FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK:

Jesus teach us some of the most important lessons in the last days he expend on earth. He provides us with an excellent opportunity to study and to learn even more about what his suffering, death and resurrection mean to us. There are the lessons of repentance, compassion, humility, service, obedience, perseverance and sacrifice.

Palm Sunday: The City of Sacrifice

Jesus said, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death.” Matthew 20: 18

Jerusalem was the city of sacrifice. From all over Israel, Jews were gathering to make sacrifices in the Lord’s temple for the festival of Passover. On Palm Sunday, however, Jesus knew that he was not entering Jerusalem to sacrifice a beast of a bird. He was coming to sacrifice himself. It would be he who would be handed over to the chief priest who normally performed the sacrificial rituals. It would be his death that the people gathered in this town would clamor for.

Though the chief priests and the people of Jerusalem did not know it at the time, when Jesus was entering into their city on Palm Sunday, he was making him-self available to them for sacrifice. He did this so that people in all the cities of the world might be saved. He did it because he knew that his death would mean life for us all.

Maundy Thursday: A Sacrament of Sacrifice

Jesus took a loaf of bread, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood” Matthew 26: 26-27

On Maundy Thursday, we remember the sacrament of Holy Communion, which Jesus instituted on that night. In many respects, this sacrament could be called a Sacrament of Sacrifice. For in the bread and wine of this sacred meal, we receive our Savior’s very body that was broken and his very blood that was shed.

As this bread and wine cross our lips, thoughts of Christ’s sacrifice cross our minds, as well. We contemplate that Christ gave of himself on the cross so that we might share in his new life today. We ponder the fact that Christ gave of his love in this sacrament so long ago so that we might partake of his love even now. And we remind ourselves that the salvation which Christ poured out for all people flows into each one of us who come to his table on that night to take and eat and take and drink.

Good Friday: The End

When Jesus had received the wine, he said, “It is finished.” Then He bowed his head and gave up his spirit. John 19: 30

When we read stories to children, we often say “The End” when we are done.

Jesus uttered the equivalent of “The End” on Good Friday when he said, “It is finish-ed.” With these word, he let the world know that his sacrifice was complete, that he had accomplished what he came here to do. He had taken on human flesh. He had taken on our many sins. And on the cross, he had taken upon himself al of the pun-ishment that we deserved. As the last moments of Christ’s extraordinary life ticked by, he made it clear to everyone that nothing more needed to be done. He had done it all.

Because of what Christ did on that day, we can confidently say “The End” to the power of sin in our lives. We can say “The End” to any hold the devil has had on our lives. And we can say “The End” to anything that may have kept us away from our God. Good Friday marks the end of the forces of evil in the lives of all who be-lieve, and it marks the beginning of a blessed reunion with our God.

Easter Sunday: Just As He Said

He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Matthew 28: 6

One thing Easter teaches us is that Jesus keeps his promises. The women who went to the tomb on Easter morning learned that lesson in a very dramatic fashion. They were greeted at the tomb by angels who said that Jesus had risen “just as he said.” Jesus’ words have meaning. Jesus’ words are true. And Jesus’ words can be trusted. We see that most profoundly on that Easter morning, when Jesus did what he said. He rose on the third day and granted eternal life to all who believe. These

were promises that Jesus had made throughout his ministry, and these are the promises that have now come to pass.

This resurrection day assures us that all of Christ’s words will come to pass. When the risen Jesus says, “Peace be with you,” we know that we will receive peace from him. When the risen Jesus says, “Do not be afraid,” we know that we have no reason to fear. And when the risen Jesus says, “I will be with you always,” we know that he will be by our side forever. Easter proves to us that we can constantly count on Christ’s words! Alleluia! And Amen!

Pastor Dora