The Week That Changed the World - Parts I & II

I'm going to do something a little different this week.  It's Holy Week.  I got this from my sister, Dottie, and it reminded me of when I lived in Fort Worth.  Each year during Holy Week, the church across from the office building where I worked downtown, would offer lunchtime devotionals.  Each day offered a different message presented by a leader of a different demonitation.  This church truly demonstrated what Jesus preached all those years ago, "love thy neighbor" and that we are all one when gathered in His Name.  I hope you enjoy the messages.

 

The Week that Changed the World

I magine yourself in first-century Israel. The Roman Empire is in charge; your daily activities monitored and controlled by their military police. The Jewish sacrificial system dominates your religious life with its cycle of rituals and traditions. You have no reason to believe that things will ever improve.  Then a Galilean carpenter and itinerant rabbi rides into Jerusalem on a donkey, and your world will never be the same.  This week, the Son of God will die for the sins of the entire human race, yours included.  He will be raised from the grave to prove that you can live forever. Easter will spark the mightiest movement in human history. The spiritual army birthed by Jesus’ resurrection will eventually topple the Roman Empire and bring hope to billions of people across 20 centuries. This is the week that changed the world.  How will it change yours?

Sunday, April 1Palm Sunday

Conquering kings in the ancient world returned home on majestic white steeds, surrounded by their loyal armies and followed by their captives. Grateful subjects welcomed their heroes by laying palm branches on the ground before them.  When the King of Kings and Lord of Lords rode into his Holy City in triumph, His victory parade could not have been more different. His armies were peasant disciples; His steed was a lowly donkey. Scripture had predicted the scene centuries earlier: 

See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey (Zechariah 9:9).

Rather than waging war, He would come to “take away the chariots from Ephraim and the war-horses from Jerusalem,” for He would “proclaim peace to the nations.” Now “His rule will extend from sea to sea . . . to the ends of the earth” (v. 10).

On this Palm Sunday, Jesus rides on the faith of His followers all across the world. We gather to lay the palm branches of our praise before our King. We seek the peace He alone can give, submitting to our King and to His rule over our lives and our world.  Tragically, not all join us. When Jesus came to Jerusalem and saw the city, “he wept over it” (Luke 19:41). He grieved for the multitudes who would reject His transforming grace. As He comes, does He weep for those in our community who do not yet know him? Do we?

Sunday begins the week that changed the world. Join the celebration. And share the joy.

Monday, April 2Cleansing his Temple and Yours

Matthew 21:12-17

When you were a child, how did you picture Jesus? Kind and gracious, “meek and mild”?  Not on Monday of Holy Week. After announcing Himself to the crowds as the Messiah on Palm Sunday, He returned to the suburb of Bethany in the night. On Monday morning, He and His disciples walked back into the Holy City.

Along the way Jesus cursed a fig tree which did not bear fruit. Since the vine was a symbol for the nation of Israel, His action showed that the religious legalism that their society was bankrupt and that God wants our lives to make a difference for His Kingdom. In the Temple, He found moneychangers charging exorbitant rates to convert money into the currency required to buy animals for sacrifice. They then demanded unfair prices for the only animals the priests would accept.  In anger, Jesus drove these corrupt merchants from God’s “house of prayer” (Matthew 21:13). His action infuriated and embarrassed the religious authorities who profited by their extortion. Then He rejected the racial prejudice of His culture by welcoming Gentiles who wanted to meet him.

At Home today, you are the Temple of God’s Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16-17). Take time to look over Matthew 21:12-17 and discuss ways you might honor God with your life:

Is your house pure? (v. 12)

Is your house dedicated to prayer? (v. 13)

Is your house filled with power? (v. 14)

Is your house committed to praise? (vs. 15-16)

Pray, asking God to help you be holy and useful for his glory. And pray that we will honor Christ with our witness and worship.

Ciao!  De ;)

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Go visit Julie and get her recipe for Easter Story Cookies.

 

Tags: Holy Week