Holy Week Reflections

Thursday

Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching, 
and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, 
for they were afraid of the people. 
Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. 
And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard 
and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. 
They were delighted and agreed to give him money.  
He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present.
                                                                                                                                                                       Luke 22:1-6

Calvary's cross is ever closer.  As  preparations for the Passover meal were being made, Jesus knows the one called Judas will soon betray Him.  Nonetheless the Bible tells us: When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table.  And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. (Luke 22:14-15)  Each moment was an opportunity for Jesus to build into the lives of His followers; lessons about what it means to be a servant, to put the needs of others above those of our own, about humility and trust and surrendering one's self to the will of the Father.

As we move from this day into Good Friday, where we will once again gather to reflect on the cross.  May the words of Jesus speak to us, as we exam our own hearts; may we find in Him a source of strength and courage as we continue to walk by faith.

When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. 
“Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 
“You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 
Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 
I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 
Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, 
nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 
Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them."
                                                                                                                                                                    John 13:12-17

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 
My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so,
would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 
And if I go and prepare a place for you,
I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. "
                                                                                                                                                        John 14:1-3

“If you love me, keep my commands."
                                                                                   John 14:15

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; 
apart from me you can do nothing."
                                                                                                                                                                           John 15:5

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble.
But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
                                                                                                                                                                         John 16:33

"Yet not my will, but Your will, be done."
                                                                                                        Luke 22:42 - The Voice