The Passion Week

This week is commemorated around the world as the week of Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem, His last supper with his disciples, His prayer of surrender in the garden, and His beating, crucifixion, and death. May we never lose sight of all that Christ endured so that we could be free. Many times, we come to these special seasons without taking the time to properly remember them. The beauty and significance of Christ's final week becomes lost in the shuffle of Easter egg hunts, shopping for new outfits, preparing lunch for family, and the list goes on. This year may we purpose to take time out of our busy schedules and just be still in His presence. Take some time to read each of the four gospel accounts of Jesus' final week on earth. Ask God to show you something new about our Savior as you read. The Easter story is so rich and significant and it should never become just another day or event that we celebrate. It is the fulfillment of God's great redemption plan. Jesus Christ was the lamb who was slain to take away the sins of the world. When Christ began His journey to Jerusalem that final week, he sent Peter and John ahead to prepare the place for the Passover Meal. Preparing for the Passover was a huge undertaking and I often wonder if Peter and John understood that this was not just another annual celebration, no, this was THE Passover Lamb sitting down at the table with them. The Jewish celebration of Passover has such rich meaning and I challenge you to research it yourself if you haven't already. Imagine Christ in the father role re-telling the story of the exodus from Egypt, dipping his finger into the cup of deliverance and recounting the 10 plagues that befell Egypt. Can you imagine his emotions as he recounted that tenth plague when the death angel passed over every house covered by the blood of the lamb? When the meal was over and it was time to drink from the third cup - the cup of redemption, Christ instituted a new practice. It is the cup of redemption that is the new covenant in His blood. In Exodus 6, God told Moses that He would redeem Israel with an outstretched arm. In Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, we see Christ fulfill that promise to the uttermost. With an outstretched arm against a wooden cross, he offers full redemption to anyone who will believe. Celebrate Christ this Easter - our great Redeemer.