Just some early morning thoughts from me to you…
“A jar of sour wine was sitting there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put it on a hyssop branch, and held it up to his lips.
When Jesus had tasted it, he said, ‘It is finished!’
Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”
John 19: 29-30 (NLT)
Holy Week.
A time for reflection, perspective, gratitude and renewed hope.
A time which penetrates the hollow promises of the world and the false journeys of those serving a secular agenda, a search for power and self-image, for personal prestige, worldly accomplishments and recognition.
Holy Week is the final week of the season of Lent, commemorated by the Christian church and identifying the events beginning with Palm Sunday and leading up to and including Easter Sunday, all which first occurred during this week over two thousand years ago.
Yesterday was Palm Sunday—where Jesus entered Jerusalem on a borrowed donkey colt to begin His march to the Cross.
A young donkey, a colt, never before having been ridden now carrying Jesus into Jerusalem to the cries of “Hosanna,” translated from Hebrew meaning—“Jesus help” or “Save us, Lord”—as the crowd waves palm branches before Him while He rides in.
Maundy Thursday, or Holy Thursday, commemorating Jesus’ washing of the feet of the Apostles, and His Last Supper with the Apostles in the Upper Room. The first Communion.
And of course, Good Friday, where Christ was nailed to the Cross and died for you and for me.
Leading to Easter Sunday, and remembering that the tomb was empty, that Christ had risen, was alive, and is alive this very day—for you and for me.
All summarily encapsulated in Christ’s triumphant words made with the very last measure of His breath on the Cross of—
“It is finished!”
A shout of victory.
A statement of assurance and completion.
A part of God’s sacrificial plan for the eternal salvation of His children, now fulfilled through His Son’s death on the cross leading to His Resurrection to life, three days later.
“It is finished!”
What He came to do thirty-three years earlier was fulfilled and completed.
For the fullness of our lives then, and now, with Him.
For our eternal place in Heaven with Him, realizing what He has done for us, and when we voluntarily reach up and out to ask Him into our lives as our personal Savior and Lord.
Holy Week.
A time of personal reflection, perspective, gratitude and renewed hope.
“It is finished!”
A shout of victory, and the promise of eternal triumph.
For you and me.
Forever and ever—Amen and Amen!
In His Name–Scott
