Holy Week Project – Good Friday – Meditation…Wait with Jesus at the Cross
Holy Week – Good Friday
Sermon Meditation:
Stay & Watch & Wait with Jesus at the Cross…, as
God acknowledges the presence of evil, sin and death
Scripture:
John 13:1
Jesus, having loved us in the world …now showed us the full extent of His love.
John Chapters 18 & 19
Meditation Video:
Click here to view Meditation Video by Pastor Renee Franzen.
You are Invited:
Come Join God & Participate in a Spiritual Discipline
1. Start with Prayer
to what God invites you into. Coming to the cross is an uncomfortable place,
2. Use your Spiritual imagination
Join Jesus and hear him speaking to you. Before the Betrayal of Jesus at Gethsemane, Jesus invited his close friends, including you, to Stay,… Pray,… Watch,… and Wait with him.
“Sit here while I go over there and pray.”
3. Read Scripture account of the true record of witness to Jesus crucifixion and place yourself at the foot of the cross, close to Jesus, your Savior.
Mark 15
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Holy Week Project – Maundy Thurs – “the full extent of His love”
Holy Week
Jesus, …the full extent of His love.
Scripture: John 13:1 (NIV)
Video: “Jesus showed them the full extent of His love.”
Click here to see Video: “It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus…”
Art Sculpture: Sacred Space – The Lord’s Supper
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Holy Week Project – Wednesday- Glorification of Jesus, the Resurrection is the Wisdom of God!
Holy Week
Glorification of Jesus, the Resurrection is the Wisdom of God!
Scripture: John 13:21-32 (NIV)
Reflection:
“Comments on the Glorification of Jesus.”
Scripture: John 13:21-32 (NIV)
John 13:21-32 New International Version (NIV)
21 After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, “Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betray me.”
22 His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant. 23 One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him. 24 Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, “Ask him which one he means.”
25 Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, “Lord, who is it?”
26 Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. 27 As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him.
So Jesus told him, “What you are about to do, do quickly.” 28 But no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him. 29 Since Judas had charge of the money, some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the festival, or to give something to the poor. 30 As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night.
Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial
31 When he was gone, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified and God is glorified in him. 32 If God is glorified in him,a] God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once.
References:
Greek New Testament & Kittel’s Theological Dictionary of the New Testament Vol. 2, pp 232 ff.
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Holy Week Project – Tuesday – What’s Better than Answers to all our Questions?
Holy Week
What’s Better than Answers to all our Questions?
Scripture: John 12:20-36 (NIV)
Jesus Predicts His Death
20 Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.
23 Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 25 Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.
27 “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name!”
Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.
30 Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit, not mine. 31 Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. 32 And I, when I am lifted upa] from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33 He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.
34 The crowd spoke up, “We have heard from the Law that the Messiah will remain forever, so how can you say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this ‘Son of Man’?”
Reflection:
What’s Better than Answers to all our Questions?
I’ve always wanted to know more about these “Greeks.” Were they travelers from Greek-speaking regions of the Roman empire? Maybe they were natives of “Galilee of the Gentiles” – disparaged by the Jerusalem elite as a place with too many foreigners. I’d assume they were “God fearers,” drawn to the God of Israel but not fully compliant with the rigorous demands of the Torah. Did Jesus agree to talk with them, and if so, how did that conversation go?
The text doesn’t answer my questions; rather we are invited into an intimate disclosure of the thoughts and feelings of the Son of Man a few days before the execution he knew was coming. Perhaps this inquiry from “foreigners” serves as a signal for him – “The hour is coming for the son of Man to be glorified.” Did these Greeks stand in for the multitudes from every nation who would hear and believe the good news about Jesus, up to and including us in our time and place?
Jesus expresses his willingness to be the grain of wheat dying so that a great harvest can take place. Yet he shares his troubled emotional state as he contemplates the horror of that painful trial. In tune as always with the Father’s purpose, he asks only that the Father be glorified. The heavenly affirming voice comes, reminding us of what happened at his Jordan River baptism.
And then Jesus announces another dimension of the work of the cross he is undertaking: “Now judgment is upon this world, now the ruler of this world will be cast out.” This is a turnabout; Jesus surely knows he is the one who will be arrested, maligned by false witnesses and convicted, then marched outside the city to suffer the most humiliating and tortuous death devised by humans at that time.
How is it that the “ruler of this world”, AKA the Satan or the accuser, has been cast out? Today as we are challenged by a natural evil of global scope and the continuing power of death, I think we readily agree with the author of Hebrews that “we do not yet see everything subjected to Jesus.” (Hebrews 2:8). I have questions about this too but am helped by the meditations of others.
Not that the world is now wholly rid of the devil and goes on with him being completely removed. The judgment on his kingdom (“This World”) is the judgment on his rule over this kingdom, the decree that throws him out. What remains to him is the hopeless attempt of an already dethroned ruler to maintain himself any kingdom, the very existence of which is blasted forever.[1]
The ruler of this world, the lord of disorder and of disordered humanity in his thrall, passes judgment on the judge of all. The judgment is so monstrously false that only by submitting to it can its falseness be exposed. By Christ submitting to the judgment of the world, the world is judged. [2]
Finally, as we deal with fears and anxieties, and experience disruptions of our plans and the times of gathering together that so bless us, let us hear Jesus’ words of encouragement: “While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so that you may become sons of Light.”
After Good Friday and Easter, we know how the Light triumphs. We know Jesus’ being first lifted up on the cross has demonstrated the heart and purpose of God to reconcile all things to himself. We know that Jesus then being lifted up from the tomb shows the Father’s vindication of his Son and the Triumph of the righteous suffering servant.
We know that, if we are united to Christ through actively putting our whole trust in him, the one who would accuse us has “nothing on us” either. What can we do in these days to live by his grace as children of light and share our hope with others?
Let’s resolve to do as one of our worship songs suggests:
It is a firm foundation
I will put my trust in You alone
And I will not be shaken”[3]
[1] Lenski, R.C.H. The Interpretation of St. John’s Gospel, p. 874
[2] Neuhaus, Richard John, Death on a Friday Afternoon p. 28
[3] Build My Life, Song Lyrics CCLI# 7070345
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Holy Week Project – Monday – Who am I? Mary
Holy Week
Scripture: John 12:1-11 (NIV)
Jesus Anointed at Bethany
4 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5 “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” 6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.
Video: Who am I? (Mary)
Click here see Video: WHO AM I?…Mary
Love to you all,
Meredith
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Living HOPE in Christ, when 2 months ago, becomes a Lifetime ago…
What an uncertain, unexpected and interesting time we are living in. None of us began this 2020 year expecting to be social distancing (6 ft from others) or quarantined in our homes, unable to travel or live life normally. Many people are asking,
“How do we, as Christians, respond during a time like this?”
and
“How do we, as Christians, stand firm in our faith, and not fear when we are told this pandemic (Coronavirus COVID-19) will be spreading in contagion more rapidly in the upcoming weeks…, as we hear of tragic global experiences in other people populations of whom we care about?”
If you are not asking God directly these questions, about what you should do, Why not?
(the Bible says in Proverbs 2:6-8, ”All wisdom comes from the LORD and so do common sense and understanding, God gives helpful advice to everyone…”)
There are three things that we, as Christ-followers, can and are called to commit to doing, (this is what God has brought for me to share with you):
- Proclaim the expectant Living HOPE in Christ (Resurrection day is Coming Soon!)
In all circumstances, we remain committed to pointing others to the hope found only in Jesus. That’s our calling and privilege as believers, and we must make every effort to offer others hope that only He can provide. Our God is able. During this crisis, we have a great opportunity to share the truth of Christ with the world, and surely you must agree and think people are more open to receive Jesus and seek the One True God than ever before.
- Trust Jesus Christ with our worry, fear and anxiety.
This means, yes God knows we as humans do experience fear. But we can hand (cast, 1 Peter 5:7) cast all your cares, fears and anxiety or stress directly up to God, and listen to the Wonderful Counselor.
A verse that comes to mind is Joshua 1:9 where God assures and commands us: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
As followers of Christ, we are called to be His living example in the midst of any worldly storm. We can submit our fears and anxieties to Him, knowing that He will be with us always (Matt. 28:19-20). He is God over this storm, over this pan-de-mic (panic is not of the LORD), over every situation in our lives. How we trust Him in this crisis is a powerful testimony to the world, do not panic, trust God and call or message your family and friends and speak and proclaim the living Hope in Christ our church is feasting on during this LENT and Holy Week – stay Spiritually Connected and Spiritually Strong! Remember God helps us stay Spiritually Strong, we are blessed so that do not need to do this alone.
- Remember our communities
Think of the people in your life that you can encourage during this unprecedented time. Be like Jesus and reach out; take notice of those in desperate need of community just like Jesus stopped for the lame man by the pool and many others to bring real living Hope. Offer them hope, not a weak message but an expectant hope and ask them to pray with you. As God says many times, relationships matter. When we deepen our relationships with God and others, we begin to learn where they need Jesus, and how we can share our faith with them. End your call with a praise or thanks to God, this is what God has the Psalmists teach us (thanks Renee for teaching me the Psalms are tools to pray.)
During this crisis, our ministry at church is praying for your safety, your peace in Christ, your faith and about how to be a resource for you. We’d be honored to pray for you personally, reach out to any of us to bring your prayer requests. Do not be shy, because you are important! Do you know that the truth is, your problems are really not your problems, they are your church’s problems to share! This is how God works and God’s Family functions, when we are One with God, we become one with each other through the amazing interconnecting Holy Spirit. (YES, one of my amazing deep learnings in a walk with God an North Park Theological Seminary and some time in Renee’s office that is really a living room). We at Brookdale Covenant are here to encourage, pray, serve and help in any way we can. YOU ARE NOT ALONE, even though you are in Stay-at-home executive orders. God never gives these kinds of orders, because God is the Waymaker! 😊
We are each uniquely called as the Church of the LORD Jesus Christ to Pray and release our faith into this reality that is affecting lives around the world. You are a leader for others when you pray. YES, YOU ARE A DISCIPLE, and YOUR PRAYERS are more than adequate, they are PERFECT and NEEDED. God loves us and when our hearts join God’s heart for our good even with tears or joy and confidence…God Guides and God releases his powerful ways of creating new and bringing deliverance and healing!
Let’s Bless God by Praising God in Prayer and Praying for others around the WORLD and our dear family and friends.
As a lover of all our crazy fun youth and children, will you please commit to sharing God’s Good News and truth about what Easter really is about (Just Jesus) with our youth and children? And will you please cover them all in prayers! God loves all his children and we are to have child-like faith and child-like joy. Be joyful when you pray, even in suffering we can be filled with the Holy Spirit to exude joy!
Let’s Bless God and ask God to bless us!
May the GOD of HOPE (who loves you and knows you)
fill YOU with ALL JOY & PEACE as YOU TRUST in HIM.
So that YOU MAY OVERFLOW with living HOPE by the POWER of the HOLY SPIRIT. (Romans 15:15)
May we all continue → Fasting on desperation by faith in Christ and
→ Feasting on receiving the living Hope in Christ
Remember Jesus sent you the powerful gift of the Holy Spirit to be present in you at all times! Yes, You are really never alone!
Share the GOOD NEWS, Jesus has already Risen from the dead & He lives so that we live!
Until the whole world hears,
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