The Events of Holy Week

 Palm Sunday through to Easter Sunday.  This blogpost will be a little different.  I want to list what took place through Holy Week, or the week leading up to Easter.  My hope is that as we go through everyday life, we would have these events on our minds.  I hope this brings the light and hope to you this Easter.  

PALM SUNDAY:

This is the Sunday before Jesus was crucified.  He was making His way to Jerusalem. Jesus knew His day was coming, He would be crucified and die for our sins. ALL of our sins. 

He sent a couple of disciples to find a donkey for Him to ride on as He entered the city.  Where do Palms come into play?  The crowds of people were singing “Hosanna in the highest” and waving Palms in honor of Jesus entering the city.  Some laid the palms down to cover the dirty street as Jesus entered.  Zechariah 9:9

HOLY MONDAY:

Luke 19:46 tells of Jesus coming upon the temple and seeing the corrupt money changers.  Jesus declaring His temple is a house of prayer, but they made it a “den of thieves”.  Jesus overturned the tables and cleared the temple.  

HOLY TUESDAY:

Jesus goes to the Mount of Olives. Jesus delivered His message of what is to become of Jerusalem and its destruction, and the prophecy of Jesus’ death and resurrection of Jesus.  Also on this day Judas decides to betray Jesus.  Matt 26 

HOLY WEDNESDAY:

Judas betray Jesus. 

Anticipation of Passover beginning on Thursday.

MAUNDY THURSDAY:

Passover and The Last Supper. 

Definition of Maundy- the washing of feet.

This is when Jesus and his disciples had what is known as “the last supper”, or “feast of the Passover”, and when Jesus washed the disciples feet. This is when Jesus spoke of what we call communion.  The breaking of bread and sipping of wine, in remembrance of Him.  The bread, His body. The wine, His blood. 

From there Jesus and the disciples retreated to the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus anguished in prayer to His Father God. His sweat became like great drops of blood falling to the ground. Luke 22:44

Then later that night was when Judas betrayed Jesus by a kiss on His cheek.  Jesus was then arrested.  

By the way, it wasn’t just a handful of soldiers.  It was a few hundred that came to arrest Jesus.  

GOOD FRIDAY:

A lot takes place on this one very important day.  

Jesus’ trial, crucifixion,  death, and burial.

And oh, remember Judas, he was so distraught over what he did that he hung himself.  

Jesus spoke His final words on that cross.  He said “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.

HOLY SATURDAY:

Jesus Christ in the tomb. Guarded by Roman soldiers. 

Later that evening the disciples came to prepare Jesus’ body and wrapped in linen.  

The tomb sealed by a huge boulder. Not just a little rock as we would know it.  

This is the timeline of Holy Week, prior to Resurrection Day, or Easter as we call it.  

RESURRECTION  SUNDAY:

We know what happened   Jesus was RISEN! Our Savior did what He promised. He said He would take on the sins of the world and make a way for our redemption.  

As you notice I did not go into great detail.  I left a few Scripture references.  But my hope is for each day this week you will think of this timeline and look into it during your own devotion time.  Check out all that took place each day.  Read it to your family, your children, your neighbors.  Share this good news.  

I will repost this everyday and add a verse or two.  To remind you to read the Easter Story.  I pray you all reach a heightened revelation of this powerful message.  

Jesus doesn’t have a time clock

I’ve been thinking about this title for a little bit.  Then I found myself going down different paths.  It began to get too complex for a simple blog.  So I stepped aside and prayed.  I then figured out what Jesus was speaking to me.  I hope it speaks to you as well.

Most of our lives, from early adulthood through to retirement, we live by the time clock.  We start our day by punching in on that clock at work.  Then we finish our shift, or day at work and we punch out on that very same time clock.  Some say they live by the clock.  

Let’s look at that with a different perspective.  Do you think Jesus always goes by a time clock when He is praying and interceding for us?  Or does He respond saying “I’ve already done my 8 hours, I will catch you next time”.  Oh my goodness, how devastating that would be for most of us.  Especially when we are hoping for a miracle, or huge answer to a specific prayer.  

We know that Jesus has specific plans for you and I.  And He has the perfect timing for His miracles to be in our lives.  By all means, that does not mean for us to give up, to stop praying, to stop believing in that miracle.  What this has shown me is our time clock may say time to go home, but Jesus doesn’t live by our time.  To Him time is eternity.  He knows the best time to bring those miracles to fruition.  

Jesus is present always.  He is always listening to us and our cries to Him.  There is no need to demand that need be filled immediately.  Jesus knows what we need and when.  

This also doesn’t mean we stop praying and stop asking.  The Lord loves to hear from His children.  You and I.  Don’t ever get tired of asking.  But we must be careful not to get demanding.  

I’ve spent many years of my life dealing with illness.  From my early teen years and still now.  I prayed, my husband prayed, my family, my pastors, my church, and more.  It took many years to see improvement.  I wasn’t instantly healed.  It is an ongoing process.  Did I wonder why I wasn’t seeing it all at once?  Sure I did.  But Jesus would gently remind me, I am his daughter and He has His hands on me.  I had to learn to be patient.  Don’t live by the time clock.  Jesus knows the time.  It took many years before I totally let it go and was convinced it will happen when it’s the right time.  

I hope this gives you new hope.  You don’t have to get weary, but hang on to the promises Jesus has given you. Don’t stop asking and believing. Your time will come.  

“There is an occasion for everything, and a time for every activity under heaven:”

‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

“He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also put eternity in their hearts…

‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭3‬:‭11‬a ‭HCSB‬‬

Are We Willing to Go!

 How many times in our lives have we heard the Lord speak to us, with definite clarity and direction?  

Some say oh everyday.  I wouldn’t argue that.  I always ask the Lord to hear me, and for me to hear Him speak into my life.  

When we are filled with the Holy Spirit we probably can experience that more often than we do.  Jesus sent us His Holy Spirit to teach us, to speak to us, and to give us clear vision for our days ahead.  

Sometimes the Lord gives us a very specific word.  Like picking up roots and moving far away.  We all know some who have done so.  

He may be giving us a specific task to do.  Or perhaps befriending someone.  The list can go on and on.  

But do we listen and obey.  That is the big question.  Will we go?  Will we put ourselves out there for the Lord to use? Are we willing?  Some sacrifice is “more” than others.  But Jesus doesn’t think it is a lesser need.  Lord, you asked so and so to sell their home, but you asked me to make cookies for the grumpy neighbor.   Does that mean what I do is less valuable?  Absolutely not!  Our Jesus does not discriminate nor think of anyone lesser than the other.  His love is as far and deep and wide for us all to receive what He has for us.  We just need to listen and act on it.  Obey Him.  

Here I am Lord, send me!  

“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying: Who should I send? Who will go for Us? I said: Here I am. Send me.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭6‬:‭8‬ ‭HCSB‬‬