Passion Week 2024: Holy Thursday

“Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”   

- John the Baptist (John 1:29)

Yesterday was Holy Wednesday, the last Wednesday before Easter Sunday. Holy Wednesday may or may not be celebrated depending on the denomination. Neither is there any mention in Scripture what Jesus did on this day. 

Still, biblical scholars and experts think that He used the day to rest and prepare himself for Passover. After all, he had just spent two grueling days in Jerusalem, and the events that lie ahead would come quickly.

Holy Thursday is a different day altogether. Unlike Wednesday, the day has taken on a more serious mood. From where they are in Bethany, Peter and John are dispatched by Jesus to go on ahead and make ready for the Passover Feast.

Later that evening, while gathered to partake in the Passover, Jesus proceeded to wash the feet of the disciples. This display of humility, and service, was done prior to sharing the feast in order to illustrate how believers should care for one another.

With this being done, Jesus then took part in the Passover Feast with his disciples (Luke 22:15-16). We are more familiar with this meal as the Last Supper; also known as Communion. (Luke 22:19-20).

Other important Holy Thursday events include:

• Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-46; Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:39-46); 
• Jesus’ betrayal by Judas Iscariot and his following arrest (Matthew 26:47-56; Mark 14:43-46; John 18:3-12); and
• Peter denies Jesus (Matthew 26:69–75; Mark 14:66–72; Luke 22:55–62; John 18:16–27)

As in other contemporary writings, events occurring in the Gospel are not necessarily arranged in chronological order. There are other factors, such as: cultural directives, etc., that must also be considered.

Below you'll find a short video about the Last Supper. It is based on Luke 22:7-38. 

What is the importance of the Last Supper? by LUMO  (Luke 22:7-38) 

Synopsis: The night before Jesus is crucified, he spends time with his disciples, washing their feet and dining together. The Last Supper is a time when Jesus explains for the final time his purpose for coming to Earth: to unite God’s people and bring hope to humanity.

Scripture: Isaiah 53:12; Proverbs 31:6-7; Matthew 26:23-25; Luke 22:21; John 4:24

Prayer: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." - 1 John 1:9  (ESV)

Love, peace, and happiness!

Kaitlyn

Video Lesson: Treasures New and Old | Beth Moore | Minding the Store (Part 5 of 5)

In this, the fifth and final installment of a five-part teaching, Bible teacher Beth Moore expounds, "God's word is the ultimate treasure for us to use every single day!"

No riches are more valuable to save than God's words. There is nothing like treasuring (storing) up the words of God. Do you want to know how to obtain wisdom, how to tell what salvation and deliverance look like, how one comes to know both Him, and the power of his resurrection? 

You can! It's accomplished by the Spirit working through the Word of God. This is the one thing we, as believers, know. Study the scriptures, spend the rest of your life storing up the treasures of scripture. 

And as you do, you will live the life that He meant for you to live. Plus, you will find that you have stored up real-life treasures in heaven. Now there's something we could all use more of!

Key Verses: Matthew 13:51-52, Psalm 119:11, Deuteronomy 29:29, 2 Timothy 2:15

Enjoy!

~Eve

Passion Week 2024: Holy Tuesday

“God sweetens outward pain with inward peace.”   - Thomas Watson

Thus far, we have been following along with Jesus during His last week in Jerusalem, Passion Week (Holy Week). Beginning with Palm Sunday, then Holy Monday, it is now Holy Tuesday.

While on their way back to Jerusalem, Jesus and the disciples walked past the shriveled fig tree (Mark 11:13-14). Using it as an example, He then spoke to them about the importance of faith (Mark 11:20-26).

Meanwhile, the religious leaders had gathered at the temple. They were upset with Jesus because he had put himself as a spiritual expert. So, the chief priests and Pharisees plotted to snare and arrest him.

Instead, Jesus eluded their ambush and declared harsh judgment on them (Matthew 23:24-33). Subsequently that afternoon, they left the city for the Mount of Olives. It was here that Jesus gave the Olivet Discourse.

This prophetical sermon emphasized the end times. It is key to understand that Jesus is referencing Israel and not the church in this discourse (Matthew 24:1 – 25:46; Mark 13:1-37; Luke 21:5-36). 

At the end of what was certainly an exhausting day full of conflict and forewarnings, Jesus and the disciples again returned to Bethany to lodge for the night.

I need to mention again that events in the biblical Gospels don't always follow the order in which they happened. The turbulent episodes of Holy Tuesday, including the Olivet Discourse, can be found in Matthew 21:23–24:51, Mark 11:20–13:37, Luke 20:1–21:36, and John 12:20–38.

Below is a brief video of Anne Graham Lotz reading about Jesus and Holy Tuesday from Scripture. I think you will find it most helpful!

Scripture: Zechariah 12:10–11; Psalm 110:1; Matthew 24:3; Acts 3:21; John 16:33

Prayer: "He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high." - Hebrews 1:3 (ESV)

Love, peace, and happiness!

Kaitlyn

Passion Week 2024 : Holy Monday

“As a Son, he purged the temple of his Father.”   - J. W. McGarvey and Philip Y. Pendleton, The Fourfold Gospel

We've now come to Holy Monday of the Holy Week. Traditionally, two important events occurred on this day. 

It's important to mention that events in the biblical Gospels do not always follow the order in which they happened. Now, with that being said,

After spending the night in Bethany, Jesus and his disciples returned to Jerusalem the following morning. While on the two mile journey back to the city, He grew hungry for something to eat (John 11:18). 

Presently, Jesus came upon a fig tree along the side of the road. But as he got closer he saw that it didn't have any fruit, only leaves. Jesus then proceeds to pronounce a curse on it, and the tree immediately withers away. 

Why did Jesus curse the fig tree? And what is the significance of this? Watch the short video clip below to help clarify this act.

Jesus Curses a Fig Tree - Mark 11:12-14

The other incident of note is the cleansing of the temple. Consider that when Jesus arrived in Jerusalem from his stop over in Bethany, he was doing so to observe the Feast of the Passover (Matthew 21:17).

However, upon arriving at the temple, Jesus found merchants selling animals and exchanging currency in the temple courts. When he saw this he overthrew the tables of the money-changers, and the seats of the merchants (vendors), driving them all out!  (Mark 11:15-19; John 2:13–22)

Why did Jesus cleanse the temple? For further explanation, watch the video clip below.

Jesus Cleanses the Temple - Matthew 21 

Scripture: Isaiah 42:1; Isaiah 42:8; Psalm 36:11; Hebrews 9:11; John 2:22

Prayer: "Dear God, grant us the courage to receive your anointed servant who embodies a wisdom and love that is foolishness to the world." - from the Revised Common Lectionary

Love, peace, and happiness!

Kaitlyn

Palm Sunday 2024: When Christ Entered Jerusalem

"When Christ entered into Jerusalem the people spread garments in the way: when He enters into our hearts, we pull off our own righteousness, and not only lay it under Christ’s feet but even trample upon it ourselves."  -Augustus Toplady

Jesus is preparing for his entrance into Jerusalem... We shall return to this shortly, but let's focus for just a moment on why He decided to return there in the first place, and what occurred afterwards.

But in order to gain a better appreciation of this episode, I believe it’s important to first get an idea of Jesus’ mindset at the time. A lot had already happened, and the pace was only starting to pick up.

Jesus knew why he was sent here, and what his purpose was. He said, "I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly" (John 10:10). Also, "For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10).

He had decided that it was time to finish his Galilean ministry, return to Jerusalem, and declare it as His center of operations. This is opposite of what Jesus did earlier in his ministry. At that time he exited Judea and headed to Galilee (John 4:3).

Thus, Jesus' ministerial activities were mostly performed in and around Galilee. Now, it became crucial that he go back to Jerusalem. It was there that he was to make His final plea to the Jewish leaders; submitting the kingdom message yet again (Luke 17:20-21).

A week prior to his death, burial, and resurrection Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey colt (Zechariah 9:9; John 12:14–15). For those who had followed him the past three and a half years, this was the beginning of an exciting week full of high expectations.

They truly believed Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah, who had been mentioned by the Old Testament prophets. Their King had finally arrived and all Jerusalem looked forward, with hopeful anticipation, to living with Him forever.

Sadly, the same people who were now proclaiming Him as king, would be rejecting him by the end of the week. Eventually, they would condemn Him to crucifixion on the Cross (Matthew 27:35; Mark 15:24, Luke 23:33, John 19:18).

I have included a short, video presentation below that will help explain the significance of Palm Sunday: The Triumphal Entry and why we celebrate it. This clip references Luke, chapters 18-19, for your own research.

Synopsis: Palm Sunday recognizes Jesus' entrance into Jerusalem. Palm branches were laid out in his path as he rode in on a donkey colt. This event  marks the beginning of Holy Week, before his arrest on Holy Thursday, and crucifixion on Good Friday. 

Video: Galilee to Jerusalem: The Last Week of Jesus, Day 1

by the Center for Holy Lands Studies

Scripture: John 12:13; Acts 2:38; Psalm 118:25-26; Matthew 21:5; Luke 19:38

Prayer: "Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord!"  - Psalm 31:24

Love, peace, and happiness!

Kaitlyn

Video Lesson: The Lord's Treasure | Beth Moore | Minding the Store (Part 4 of 5)

In Part 4 of her 5 part series, Minding the Store, Bible teacher Beth Moore, explains: "The Lord is a rich store, all contents prepaid by the cross. And you don't need to take any money with you because it's all been prepaid.

All the salvation and deliverance you need, all the help and the rescue that you need, all the wisdom that you need. It's all there. God stores up good things for us, and it is His joy that we use them!"

We should come forth without doubting, and ask him for it. All the knowledge that would thrill your heart, enlighten your mind, and open your eyes. It's all there, because when we store up treasures from heaven, that's what is in the storage of the Lord. 

Key verses: Luke 6:46-49; Isaiah 28:16; Daniel 4: 28-33; Hebrews 7:25; Matthew 6:19-21, 1 Peter 2:9

Enjoy!

~Eve

Jesus Is the Way: Out of Confusion

"Wherever we find the Word of God surely preached and heard, and the sacraments administered according to the institution of Christ, there, it is not to be doubted, is a church of God."   - John Calvin

First, welcome back! When we last met we learned about the importance of not only having a relationship with God, but maintaining it. As with any positive relationship, one must continually work on it.

At the same time, there appears to be a certain amount of confusion affecting those who have a desire to follow Jesus Christ. What kind of confusion..? One could probably make a case for any number of reasons as to what this may be.

For the sake of our discussion here, I chose to focus on one issue that covers a broad swath, or path, across the range of current dilemmas in and around religion in general, that being: confusion.

People are leaving churches for a number of different reasons. It can be hard to focus solely on God when being overwhelmed by other things, including: conflicting doctrines, political differences, church abuses, outdated rules, logistics, etc.

But you can rest assured that Jesus certainly does not accept this. One only has to turn to Matthew 12:25 to see how he felt about harmful things causing division in the church. Confusion was never part of his plan for us.

Rather, Jesus prayed for unity and love in the church (John 17:20-21). It is "Christian love" that separates us from non-believers who cannot perceive, or feel the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:14). 

All they can see and hear are the actions and tirades of self-professed believers (Matthew 5:13–16). None of this serves as a good introduction to faith in Christ. It's no wonder that so many are turning from the church at this time.

I mentioned above that on no account does Jesus approve of any of this uncertainty. If anything, He promised to "build" his church, not tear it down (Matthew 16:18). 

Confusion means disorder, instability, and disturbance; none of which portrays God. Yet, despite all of the current upheaval, created both by man and Satan, I still believe the church will hold firm.

You can also trust that, even today, an obedient and faithful believer in Christ is personally welcomed into His church (Acts 2:47). And that, it is there that we can truly enjoy the unity of which Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:4-6.

As we close, "confusion" doesn't have to mean "desertion."  It is only by following Jesus as the way out of religious confusion will we re-discover His church, and reap, without reservation, the love and unity He spoke about. 

To date, we've learned that Jesus is the way to: a better life, the forgiveness of sins, God, and out of religious confusion. Next time, we will add one final topic to our studies: Eternal Life. I do hope you can join me then!

Scripture: Acts 5:29; Romans 3:4;  Psalm 133:1; Hebrews 10:25; 1 John 1:7

Prayer: "And I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ."  - Philemon 1:6  (ESV)

May God bless you!

Brandi