March 21, 2016
Part 2, continued
As you may know, this week, we are approaching an important day that radically changed everything. ~ HOPE
This week marks Holy Week, the week just before Easter. For those of you that are observe Lent, this is the last week of Lent.
Holy Week or Passion Week the final seven days of Jesus’ earthly ministry consist of:
Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday is the day we celebrate the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, one week before His resurrection (Matthew 21:1–11). As Jesus entered the holy city, He neared the culmination of a long journey toward Golgotha. He had come to save the lost (Luke 19:10), and now was the time—this was the place—to secure that salvation. Palm Sunday marked the start of what is often called Holy Week or Passion Week”.
Holy Wednesday (Spy Wednesday)-
on this day Judas made a bargain with the high priest to betray Jesus for 30 silver pieces (Matthew 26:14-16; Mark 14:10-11; Luke 22:1-6).
This is also the day that Jesus was anointed with an expensive jar of alabaster by the woman at Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper (Matthew 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9; John 12:1-19)
Maundy Thursday (Holy Thursday)-
is the name given to the day on which Jesus celebrated the Passover with His disciples, known as the Last Supper. Two important events are the focus of Maundy Thursday.
First, Jesus celebrated the Last Supper with His disciples, also called Communion (Luke 22:19-20). Second, Jesus washed the disciples’ feet as an act of humility and service, thereby setting an example that we should love and serve one another in humility (John 13:3-17).
The word Maundy is derived from the Latin word for “command.” The “Maundy” in “Maundy Thursday” refers to the command Jesus gave to the disciples at the Last Supper, that they should love and serve one another.
Good Friday (Holy Friday)
is the day on which Jesus was crucified. As is it is found in Romans 5:8, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners", Christ died for us, as it is found in 1 Peter 3:18 (ESV), “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit.".
Holy Saturday-
Holy Saturday is the name given to the day between Good Friday and Easter Sunday. It is also he seventh day of Holy Week, as the day on which Jesus “rested” from His work of providing salvation. As Jesus died, He called out, “It is finished!” There was no further price to pay; sin had been atoned for.
After His crucifixion, Jesus was laid in a nearby tomb, and His body remained there the entirety of Holy Saturday (Matthew 27:59-60; Mark 15:46; Luke 23:53-54; John 19:39-42).
The disciples had scattered when Jesus was arrested (Mark 14:50), and they spent the first Holy Saturday hiding for fear of also being arrested (John 20:19). The day between Christ’s crucifixion and His resurrection would have been a time of grief and shock as the stunned disciples tried to understand the murder of Jesus, the betrayal of Judas, and the dashing of their hopes.
How does this relate to putting on the Armor of God?
The battle is not ours, but the Lord’s. The armor, our Lord’s armor, is powerful because of Christ’s death and resurrection. Simply put…
We have hope.
The realization of hope starts with the recognition that the life and death of Jesus Christ changed everything. Just when all seemed lost, something unexpected happened. On the third day after Jesus’ death, hope stepped out from the shadows of Calvary. He was alive, and such good news is where our hope is rooted. No longer do the chains of despair bind us.
Born Again to a Living Hope- 1 Peter 1-9 (ESV) 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
As God’s new creation, we who embrace the gospel enjoy the gift of “Christ in us,” which Colossians 1:27 calls “the hope of glory.” We are not bound by Satan’s schemes, deceptions and attacks (against your passion, focus, identity, family, confidence, calling, purity, rest/contentment, heart and relationships).
To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Colossians 1:27 (ESV)
We have hope that whatever challenge comes our way; God’s grace is sufficient for the occasion (2 Corinthians 12:9).
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
“We have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe” (1 Tim 4:10) because “Jesus Christ [is] our hope”. (1 Tim 1:1)
Prayer
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13 (ESV)
Know that through the Holy Spirit you can:
• do things you couldn't;
• feel things you didn't; and
• know things you wouldn't.
For your praise and worship:
Mighty God- M. Munizzi
Love Said Not So- BeBe & CeCe Winans
Anchor- Hillsong
New Season - M. Munizzi
Housekeeping:
Spread the word and invite someone to Session 3 (March 15- April 2016) as we continue our conversation and study about life in the Holy Spirit. Bring your prayer journal with you!
NEW ONLINE FEATURE FOR SESSION 3---We have an online feature for our next study for those of you that live out of town and want to participate in the study. Just register and purchase the book. Send me an email if you wish to join online.
See you on Tuesday, March 22nd - Week 2 of The Armor of God, Stark County Library Main Campus, INNOVATION CENTER.
Remember, each day is an opportunity for us to...
Lead, Serve, GO!
Krista
Each day we have an opportunity to be the light and salt God has called us to be to others. Matthew 5:13-16 (NIV)