HolyThursday ~ Maundy Thursday

Maundy ~ comes from the Latin word mandatum or command.

At the Last Supper Jesus did more that just share a meal with his followers.
He shared symbolic teachings and gestures to nourish them in ways they could not understand.

When he took the bread he blessed it, broke it and distributed it - explaining that this was his body. Then he passed them a cup, telling them that this was his blood that would be poured out for the forgiveness of sins.

He then gave his followers a commandment. (Maundy)

JOHN 13:34-35

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

Before he was arrested Jesus washed the disciples feet and illustrated the kind of love he spoke of. His words and actions illustrate to us amazing humility and the spirit of servanthood.

I give thanks for these examples and pray I live, love and serve with greater faithfulness...oh that I would love him with my life!


I LOVE YOU WITH MY LIFE

Written and Sung By: Bryan Duncan


Jesus here I pray - On my knees before You.
I live for you today because I do adore you.

I will not be afraid - Only watch and pray to see your glad return.
I'll put my trust in you until my life is completed.
To all as unto you - believing what all You have stated.
I want to live in peace - in spite of tribulation - until You come again.

Please know that I love You and I will stay by Your side.
Worship You in spirit - Dear Lord be my guide.
Don't let me suffer long - cause You have suffered for me.

I love you with my life.


ROMANS 12:9 - 12
Love must be sincere.
Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Never be lacking zeal, but keep your spiritual fevor, serving the Lord.
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Share with God's people who are in need.
Practice hospitality.
v. 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good!

Why Jesus Came To Die

Here are a few excerpts from a book by John Piper called -
FIFTY REASONS WHY JESUS CAME TO DIE (click on title)

Plus Scripture from the Holy Word of God!!

Soak it in and meditate on His Great Grace and Love for us!!

Remembering that Holy Week is the most amazing wonderful week ever...and it always ends with a Resurrection!!


WHY JESUS CAME TO DIE

1. To Take Away Our Condemnation

The great conclusion to the suffering and death of Christ is this;
"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Romans 8:1

To be "in Christ" means to be in relationship to him by faith. Faith in Christ unites us to Christ so that his death becomes our death and his perfection becomes our perfection.

Who is to condemn?
Christ Jesus is the one who died - more than that, who was raised - who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Romans 8:34

The death of Christ secures our freedom from condemnation.

If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31

2. To Give Eternal Life To All Who Believe On Him

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him. John 3:36

Heaven is real...and so is hell!!

3. To Give Marriage It's Deepest Meaning

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.
Ephesians 5:25

God's design for marriage in the Bible pictures the husband loving his wife the way Christ loves his people, and the wife responding to her husband the way Christ's people should respond to Him.

4. To Unleash The Power of God In The Gospel

The word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18

May we embrace the Gospel of Christ and walk in it's power!

5. For The Forgiveness Of Our Sins

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses.
Ephesians 1:7

This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
Matthew 26:28


For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21


Have you received the Fathers love for you?
We all have sinned and all need a Savior...I pray you know Him this way?

The Bible says in Romans 10:9
That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord", and you believe in your heart that God was raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

Here is a simple prayer to pray to accept the Lord into your life.

Lord Jesus,

I acknowledge that you are the Son of God.
I confess to you that I am a sinner. Please forgive me and give me strength to overcome.
I receive your amazing your love for me through the demonstration of your suffering, death and resurrection. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins!
Thank you for the gift of eternal life that I now have in you!

Amen!

If any man be in Christ, he is a new creation ( born again). Old things have passed away and all things are made brand new!
2 Corinthians 5:21


I rejoice in knowing that the Lord saves and transforms lives...He has rescued me and continues to guide me along the journey.

If you surrendered to him today...I am here for you and would love to pray for you as you begin this new beginning!

Holy Week

This week always transports me back to my childhood and the memory of a cross that was assembled out of palm leaves and posted above of the door at the entry of our home.

Back then I did not understand or appreciate all the sacred meanings of that week. But now I can look back and see the significance and power of all it's detail.

This week on my blog I want to dig into the word and capture the moments and steps that led Christ closer to his crucifixion.

You will discover that the Lord finds this week so important that he designs all 4 Gospels to include the details of this victorious week! Matthew, Mark, Luke and John all tell of the Christ's Last Supper, Crucifixion and his Ressurection. I find that very interesting!

The journey begins with Palm Sunday (Passion Sunday) as Christ enter's into Jerusalem, where a segment of the roads were covered with cloaks and palm branches for him.


They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting,

"Hosanna!

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!

Blessed is the King of Israel!"
John 12:13


Palm branches have been used by nations as an emblem of joy and victory over the enemy.

May this week remind us to hold onto what we know to be true and the victory we have through the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world! Praise and Honor to Him!!

"Choose a suitable time for reflection and frequently consider the loving-kindness of God."
Thomas `a Kempis


Be Inspired,

Vern