As We Approach Easter
Hello Friends,
The timeline of Jesus’ movements leading up to His Resurrection show the tension of this week. We see Jesus calmly following his path to the Cross. We also see Jesus dealing with different groups of people who were in Jerusalem.
Perhaps you feel a similar tension: you have a peace inside about who you are and the path ahead of you and at the same time life seems chaotic and people’s demands overwhelming.
Maybe thinking about Jesus’ week leading up to the Cross will give you some perspective:
Friday “Six Days before the Passover” (John 12:1-11)
This evening started out quietly with Jesus having dinner at Mary, Martha and Lazarus’ house. Out of gratitude to Jesus for her brother’s life and with some understanding of what was to come, Mary poured perfume over Jesus’ feet. Her personal act of devotion was then broken up by Judas’ talk about money and a crowd of people pouring into the house who wanted to see Jesus and Lazarus.
Saturday “Sabbath”
A day of rest and prayer when no work is done.
Sunday “First Day of the Week” (Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-44, John 12:12-19)
Jesus entered Jerusalem in a way that fulfilled the centuries old prophecy of Zechariah 9:9. It was a public announcement of Jesus’ claim that he was the Messiah promised in the Scriptures. The crowd went wild!
Monday “The Next Day” (Matthew 21:10-17, Mark 11:15-18, Luke 19:45-48)
Jesus returned to the temple and, seeing the money changers in the place reserved for non-Jews to worship (“Court of the Gentiles”), Jesus drove them out saying “My house is to be a house of prayer for all nations”. That brought an end to everyone’s plans to have a quiet day of prayer at the Temple.
Tuesday “The Teacher” (Matthew 21:23-24:51, Mark 11:27-13:37, Luke 20:1-21:36)
Jesus’ teaching put Jerusalem’s religious leaders on edge. He spoke directly and also through parables. The message was clear though: change was coming.
Thursday “A New Commandment” (Matt 26:17-30, Mark 14:12-26, Luke 22:7-23, John 13:1-30)
Jesus ate the Passover Meal (also called the “Sedar”) with his disciples in the upper room. He gaves a new commandment: “Love one another as I have loved you” That kind of love requires the humility that Jesus showed when he washed his disciples’ feet. This was the night he was betrayed.
Friday “The Crucifixion” (Matt 27:1-66, Mark 15:1-47, Luke 22:66-23:56, John 18:28-19:37)
Friday (before evening) to Sunday morning
Jesus’ body was place in the tomb before sundown Friday night. It was a time of mourning and quiet agony for those who loved Jesus.
Sunday “Resurrection Day” (Matt 28:1-13, Mark 16:1-20, Luke 24:1-49, John 20:1-31)
A cry rang out breaking the dead silence: “He’s alive!”
Everyone is invited to our Good Friday Music Worship “At His Name” that shares the meaning of Easter and the hope we have in Jesus. Rev. Joseph Chan will be preaching in Mandarin and English. We will share in the communion as a church.
On Easter Sunday we are back in the main sanctuary. Service begins at 10am.
For the next two to three months, we will hold our Sunday Bible class in the church basement, starting at 11:30am. In the next months, we are having a renovation in the 2nd floor chapel so we will keep to downstairs for our class. Coffee and conversation from 11am to 11:30am. Class will be from 11:30am to 12:30pm.
Blessings,
Pastor Nolan