[Message: Pastor Philip Joseph. Hope I haven’t missed much. Happy reading…]
The gospel books in the Bible-Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, tell us about the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. We know that Jesus lived on this earth for about 33½ years. Very little is written on Jesus’ initial 30 years, before His ministry; quite a lot of writing describe Jesus’ ministry as He went about preaching the good news of the kingdom of God and healing the sick, casting out demons, performing miracles… But a huge portion of the gospel is entirely dedicated to the happenings just before Jesus’ death on the cross. For example, 1/3rd of the book of Mark’s gospel describes the last week of Jesus life on earth.
This week is celebrated as the Holy Week starting from today-Palm Sunday, through Good Friday to Easter Sunday. We who are Christians, have read, meditated and known these celebrations from our childhood days. We may think we know all about it; but, I pray the Holy Spirit will reveal to us the significance of these happenings of the ‘Holy Week’, starting from the triumphal entry of Jesus’ into Jerusalem.
The prophet had foretold 430 years before, that the ‘King’ would come on a lowly donkey: “Tell the daughter of Zion, Behold, your King is coming to you, lowly, and sitting on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey.” [Matt. 21:5]. The streets of Jerusalem, on that Palm Sunday, were filled with joyous celebration. Even the children shouted “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!” And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying “Who is this?” [Matt. 21:9, 10].
Do you recognize Jesus? Will you shout “Hosanna” or will you say “Who is this?” Eyes to see, and ears to hear, and a heart to perceive-this is my prayer today-for you, whether you are a young child, or a youth or an elderly person.
Unique and significant happenings of that last week, has repercussions down through the ages for people of every nation, every tongue, every tribe; an impression that would last an entire lifetime of a believer, and a significance and meaning for life now and after.
- Significant Giving: Mark 14: 3-9 and Mark 12:41-43
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| Thw widow...threw in two mites Picture from http://www.bibleexplained.com/ |
A woman broke a flask of very costly fragrant oil and poured it on Jesus’ head. A flask of perfume that costs 10 months salary! What this signifies to me is that no sacrifice is too great to give to Jesus. There may be people who will say, “Why this waste?” and why not give for some social cause and good work. But Jesus loves a cheerful giver; He said “Let her alone… she has come beforehand to anoint My body for burial. Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.”
A poor widow came to give an offering and “threw in two mites…”; So He {Jesus} called His disciples to Himself and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury;”
There is so much to give and so much to do! Would you give Him what you have? And would you give Him in spite of what you have?
- Significant Serving: John 13:5-14
In those days, the roads were dusty; there were no cement and tar roads that we have now. And it was a custom to wash one’s feet with water on entering a house. Jesus, on His last supper, was gathered in a house with His disciples. After the supper, Jesus took a towel and a basin of water and washed His disciples’ feet. Peter refused the first time; but Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.”
Jesus explained the significance of His act, saying “…you also ought to wash one another’s feet.” (John 13:14). Do you see the need of those around? It’s easy to pray and leave it to God. But God is calling you to fulfill the need of your brothers and sisters around you. See the need? Serve.
- Significant Emblems: Luke 22:19-21
In that last supper, Jesus took the bread and the cup and said: “This is my body which is given for you…” and “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you…”: Do this in remembrance of Me.
The birthday of Jesus is not mentioned; but His death day has been destined since time began; He will be the Passover Lamb. His blood will cover us. Just as the angel of death ‘passed over’ the blood covered doorposts of the houses of Israelites in Egypt, so the blood of the New Covenant covers those who believe in Jesus Christ. Are you protected? When was the last time you shared in the body and blood of Jesus Christ? As often as you do it, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes. (1 Cor. 11:26)
- Significant prayer: John 17: 1-26
Jesus loves you. He loved you while He was here on earth, and He loves you now, in heaven. He remembered you and me in that significant prayer.
Yes, He prayed for Himself. But He did not stop with that! He continued in intercessory prayer (a large part of John17) for His disciples, and also for every person who would believe through the word of His disciples!
You must pray for yourself. But pray for others too. Pray that you do not enter into temptation (Luke 22:40); and pray also for others. Let God’s love be in you.
In the garden of Gethsemane, the prayer of Jesus was so intense that His sweat turned into blood drops! Luke, a medical doctor by profession, surely knows what he is talking about! (Luke 22:44). Today, we hear doctors confirming that this is possible; that with great intensity and stress, blood vessels may break. But the significance of that prayer is echoed in Jesus’ words: It is enough {over}! The victory over the cross and shame was done there in that intense prayer of Gethsemane. No more troubled spirit and soul; Jesus victoriously went to the cross!
Whatever is your prayer, let it be significant; let it be for others too; let it be intense. Jesus prayed for you and me; He is still praying an intercessory prayer- that our strength will not fail. Be strong! Be courageous! And God will grant you the victory.
- Significant Suffering: Matt. 27: 22-23
The crowds that shouted “Hosanna” somehow changed their tone within a week to shout “Crucify Him!” The governor said, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they cried out all the more saying, “Let Him be crucified!”
Peter writes a first-hand account of what happened that night and its significance. He says: For to this you were called because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: “Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth”, who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;… (1 Peter 2:21-23)
What do the crowds say about you; it really does not matter. They may shout praises one moment and heap abuses the next; it happened to Jesus! Even the judiciary may not help your case sometimes; they may succumb to populist pressures {read media perversion}. “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The LORD will judge His people.” It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. [Heb. 10: 30, 31]
Give your best… and give all your suffering to Him who judges righteously. Love and serve; remember His covenant of body and blood and pray the intense prayer of your life. Amen.
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