4/11/22

Hello again! Holy Week has come and I have been away from my daily post far too long. I have been fighting back issues, now doing physical therapy and meds for relief. We’ve had family things, travelling, the same issues we all deal with on a regular basis. As things got more complex, it became easier and easier to put off writing every morning. It just goes to show how quickly any of us can fall out of a faith routine if we don’t practice it regularly. My apologies for my weakness, I’ll do my best to not succumb to laziness again, at least regarding daily posts. Bless you all for the inquiries and messages of encouragement! May we walk through Holy Week (and always!) with the remembrance of what Jesus has done for us and what He calls us to do for one another.

Our scripture this morning is Hebrews 9:11-15.

‘But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant. ‘

God has made covenants with us from the very beginning. He promised Abraham who was old and childless that he would be the father of nations (Genesis 15:5). He promised the children of Israel that He would be their God and they His people (Exodus 19:5). Through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, God offers us a new covenant, that we are washed clean of our sins and called to go to all the world in His name.

Holy Week is a time when we remember the final days of Christ’s earthly ministry – the lessons He taught right up to His death, the courage He displayed in the face of evil, and the love He showed even to those who crucified Him (Luke 23:34). He had told us before “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13). We are all called to sacrifice for the good of others, as Jesus did for us.

That’s a pretty heavy instruction, but Christ expects us to take up our own cross and follow Him. While we may be called to give our lives for others as He did, I believe we are also called to give our lives to others, to share the joy we know in Jesus and live in love for God’s children as He did. This is the New Covenant we are called to, God’s promise of eternal life with Him.

Gracious God, we are amazed at Your love for us and blessed by Your sacrifice. Help us to live in Your love and share it with everyone everywhere. We kneel at the foot of the cross and commit ourselves to the coming of Your kingdom. Amen.

2 Comments

  1. Thank you so much. I love Holy Week and Resurrection Day!
    Christ’s love for ME is unfathomable!
    Glad you’re back and posting. Hope things are better.

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