I wonder how many people in Jerusalem realized how special the approaching high Sabbath would be 2000 years ago? The pivot point of all human history was days away and I suspect no one aside from Jesus really grasped the import of the times.
Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea come to mind as two persons that may have had an inkling, but I am certain they didn’t quite comprehend the plan God had in mind. The hustle and bustle of the ceremonial season would have been a bit of a distraction to them or to any religious leader trying to discern the course of the itinerant preacher named Jesus.
The political intrigue of the religious leaders and the secular authorities would have kept the insiders guessing. The young and zealous desiring freedom from Rome were a constant threat for bringing down the heavy heel of the Roman legions. The Roman and Jewish leaders sought to walk a fine line between some autonomy for the people to continue their religious practices and the rule of Rome. People were pawns to them and the game they played would have kept them clueless to the miracle of miracles that was drawing nigh.
It would seem the most likely to have some insight into what was about to unfold would have been the common folk who traveled with Jesus. Jesus had told them on a number of occasions that He had to go to Jerusalem to die. But they too were not able to put the pieces together in this week of preparation. Some perceived Him to be the Messiah sent from God, but dying???
Even today, we risk overlooking the importance of what God is doing… here, now. We have the benefit of 2000 years of history pointing to the validity of God’s marvelous plan. We have written records that clearly demonstrate God moving, saving, recreating, releasing, and empowering the Church… common folk and noble alike. All who turn to Him can be saved and given new life. Jesus is alive and at work RIGHT NOW.
But we so easily miss the best because of all the rest. Political intrigue… yep it’s still here and many are distracted by it. Religious ceremony… check, we will have our “bells and smells” and Easter egg hunts, our new Easter clothes and church’s filled with CEOs. (CEO = Christmas and Easter Only). Sadly, even Jesus-followers sometimes struggle with perceiving how special this time is because of work or vacation (can anyone say “spring break”), or the pressures of life… each of which demand our attention.
Do you sense the importance of what Jesus did this week 2000 years ago? Do you sense the importance of what He is doing right now? It is not my intent to beat you up from afar, but I do want you to consider what Jesus did and He is doing. I encourage you to set aside time to just meet with Jesus this Holy Week and ask Him to help you see it with new eyes. We are easily distracted, but this most special time is worth the effort to anticipate and experience with wonder. God gave us the most precious gift in His Son, Jesus. Jesus offers us salvation (and so much more) through the gift of His life. He took our sin and exchanged it for His righteousness on the cross. In this final week before He submitted Himself to the most excruciating of deaths, Jesus poured out such amazing wisdom. Check out the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ last week. Matthew 21 and following, Mark 11 and following, Luke 19:28 and following, and John 12:12 and following.
I have found that my blessing in Easter grows immeasurably when I allow Jesus to help me in Holy Week to see how special it really is. My prayer is that you too will experience Jesus in a new a fresh way this Holy Week and into Easter.
Blessings upon you today my friend.
areliablefaith 