Weekly Encouragement
Good Wednesday Everyone,
Happy Easter!! Blessings from your pastor. The last two weeks have been full, and I have missed our Wednesday encouragements. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to push “Pause” on the days we have so much to do, then press “Play” once we are caught up. Wednesday is one of my most favorite days of the week and I need a “Pause” button sometimes. Each week I never know what God will place into my heart, and I pray His message comes as a blessing for all.
As we are well into our weekly activities, the world seems to be “Paused” for a moment in this special week. This is not another week of fifty-two on our calendar. This is not a week we recognize a national holiday, not a religious philosophy, nor a global achievement. This is a significant week for not only Christians to celebrate, but for the rest of the religions to mock and scoff. What happened this week becomes the core of our faith and the core of theirs. Prayerfully, our core will get stronger, and theirs will weaken. Christians believe this week happened just a Scripture described; other religions teach nothing happened at all.
Christianity is in the middle of Passion Week. Our Scriptures describe so much that has occurred already, and so much more is to come. But on the Wednesday of Passion Week very little is recorded in Scripture. This leads us to consider what was happening. What was Jesus thinking? What were the disciples expecting? What was the opposition planning against Jesus? No matter which side you were on, everyone was excited. The festivities had already started throughout Jerusalem, and it was surely stirring everyone’s excitement.
Jesus’ disciples were excited. At the first of the week, the disciples witnessed Jesus, whom they believed was the Saviour of the world, finally being recognized for all He is. The centuries anticipated Messiah. And they shared in His ministry. His teachings. His miracles. The Messiah knew them, and He loved them. Then this week, likely with the echoes of “Hosanna to the son of David” still ringing in their ears, their Messiah cleansed the Temple. The disciples saw their Messiah recognized properly and they saw Him respond powerfully in righteous anger. Imagine the expectations and the joy the disciples must have felt. Finally!! What they waited for was happening.
Jesus’ opposition was excited. They have turned one of Jesus’ closes disciples against Him, and what was more they paid Judas to betray Jesus. They planned the best time and the most advantageous time to arrest, convict, and murder Jesus. They anticipated their plan materializing during Passover so all eyes could turn away from Jesus and back to them for the celebration of their ancient traditions. Then the ministry and the followers of Jesus would fade away and return to their religious ways. Finally!! What they waited for was happening.
But…Oh how the week changed. It changed forever for everybody. Their Messiah finally recognized, finally acting with righteous authority, was preparing them for the NEW Passover lamb. Their problem, their liar, their conscience, he would finally be dealt with according to what he deserved, and they were preparing the people for the OLD Passover lamb. The calm of the Wednesday of Passion Week was a day of anticipating, a day of preparing, a day of waiting. Everything both groups were doing was either for or against the Messiah. Can you imagine a week with such a diverse mentality between peoples? No matter what side you choose – Jesus Christ died!!
These two groups of people still exist today. Both groups got exactly what they wanted, but they received it in a radically different way. The disciples received the NEW Passover lamb, and the opposition maintained the OLD Passover lamb. The difference is what you believe happened three days later. Everything we need to know about Jesus has been recorded and told to us. Everything about Jesus, His teachings, His miracles, His power, and His resurrection have been told. It now comes down to faith. What do YOU choose to believe? To whom do you belong?
This week, in the calm of Easter, amidst the peace of Passion Week, pray for God to place someone on your heart to reach. They know you, so tell them about this week. They trust you, so tell them about Easter morning. They love you, so tell them about Bethel Baptist. This week is the “proper time” for all to come to God’s house. God’s blessings are here. God’s truth is here. God’s salvation is here. All these things are only found in the LIFE of Jesus Christ. Bethel Baptist, people really and truly, “Want what you have they just don’t know it yet!!”
In Christ Jesus,
Pastor Michael
