TEACHING

.This is the week that we remember The Passion of The Christ. Each day of that last week was special. This week we pause to reflect, relive, and respond to the suffering Christ endured for you and for me. This week let’s ponder the Wonder of Easter.

On Saturday of Passion Week, expensive perfume was poured upon the head of Jesus, which would soon be pierced with thorns. And upon the feet of Jesus, which would soon be pierced with nails. The body of Jesus was being anointed for the day of His burial.

Allow your heart to appreciate the powerful earthy scent of the fragrance which would linger in His hair and on His body. The Wonder of Easter ––Read John 12:1-11 and worship Him.

On Sunday of Passion Week, Jesus purposefully rode into Jerusalem on the day known as Lamb Selection Day, fulfilling ancient prophecies. Almighty God was presenting His Lamb to Israel. The jubilant crowds laid palm branches upon the road and the sounds of cheering voices cried out, "Hosanna!" "Blessed is the Son of David!" "Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord!" Just days later those same voices would be screaming, "Crucify Him!!!"

Allow your heart to hear their voices echoing through the air just as the Savior heard them. The Wonder of Easter ––Read Luke 19:28-44 and worship Him.

On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of Passion Week, Jesus spent much time in the Temple explaining one last time the Kingdom of God, teaching the ways of God, displaying the love of God, and imploring the people of God in Jerusalem to hear. But the Pharisees sarcastically played word games, refused to hear Him, and finalized their sneaky plot to kill Him.

Allow your heart to "listen" to the sarcasm in their voices, and "hear" the wondrous love in the voice of Jesus, the Teacher, the willing substitute for their sin. The Wonder of Easter –– Read Mark 11:27-12:17 and Matthew Chapters 23, 24 and 25 and worship Him.

On Thursday evening, Jesus celebrated His last Passover supper with His disciples, explaining that all the prior Passover celebrations pointed forward to Him. Then hours later He became The Passover Lamb for them and for us.

Allow your heart to "see" Jesus washing the feet of His bewildered disciples. At the Third Cup of wine –– the Cup of Salvation ––Jesus transformed the beautiful elements of the Jewish Passover celebration into the offering of His own body and blood. The Wonder of Easter –– Read Exodus 12:1-7, 12-13; Matthew 26:26-29

And suddenly, the fullness of time arrived. The purpose for which Messiah came from Heaven to earth was about to be fulfilled. Jesus willingly went to the Garden of Gethsemane and offered Himself to His betrayers. Jesus willingly appeared before arrogant Caiphas, and Annas, and Pilate, and Herod. Jesus willingly accepted their abuse and stood silently, as The Lamb of God led to the slaughter. Jesus willingly endured the scourging, the spitting, the crown of thorns, and the cruel mocking. Jesus heard the shofar sound the offering of the Morning Sacrifice at the nearby Temple at 9:00 am as He went on the cross. He again heard the shofar sound the offering of the Evening Sacrifice at 3:00 pm. Jesus willingly endured The Cross and fulfilled the promises as The Perfect Sacrifice.

And all the time, He was thinking of us. Loving us. Paying our debt.  Rescuing us. Jesus willingly died for you and me. The Wonder of Easter.

This week spend time alone with Jesus. Read the Gospel accounts of The Crucifixion. Ask God to allow your heart to experience the emotion, the tension, the raw hate of the sinners, and the pure love of the Father as He gave His only Son and then turned His Face away so He could forgive our sin.

Make time to thank God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit that our sins are forgiven and our hope of Heaven is secure. Thank God for the Wonder of Easter.

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