To my Brothers & Sisters in Christ “…our Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you, the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace”- Numbers 6:24-26
Because of this time let’s make every effort to “Keep the Faith” and “Stay Connected” to one another.
Let’s Not Lose Easter!
Keep walking with Jesus in the last week of his life.
Palm Sunday: Triumphal entrance into Jerusalem- A time of Praise with your voice
Monday: Sanitizing Temple from ungodly practice. Matthew 21, Mark 11, Luke 19
Tuesday: Questioned & Confronted by Religious leaders- On what authority he had to cleanse the Temple?- Jesus responds by using 3 Parables
- Matthew 21:33-46
- Matthew 22:1
- Matthew 22:15
Rebuke of the Sadducees concerning the Resurrection (Matthew 22:23)
Wednesday: The inside job of a spy, Judas, has sealed the deal to betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver-ouch! (Matthew 26:14)- Keep praying for those who are backstabbers.
Thursday: Making preparations for the Traditional Passover. Disciples & Jesus introduces the sacrament of the Lord Supper (visible symbol), Eucharist (thanksgiving)- An event of the past that possesses the shaping power for an individual/ community transformation, once in the upper room, the Disciples experience Jesus washing their feet. (John 13:1).
Then once the Garden to pray through his agony (Matthew 26:30), Jesus is betrayed by midnight, and his arrest is complete. He is taken away to the High Priest.
Good Friday:: From the High Priests’ dungeon to Pontius Pilate, the case is tossed to Herod, and then sent back to Pilate who buckled down to religious leadership and the crowds that condemned Jesus to the cruel death by crucifixion. Jesus is taken by soldiers through the city, to the “Hill of Golgotha”, and by noon our Savior is nailed to the Cross for the 3 hours.
Make Good Friday one of reflections, no work, a fast (if you’re able) and prayer. Jesus dies, and is taken down from the cross and buried in a borrowed grave, under Roman guard.
Saturday: The body of Jesus is in the tomb, his soul among the dead, proclaiming hope of a resurrection II Peter 3:16.
“When the dead will hear the voice of the son of man, and those who hear it will live” -John 5:25
Jesus a light in dark places
Jesus is a cure for the cold of the soul- depression.
Sunday: the greatest event and celebration of all time “He has risen, and lives forevermore! Mary Magdalene and others experienced what we all hope to experience that we may know the power of his resurrection (Philippians 3:10)
Let’s Not lose this Easter!
Think, speak, and live life in the Glorious Light of Jesus’ Resurrection!
We as Christians will celebrate Easter in a biblical way this year sequestered in our homes like the 1st century disciples sequestered in the upper room disappointed, brokenhearted, afraid, confused, indoubt, and perhaps traumatized by what they had seen and experienced concerning Jesus’ crucifixion.
May Jesus show up where even you are, and bring Sunshine to your Soul!
Happy Resurrection!
Let’s Not Waste Easter
Suggestions-
- Go to your back or front yard for sunrise acknowledgement of Jesus’ Resurrection
- Video—interview with husband, wife, child, friend for 60 secs the question; how Jesus has changed their lives
- Take a picture of what your facial reaction would be if you found Jesus’ tomb empty, in the 1st Century
- Parents send video of kids your kids, or grandkids saying a bible verse
- Share your Resurrection Sunday reflections (Send them to the church email – NECC687@gmail.com)