On the Christian calendar Holy Week observances begin with
the Palm Sunday celebration of
CHRIST’s “triumphant entry” into Jerusalem as Savior and King: “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father
David! Hosanna in the highest!” Matthew 21:9.
These final eight days of our SAVIOR’s ministry on earth conclude
with His arrest, crucifixion, and resurrection, Easter Sunday!
Monday –
- JESUS clears out the temple when He observes people using it for dishonest trading in sacrificial animals rather than for prayer and worship: He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves!” Matthew 21:13
- JESUS curses a fig tree and by the following day it had withered; He uses the event to teach us and His disciples about what we too can achieve by faith – “Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him.” Mark 11:22-23
- JESUS identifies those who will accept Him and His sacrifice when the priests and Pharisees challenge His authority. He uses two parables, the Two Sons and the Evil Farmers to make His point that the promise of the Messiah will be extended to the Gentile Nation – to anyone who believes the CHRIST. I tell you, the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a nation that will produce the proper fruit. Matthew 21:43
Tuesday –
- JESUS teaches in the temple for the last time and the religious leaders try to entrap Him into making seditious and blasphemous statements about state and religious laws but He is not deceived and surprises them with His understanding. “…give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.”; And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Mark 12:13-44
- JESUS discusses His second coming and warns us to be ready and on constant watch. “…no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. And since you don’t know when that time will come, be on guard! Stay alert!” Mark 13:33-34
- JESUS gives an invitation to all mankind to accept His sacrifice at the cross. He uses a parable in which the invited guests of honor offends the host by making silly excuses and the host extends the invitation to “anyone” willing to come: And he said to his servants, ‘The wedding feast is ready, and the guests I invited aren’t worthy of the honor. Now go out to the street corners and invite everyone you see.’ Matthew 22:8-9
Wednesday –
- JESUS visits the home of Simon the leper in Bethany where a woman He had healed previously anoints Him with an expensive oil. People there expressed disapproval but JESUS commended the woman: “I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed.” Mark 14:9
- JESUS betrayal is set in motion by Judas. Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, went to the leading priests to arrange to betray Jesus to them. Mark 14:10-11
Scripture references are from Matthew 21-22; Mark 11-14.
Prayer and Thanksgiving: Our
FATHER in Heaven, YOU are our SAVIOR, LORD and KING. We tremble to think that the
betrayal of YOUR SON’s was by one of His own friends; a person who knew Him
intimately and who broke bread with him. Father, we pray that YOU give us strength
to walk faithfully with JESUS, even when the road is rough. Teach us to honor
the message of the cross even when it may seem like foolishness. Thank YOU that
YOUR covenant with us will never be broken. Remind us that betrayal is not in
YOUR nature, LORD, that YOUR faithfulness and goodness are steady and sure. Forgive
us when we stumble and drift and feel lost by our own sinfulness and give us the
grace to endure our troubles. Father, may we keep our focus always on the revealed
glory of your kingdom, through your SON, JESUS CHRIST, who lives and reigns
with you forever. To YOU belong all dominion, all power and all
glory, for ever and ever. We pray and ask all things in the matchless Name of JESUS
CHRIST our LORD. Amen!
Always by God’s Word and prayer,
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