Holy Week blog

 

 

One of the principal beliefs of our American republic is that religious belief cannot be forced. Every person is free to believe or not believe. That also happens to be a very Baptist idea, and our own Baptist history shows how Virginia Baptist preachers lobbied James Madison hard to make sure a provision to that effect was included in the Bill of Rights.

 

But on that first Good Friday, someone was actually forced to take up the cross. His name was Simon of Cyrene. We don’t know much about him at all except that he was pressed into service when the weight of the cross became too much for Jesus to carry. 

 

Evidently, it made an impact on Simon. Mark’s account of the story identifies Simon as “the father of Alexander and Rufus,” who more than likely were leaders in the early Church. (Indeed, Paul refers to a “Rufus, chosen in the Lord,” in his letter to the Romans, traditionally the church to which the gospel of Mark was first sent.) I can’t imagine anyone taking on the cross of Christ and not being forever changed for the better by it.

 

On this Good Friday, why not experience that change for yourself? Ponder the thought of what it would mean to take on the cross of Christ in your life. Think about the reshuffling of priorities it would cause, the forgiveness it would effect, and the sense of release it would bring about. Consider how in bearing the cross of Jesus in this world today you would be participating in a work of redemption that result in the triumph of all that is good. 

 

There is a reason, after all, why it is called “‘Good’ Friday.” And until you dare to shoulder Christ’s burden, you will never understand how that can be. 

 

Consider this devotion an invitation. Then step into the story in such a way that your life will be the better for it.

 

 

 

 

Today is April Fool’s Day, so be alert to friends and family that may try to take advantage of you today. You’d think that our society would grow out of such a thing, but it doesn’t seem to be the case. No one likes being exposed as a fool, so a day like this is good for keeping us on our toes.

 

Our text on this Maundy Thursday deals with the Last Supper. On that first night of Passover, Jesus gathered with his disciples to celebrate that important holiday of salvation. It was a time to remember when God worked through Moses to deliver his people from their bondage in Egypt.

 

Of course, Jesus was about to do the same thing for all creation. As the Passover Lamb, Jesus death would make it possible for everyone to be delivered from sin through their willingness to trust him as Savior and Lord.

 

But on that night there was one fool in the bunch. There was one disciple who flatly refused to be open to the way of life Jesus was inviting his disciples to take. Judas was that disciple, and he foolishly believed that he could keep Jesus from his plans. “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me…. The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man!” (Mark 14:18, 21a).

 

This is a good day to be careful, but not only to be careful about being caught with your guard down. This is a good day to be careful not to do anything that would suggest that you are not ready to follow Jesus. As difficult as doing that may some days be, there is the promise of a better day that lies ahead, and with it the blessing of peace and joy for those who are wise enough to stay with Jesus.

 

 

 

 

Some years ago, the comedian Flip Wilson attained great success through a character he emulated, who always excused her many mistakes with the explanation, “The Devil made me do it.” And people always laughed; why, I’m not really sure.

 

Satan is no figure to be taken lightly, at least not according to Luke’s thinking. When Luke looked to explain why Judas decided to turn on Jesus, he wrote, “Then Satan entered Judas.” That’s a chilling verse to me. How did that come about? Could Judas have prevented it? Was there some opening in his heart that allowed Satan to come in? The Bible seems clear that Judas was responsible for his betrayal of Jesus and that there was something Judas could have done to have prevented it.

 

How, then, might we take steps to keep Satan away from our hearts? That’s the question that should consume us in this week called Holy. 

 

I think the best way is to make sure that our hearts are so filled with Jesus that there’s no place for Satan to lodge. That way, instead of looking for an opportunity to hand Jesus over, you will instead be alert to ones to advance him as a Crucified and Risen Lord. And when people ask why you are so committed to a life of selfless service, you’ll know exactly what to say – “Jesus made me do it.” Their laughter very well could lead them to a life of inexhaustible joy.

 

 

 

 

We live in a skeptical time. So many have been snookered over the course of their lives that they look on everything and everyone with a sideward perspective. You just can’t be too sure, can you?

 

What would it take to give you confidence about someone? Time comes to mind. Also, we hope to see some consistency between someone’s words and deeds. Then there’s the importance of our standing in need of whatever that other person might have to offer.

 

Notice how all of these concerns are met in Jesus. Yet according to John’s gospel, “Even after Jesus had done all these miraculous signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him” (John 12:37). There was a hardness in their souls that would not make room for Jesus.

 

As you read the Bible’s account of the last week of Jesus’ life, may your reading melt whatever hardness has come about in your heart through the rejection and disappointment you have suffered. And may you see that Jesus will always be there for you. His cross is his commitment to that promise, and if you take it in faith, your life will never again be the same.

 

 

 

 

A waitress overheard two men talking about lessons they had learned over the course of their lives. One had bemoaned how he wished he’d known at age 21 what he knew at that point in his life. To which the waitress asked, “I’m 21; what do you know now?”

 

As Jesus made his way into Jerusalem, he also bemoaned the lack of knowledge that the people of that holy city lacked. “If you had only known on this day what would bring you peace,” Jesus mused to himself. But unlike the waitress, the people of Jerusalem stood little chance of arriving at that knowledge that would bring them lasting peace. They were too set in their ways – too complacent with their lives.

 

Holy Week is a time for being arrested out of our ruts and routines by the knowledge of that peace that was purchased on the cross. It is a time for us to reexamine our understanding of the Gospel and apply its lessons to our everyday experience.

 

The peace that Jesus offers is more than a mere absence of conflict. It is the assurance that nothing can keep us from the sense of well-being that trusting Jesus gives.

 

You know this to be true. Now, pray for opportunities to share it with others so that they also might be possessors of that peace that passes all understanding.