end of the "movie". Our Champion, Jesus Christ wins on Resurrection Sunday aka Easter……so, we win!

Right now, life may be tough for you. You might have some health issues, or experienced the recent loss of a loved one. There may be strife in your marriage. You might not have enough money to make ends meet. But, DON"T lose hope! Just when you think the "movie" could get no worse, our Champion will be there because HE LIVES!

And in the end, we win in a big way. There will be no more tears. No more mourning, or pain or even death, but life eternal. Everlasting. The Lion of the Tribe of Judah destroys the enemy once and for all. Just hang on. The end of the "movie" -- the last chapter recorded for all to read is such a "and they lived happily ever after" ending. No, actually, it is THE BEGINNING! God wins and those who love and believe in Him will live with Him forevermore! Oh Happy Day!

Holy Week -- a Time for Remembering

Just look at those amazing signs of Spring that celebrate this marvelous Holy Week aka Passion Week, the week just before Easter. Yesterday was Palm Sunday, the sacred day that commemorates the entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, where He rode into town on a donkey as crowds of people joyfully lauded him and spread out palm branches in his path to honor his kingship. Unfortunately, those same crowds would, later in this same week, cry out “Crucify Him!” This is the week of remembering His love and great sacrifice for you and me.

On Palm Sunday, our congregation, symbolic of those crowds in Jerusalem, meets together in our Fellowship Hall and then we all process into the sanctuary carrying our palm branches as we sing praises to our Lord. This day marked the start of Christ's journey to the cross, and ultimately, His glorious resurrection. The very least we can do this week, in the midst of our daily activities, routines and responsibilities, is to make room for the magnitude of what this week means to us.

We ponder with heart-felt gratitude He Who knew no sin, He Who loved so unconditionally, He who paid the price for our salvation and enable us to live a life of abundance, and He Who offers live-everlasting to each of us. Over 2000 years ago, He went the distance and finished what His Father set out for Him to do. His arms are still open wide for us to come to Him, to know Him, to receive Him and for us to live our lives in honor of such great sacrifice.

I snapped these photos as I left Inverness Village where a dear friend is in Skilled Nursing care there. I took her one of the palm branches from the service earlier, and I also took her communion. She cried when she saw the palm branch. I cried with her. Though she couldn’t be at the service, she remembered what this day meant, and humbly, she embraced receiving the Body of Christ in communion. As I left her and witnessed the beauty of this Spring day that represents newness of life, I also rejoiced because of such love from my Savior. Our Lord is no longer riding a donkey facing a horrific death. He is our risen Lord and Savior, soon coming on a white horse as our King of Kings and Lord of Lords. (Revelation 19:11-16).

"You were worth dying for." -- Jesus

Springs of Living Water

Day 89 of Photo Inspirations -- Springs of Living Water
Each year I MUST have my annual family photo taken. This one was at the BOK Bear Plaza fountain.  To my grandchildren's delight, the fountain wasn't on, so they could climb all over the bears.  It made for such a great family adventure.

I passed by that landmark just a few days ago and the waters were flowing freely.  I thought about my photo moments just a few months before, but I also thought about the free-flowing "Living Water".  This is Holy Week, the last week of Christ's life, remembering especially His passion and resurrection, and the "Living Water" He gave during His short 33 years of life on earth.

He had been the "Living Water" to those He healed, those He restored to life, those He gave a new future, and those He forgave and made whole.  And those who drank His living water, never thirst again.

I think about the story of the woman of Samaria who had made many mistakes, and when she came to the well for natural water, she left with "Living Water".  Her story is our story too.  It's a story where God finds us also worthy of His love in spite of our mistakes.  As a result of the encounter with Jesus, she, who had been an outcast from her own people, found out what TRUE LOVE is all about.  To be wanted, to be cared for when no one, not even herself, could see anything of value in her -- was grace indeed.   Jesus told her:  "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks THE water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, THE water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life. John 4:13

And, THAT "Living Water" she experienced could not be held in, she became an evangelist of Jesus when she ran to tell others about Him.  "Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in Him because of the woman's testimony" John 4:39-42

And those words are an invitation that should echo in our ears, too. Jesus stands at the doors of our hearts, offering to us these "living waters".  "If ANYONE is thirsty, let him come to ME and drink."  The first requirement is thirst.  It is an inate part of our humanity -- to have a spiritual thirst.  And, that thirst, is what we bring to our relationship with God.  Drinking that LIVING WATER means aligning with Him, trusting Him, receiving, and believing in Him.  When we believe, we open our hearts to receive what his grace offers. I urge you today..."Come on in.....THE WATER IS FINE!"

Palm Sunday -- Hosanna to Our King

Day 87 of Photo Inspirations – Palm Sunday – Hosanna to Our King
At church, today, we’ll process into the sanctuary carrying palm branches as we celebrate Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week, and depicting, somewhat, the Jesus “parade” when he came into Jerusalem – not on an elaborate float or carried on a King’s opulent throne or riding a magnificent white stallion, but on a donkey, followed by a motley crew of disciples and peasant followers.  There were no loud brass bands playing triumphant music to acclaim the King’s arrival.  There were just lowly pilgrims waving palm branches and shouting “Hosanna”.  Today, we set our hearts in motion to "being there" with those who had witnessed the miracles of Jesus, His kindness and love, and they just KNEW that He was their long-awaited King who would set all the things in order that had been in total chaos.

And, it was all a pre-planned event. None of it was an accident.   Jesus knew what He was doing.  He had arranged for a donkey and two of his disciples brought it to Him.   Jesus set the stage for what we now call Holy Week and it would fulfill Isaiah’s prophecy spoken before and now referred to in Matthew 21:5 "Say to the Daughter of Zion, 'See your king comes to you gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey".

And, all that this day was, over 2,000 years ago, is still true in this 21st century.  OUR King is coming.  With what we have come to know as “pomp and circumstance” when it comes to kings and royalty, it isn’t so with King Jesus.   He is a different kind of king.  His throne isn’t about determination to rule; His is determination to serve.  Where most royal figures spend time building their egos; His comes with total humility.  While kings today ride in majestic and streamlined jets, King Jesus rode in on a donkey.  And, He knew exactly what He was doing.  He could have ridden in on a horse. Jesus rode a donkey, a symbol of meekness and peace.    How different His entry was – not a 21-gun salute, but swishing of palm branches.  The king’s death was accompanied by royal salutes and honored acclamations, but King Jesus knew His was to be a cross.  Our King is a different King.

Not only did our King know precisely who He was when He entered Jerusalem,  right now He knows who He is as He enters the Jerusalem of our lives.  He healed  the blind and lame.  He touched people.  He touched ALL people – those with rank, and those who were broken, rejected, and unloved.   He never refused anyone who came to Him for help.  He helped those with shattered dreams and bruised spirits.  And the best news is….. He did it then; He does it now. That's the kind of Lord He is!    That's the kind of KING He is!  Today, He wants to transform us, touch our lives and make us new.  He loves us so much that He was thinking about us then....and TODAY.  Yes, we sing “Hosanna!  Our King has come!