Walk with Jesus – His Last Week on Earth – February 19 to April 9
Adult Sunday Morning Study at 9:15am. During Lent this year we will reconstruct the final days of our Lord among us. Eight Gospel studies will enable us to relive with him each day, from the triumphal entry to the empty tomb. En route, we’ll witness the last meal with his disciples, his trial, his suffering and crucifixion, and his resurrection. The Gospel narratives are brisk through his three year ministry but all four eye witnesses “slowed the camera down” during Holy Week to show how intentional his passion was. He knew he was going to be persecuted – smitten, stricken and afflicted – yet he walked the path to cross with confident faith and consummate love. This chronology of his last week on earth will remind us why “believing you may have life in his name.” (John 20:31)
THINKING AHEAD FOR LENT – By Rejection (Matthew 23:37)
Jesus came from humble beginnings, of low social status. In those days the Jewish people were like the world today in that they had an upper class of the rich and educated. Similarly, the religious leaders were financially well off (perhaps through corruption?) and highly educated. They had taken on a “haughty air” about them in the fashion of their Roman conquerors. One reason was because they along with their kings were just puppets who co-operated with their overlords, for their own advancement. That’s why this humble carpenter was not well received by the scribes and Pharisees when he began to teach the gospel of peace, reverently and humbly, but with authority even casting out demons and healing the sick. He was too much for them, but just right for us. (more…)
