Monthly Archives: April 2017

The Week that Was – The Last Supper

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Before Jesus was betrayed by Judas, He gathered his disciples together for one last time before his death.

Luke 22:14-23 New International Version (NIV)

14 When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. 15 And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.”

17 After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. 18 For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”

19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”

20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.[a] 21 But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table. 22 The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed. But woe to that man who betrays him!” 23 They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this.

 

 

The Week that Was -The Betrayal

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For thirty pieces of silver Judas Iscariot helped send Jesus to the cross, and then hung himself for this dastardly deed.

Luke 22New International Version (NIV)

Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus

22 Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching, 2 and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people. 3 Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve.4 And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. 5 They were delighted and agreed to give him money. 6 He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present.

Matthew 26:45–50, Christ is betrayed

The Week that Was – Parable of the Tenants

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With a few days left to live Jesus continues to preach and teach.

Luke 20:9-16 New International Version (NIV)

The Parable of the Tenants

9 He went on to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard, rented it to some farmers and went away for a long time.10 At harvest time he sent a servant to the tenants so they would give him some of the fruit of the vineyard. But the tenants beat him and sent him away empty-handed. 11 He sent another servant, but that one also they beat and treated shamefully and sent away empty-handed.12 He sent still a third, and they wounded him and threw him out.

13 “Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my son, whom I love; perhaps they will respect him.’

14 “But when the tenants saw him, they talked the matter over. ‘This is the heir,’ they said. ‘Let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’15 So they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.

“What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? 16 He will come and kill those tenants and give the vineyard to others.”

When the people heard this, they said, “God forbid!”

The Week that Was – Jesus at the Temple

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Following Palm Sunday, Jesus went to the temple and found it being used as a marketplace. At this point he had less than a week to live.

Jesus at the Temple

45 When Jesus entered the temple courts, he began to drive out those who were selling. 46 “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be a house of prayer’[c]; but you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’[d]”

47 Every day he was teaching at the temple. But the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the leaders among the people were trying to kill him. 48 Yet they could not find any way to do it, because all the people hung on his words.

Palm Sunday

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For those who do not know the Easter story here is a brief synopsis of Palm Sunday taken from the internet. Be blessed and enjoy this holy week.

Palm Sunday is the start of Holy Week, which is the week before Easter, commemorating events in the last days of Jesus Christ’s life. According to Christian belief, Jesus rode into Jerusalem where people gave him a hero’s welcome during the Jewish Passover celebration. They heard about his miracles and regarded him as the leader who would deliver them from the Roman Empire’s domination. They carried palm branches, which is a traditional symbol of victory, and spread them throughout the streets before him.

Many western churches have observed palm blessings and distributions to the congregation on Palm Sunday since the middle ages. Early references to Palm Sunday observations, including a procession and blessing of palms, go as far back as the fourth and eighth centuries. Many modern Christian churches, including the Catholic and eastern churches, as well as the Lutheran, Methodist, and Presbyterian churches celebrate Palm Sunday as part of Holy Week.

Tropical green palm leaf isolated on white with clipping path : Stock PhotoTropical green palm leaf isolated on white with clipping path : Stock Photo

 

From a Distance

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Okay, so I guess with the exception of those responsible for such an inhumane act as the recent chemical attack in Syria that killed over seventy people including children, the rest of the world is trying to digest this disgusting act of depravity. A recent Facebook comment was that someone would have to pay for this atrocity…and someone will. The victims died a horrible death…and for what?

In the meantime, here in our own country, people are killing each other daily with knives, guns, cars and stupidity if I may be so blunt as to say so…like the person seen driving and texting on the 401 highway a couple of weeks ago. I’m told that this is a common occurrence…a common occurrence? Why is that?

We, as a concerned people see these things going on and wonder what can be done about them. One thing we should not do is become complacent. When we see it we should act on it whether it is by writing a letter, making a phone call, or bringing awareness by other means…or stepping up to the plate and taking responsibility for whatever infinitesimal part we may play in the unfolding of world chaos.

Whether we are witnessing and condoning by silence, or refusing to get involved, we are part of the problem if we continue to keep our distance.

Each time we turn our backs on family, ignore the helpless, pretend it’s okay to blame someone else for our own inadequacies, we are contributing to the atrocities of the world. You don’t think so? Just ask the One who is watching from a distance.

NGC 7293 The Helix Nebula (NASA, ESA, and The Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA))

 

Who is the Wind Beneath Our Wings?

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In this Season of Lent, it is comforting to realize that the Cross was not for nothing…true to His word, Jesus, after his death, sent the Holy Spirit.

John 14:16 New International Version (NIV).  And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever…

I’ve always believed it to be the Holy Spirit who is the wind beneath my wings. I still do. Happy Sunday.