As we are in the midst of Holy Week and are anticipating the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus on Easter Sunday, I wanted to share an older blog post about what this week means for us as Christians. Remember, it’s not just one week but a lifestyle of living in the kingdom! Happy Easter!
At the beginning of Holy Week, we began our journey as we entered Jerusalem with Jesus. A great multitude heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem and they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him crying out:
Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! The King of Israel!
And only a few days later…
Crucify Him
How quickly the crowds turned from adulation to condemnation.
Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey and the crowds adored him showering Him with praise and honor.
And then they shouted, “crucify Him.”
Jesus, knowing the beginning from the end, knew that the crowds would be fickle, but He kept His eyes on His mission walking towards the cross. He could not be persuaded, even by His friend Peter to turn back:
From the time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things…
Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him saying: ” Far be it from you, Lord, this shall not happen to You!
But Jesus would not turn back.
Because he knew…..
That His Kingdom was not of this world.
My kingdom is not of the world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would fight so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now my kingdom is not from here (John 18:36)
Jesus knew that He came to this world to save the world from sin and death offering forgiveness on the cross. He knew His mission and He did not turn back.
Beloved friends, Jesus knows you. He came to save you and if you were the only person on the earth, He would have come because His mission was to bring salvation to the world. His love was and is unconditional. He came, died and on the third day rose from the dead, and there is nothing you have done in the past or will do in the future that can separate you from His extravagant love. As you reflect on His kingdom that has come; as you reflect on His great and awesome love for you, remember that Holy Week is not one week out of the year, but a lifestyle of living in the kingdom, living for the glory of the King.
Because He lives you can face tomorrow. His life in exchange for yours. Extravagant grace!
Have a blessed Easter!
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