Roy’s Ramblings
I can hardly believe that this coming week is Holy Week – the time we remember/celebrate/grieve the last week of Jesus on earth. It starts with Palm Sunday … Palm Fronds, Hallelujah’s, cheers from the crowd … all with a backdrop of religious leaders getting more and more furious and the start of the plot to kill Jesus.
We move to Monday and Jesus goes to the Temple and finds corruption and greed. He clears the Temple and chases the moneychangers out. Another act of Jesus that added fuel to the fire of the already furious religious leaders … but yet another act of Jesus turning the events of the day back toward the Glory of God.
Tuesday comes and Jesus and his disciples leave the city to head to the Mount of Olives. But, before they go Jesus has an encounter with the Religious leaders once again: “Blind guides!…For you are like whitewashed tombs—beautiful on the outside but filled on the inside with dead people’s bones and all sorts of impurity. Outwardly you look like righteous people, but inwardly your hearts are filled with hypocrisy and lawlessness…Snakes! Sons of vipers! How will you escape the judgment of hell?” (Matthew 23:24-33). He then gets to the Mount of Olives where he teaches the Disciples of the end of times, second coming, and final judgment. All of this while the Sanhedrin negotiate with Judas Iscariot.
Wednesday … Scripture tells us nothing of Wednesday. But, we can imagine that Jesus rested a bit. Someone set in motion all the details of the Passover Meal/Last Supper in the upper room … I imagine that Jesus and his friends hung out, shared stories, and in some form or fashion … Jesus said goodbye.
Thursday comes and the big feast. Good food – Good wine – all of the ritual with words and actions … except … Jesus does it all wrong!! First, Jesus washed the disciples’ feet. The job of a slave or servant. Then, he changes the passover ritual and institutes the first Communion. Everyone but Jesus was confused … and then … in comes Judas – the kiss – the arrest – Jesus gone. Peter denies Christ and a Rooster Crows.
Friday, very early, the mock trial starts. Fake witnesses, hurried verdict, the back and forth between Religious Leaders and Roman Officials. Jesus is finally found “Guilty” and is tortured and crucified. Time passes – words said – last breath – It Is Finished! Nicodemus and Joseph take Jesus’ body from the cross and place it in the tomb. Large Stone … put into place. It’s over. …………. Except ………. <To Be Continued>
Bless You All – Pastor Roy