Welcome to Holy week.
Have you ever found yourself imagining that you are following behind Jesus in the Holy week, actually walking in his footprints that final week of his human life? I have. Have you listened to Him, dined with Him and had your feet washed by Him? Have you ever made that final journey with him to the very end? I haven’t. I know that if I could make it to Sunday, everything would be all right. All the prophesies have come to pass! We have a risen Savior who lived, suffered and died, for me and for you.
Somehow, I can’t get beyond Thursday though.
“Jesus was alone. He had come to His own, and His own did not receive Him. When He was being arrested in the garden of Gethsemane, we are told that “all the disciples deserted him and fled” (Matthew 26:56). The crowds who had so recently shouted, “Hosanna!” would soon shout, “Crucify him! … Crucify him!” (Matthew 21:9; 27:22–23). Now even His loyal Twelve had left. And at last we hear Him cry out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34). Not only had He been forsaken by His human companions, but now in that desperate and lonely hour, He— because He was bearing our sins in His own body on the cross—had been forsaken by God. Jesus was enduring the suffering and judgment of Hell for you and for me.” (“Victory”)
“Jesus was alone”?? Those three words alone break my heart! The disciples had been such an important part of His ministry, and yet, they deserted Him when trouble came. One of those disciples, betrayed Him, the Son of God, for 30 pieces of silver. And all of the crowds who had listened to His teachings, witnessed His miracles and been blessed by His love, shouted “crucify Him!”
I can’t get beyond Thursday because even though Sunday is coming, we still have to acknowledge Friday. And I don’t want to. I don’t want to acknowledge that because of my human weakness and sin, it was necessary for Jesus to go through with Friday. He would be beaten, spit on, nailed to a cross to suffer until death claimed Him. He knew it was coming and what it would entail and He still went through with it. Because through His selfless sacrifice, He could save us. That’s why I can’t get through Thursday in his footsteps or even this post without crying from a broken heart. How strong He is and how weak I am!
I can’t get through Thursday without falling on my knees and begging for forgiveness again. Because even knowing all He gave, I am still a lowly sinner in need of His grace and mercy.
But Sunday’s coming!
Pray Unceasingly!!
Lois
Excerpt from “Victory” Preparing for Resurrection Sunday by Billy Graham
Easter is a season of great gladness for those who know Christ. But for those who are without “the light of the knowledge of God’s glory” (2 Corinthians 4:6), there is nothing to rejoice over. Jesus left us with the great hope and certainty that He is going to return to bring a new Heaven and a new earth where, we are told, there will be no more sorrow, trouble, or death for those who have believed and followed Him. There will be trouble, sorrow, and suffering for those who have neglected or rejected Him. As Christians, our great task is to obey the command to tell the whole world about Christ crucified, buried, yet risen again. My prayer for you during this season of the year, when we meditate on our Savior’s great sacrifice for us on the cross, is that you will be filled with great peace and hope, because “He is risen!” That is the Good News.