Lent 2016: HOLY WEEK

HOLY WEEK

3.20.16  Palm Sunday

Matthew 21:8 MSG

Nearly all the people in the crowd threw their garments down on the road, giving him a royal welcome. Others cut branches from the trees and threw them down as a welcome mat.

            Holy week begins with anticipation, excitement and enthusiasm.  Some in the crowd were prepared and offered clothing and garments to pave the way.  Others might have been reacting to the moment and just cut a branch from a tree.  Either way, a welcome is issued, a parade is in force.  Caught up with the enthusiasm of the crowd, everyone joins in.

            The crowd will disappear as the week develops.  The enthusiasm diminishes and the welcome turns sour.  How do we issue a welcome to the Son of God?  Are we ready or reacting?  Will we ‘go with the flow’ of the crowd?

Son of David….I welcome you.  Amen.

3.21.16 Monday  Luke 19:41 VOICE

When Jerusalem came into view, [Jesus] looked intently at the city and began to weep.

            Jesus is very human.  When he sees sad things, he cries.  When he views Jerusalem and all the wrongdoing, the poor choices being made, he weeps.  We can weep also today when tornados strike, terrorists kill, and over the shambles of our election process.  We can weep for broken families, abuse, addiction, and neglect.  But in the midst of sadness, tucked into a corner here or there, we can also witness the holiness of God, the presence of God at work in the smallest of details, already with a holy purpose to heal. 

            We weep, but after the weeping, what piece of holy action can we take?

Weeping Lord, …..I weep with you.  Amen.

3.22.16 Tuesday  Mark 13:33 GNT

Be on watch, be alert, for you do not know when the time will come. 

            The future is unknown.  We don’t know what will happen tomorrow, good or bad.  Worry does no good other than distracting us from that which is truly good and holy.  Busyness does not breed holiness.   The secret is to focus on God, be alert for the holy, and be ready for the unexpected blessings that pop up.  We can’t fear what we don’t know.  We can’t fear the future.  Focus, not fear. 

Watchful God….keep me alert.  Amen. 

3.23.16  Wednesday  Matthew 26:6-13 MSG

A woman came up to him [Jesus] as he was eating dinner and anointed him with a bottle of very expensive perfume. 

The disciples were furious with the blatant extravagance of the woman.  What waste!  The money could very well have been used to well….build a house!  We are taught to waste not!  We are taught conservation and to refrain from such indulgence. 

But perhaps Jesus is trying to teach us that there are times when we can’t, or shouldn’t, hold back.  How often do we hold back giving because there might be strings attached?  Or maybe we sense we might be taken advantage of?  How often do we hold back on love, appreciation, words of gratitude? 

            Today I shall practice extravagance….in praise, in gratitude, in words of appreciation.  I shall attempt to be more giving….of smiles, encouragement, and thanks.  Hopefully, the expensive perfume will anoint more people than just my Lord. 

Extravagant One....loose my restraints.  Amen. 

3.24.16  Maundy Thursday  John 13:8 MSG

Jesus said, “If I don’t wash you, you can’t be part of what I’m doing.”

            “Sometimes awkwardness can prevent us from pursuing a holy choice... “ writes author Brian Coulter.  The disciples were aghast that Jesus would submit to washing their feet.  They balked.  It didn’t feel ‘right’.  But sometimes holy feels awkward or even a bit of a stretch.  Sometimes we have to put ourselves ‘out there’ and let God work.  Yet holy is always about servanthood, about putting ourselves in the position to help others in a way that makes them feel good about themselves.  Jesus was never condescending in his help.  It was real, natural, and from the heart.  May we continue to be washed clean by our Savior, so we can wash the feet of others.         

Servant Lord, …. wash me anew.  Amen. 

3.25.16  Good Friday  Luke 23:34 MSG

Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them; they don’t know what they’re doing.”

            Father, forgive me, for I often don’t realize what I am doing either.  I don’t intentionally sin, but sometimes it happens.  And God forgives.  Jesus forgives in spite of the agony of crucifixion.  Why?  Because it is liberating.  To forgive frees us from the bondage of our wrongdoing.  To forgive another frees us from the brokenness a grudge can cause.  Jesus doesn’t wait, forgiveness is immediate.  Whom do I need to forgive?

Crucified Savior….forgiven, I forgive.  Amen. 

3.26.16  Holy Saturday  Psalm 96:9  VOICE

Bow down to the Eternal, adorned in holiness;
    Lay awestruck before Him, trembling, all people of the earth.

            Holy Saturday is a day of contemplation, darkness, and perhaps a touch of fear.  What has happened?  The sky turned black, the temple curtain tore, and people are trembling, hiding in corners and speaking in whispered tones.  We are awestruck at the severity of the verdict, the events of yesterday.  There is a touch of holy in the air, but we can’t quite put a grip on it.  So, we tremble ….. and wait. 

God, I tremble…at your glory and strength.  Amen.  

3.27.16  Easter Sunday  Romans 1:4  GNT

As to his divine holiness, he was shown with great power to be the Son of God by being raised from death.

            Jesus is holy.  Jesus is the Son of God.  Holy by resurrection.  We are holy heirs through the same resurrection, with the same responsibility to carry out the holy purpose God has granted to us.  We have been invited into a holy ‘club’ of believers, charged with the mission of the gospel.  How will we live into our holy lives?  Hallelujah!  He lives!  Hallelujah!  We live! 

Holiness….by resurrection.  Amen.