Good Gracious
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Below you will find articles from this newsletter and other articles published by Grace Church.
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Good Gracious
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Peace That Comes After Holy Week and Easter
There was almost too much in that last week of Jesus’ life. The Gospel writers give more attention to that last week than to any other part of Jesus’ earthly ministry. We know that this last week is the culmination of the three-year presentation of God’s plan for humanity, newly presented in Jesus Himself. In it, Jesus pays all the cost for us to know God. In it, Jesus sees the agreement of the crowd as He triumphally enters Jerusalem as Messiah and only a few days later experiences a crowd asking the Romans to torture Him to death. The highest highs and the lowest lows all in one week.
Then if being surprised by how bad it could get bowls over the disciples, the great reversal happens on Easter morning. Jesus proves that what he had taught about Him being Master even over life and death is true. In Jesus’ historic resurrection, Easter becomes the greatest hope of mankind, and the beginning of the conquering of death itself. Give yourself anew to Him today.
After this dramatic week that we call holy and dedicated to God in the most special of ways, we go back to life. The everyday life we live. We remember Christmas morning is just a morning. Holy Week is just a week. But now we have time with the One who wants to meet with us everyday. This is the One that came through the locked doors of our lives and lies. From John 20: 19-20:
19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.
Fear and anxiety had locked up the disciples. They believed they would be next in line for capital punishment. Instead, Jesus allowed their eyes to be fixed on Him and He gave them the peace they need to be His ministers, elders, leaders and followers in the most difficult of times. They succeeded. And the message continues today, nearly 2,000 years later. We can continue on as well and succeed, with our eyes on the One who brings us peace.
Thanks be to God. Hallelujah.
Pastor Jonathan
