Holy Week - Tuesday

This week is a very special week. It is the most important week on the entire Christian calendar and within this week we remember the events that changed our world forever. I always try to do something extra special this week of the year, and this year I have chosen to journey with you through a book by Adam Hamilton. 24 Hours that Changed the World is a great book with only 7 chapters. So Each Day - Yesterday to Easter Sunday - I will review a chapter from the book. I very much recommend that you click the link here and overnight yourself a copy so that you can join in the discussions of each chapter in the comments below.

Chapter 2 - The Garden of Gethsemane

We start off by being reminded that there was quite a walk from the meal to the place of prayer that night.

So for today's devotion, I want to encourage you to find a place outdoors, possibly in a park or even a church prayer garden to reflect on some of the things that Hamilton brings up in this chapter.

The garden is pointed out to be a bit of a parallel in the gospel of John to remind us of another thing that happened in the garden as Adam and Eve choose not to be obedient to God when they ate the fruit of the tree of knowledge. Christ is clearly sad about the things that he knows are going to happen. Through all the events that take place in that 24-hour window this is where he shows the most emotion. He takes the time to be alone, keeping his friends nearby and throws himself on the ground crying out to God even to the point of sweat like blood. I want you to think about the things that we know looking back that he knew looking forward. I want you to think about how he told God what he wanted, but in the end, he submits himself by saying "not my will but your's God." I want you to know that it is okay to cry to God in times of pain or even anger, God surely is big enough to handle you being upset with him. I encourage you also then to move forward from your feelings in obedience to God.

I want you to put yourself in the place of the disciples that fell asleep, trying so hard and knowing that you keep letting him down. (Yet remember he still loved them enough to bear the cross and rise again)

I want you to put yourself in the place of Jesus, knowing that everyone whom you trust will let you down at one point or another yet we should still choose to love and serve them.

Stay for a while in whatever place you have chosen to pray and as you leave that place pray "just as the disciples left you there alone in the hands of your accusers, I too am leaving this place for my own selfishness. Forgive me, and never leave me" Then trust that He will and He Won't! (He will forgive you, he will never leave you)

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Holy Week - Monday

This week is a very special week. It is the most important week on the entire Christian calendar and within this week we remember the events that changed our world forever. I always try to do something extra special this week of the year, and this year I have chosen to journey with you through a book by Adam Hamilton. 24 Hours that Changed the World is a great book with only 7 chapters. So Each Day - Today to Easter Sunday - I will review a chapter from the book. 

Chapter 1 - The Last Supper

When reflecting on the last supper Adam Hamilton does a fantastic job of describing the historical setting, background, and timeline of the events that happened during those hours.

Any time we look at this meal there are questions that we should ask of ourselves and things that we should humbly accept. The first of these things is the controversy of the statement Christ makes "one of you will betray me."  We often want to think that surely it is not I that would betray Christ, just as many of those in the room with him had. The reality is that we can personally identify with the experience of each disciple that night. Some of us are overcome with greed and feel as if continuing to fight for Christ in this time and place is a losing battle so we might as well cash in while we can, and we find ourselves with the blood on our hands from 30 pieces of silver. Some of us are overcome with fear as we see the pain and difficulty associated with admitting a relationship with Jesus, and we find ourselves in the place of Peter denying that we know him. Some of us feel like we try and try and try so hard but we just cannot continue with the discipline and focus it takes to follow Christ and we find ourselves asleep in the Garden. We find ourselves confused and questioning the Power of Christ in our own lives and find ourselves saying nothing and wondering the same as those who pass by the cross mocking Jesus saying if you are the Messiah the just come down from the cross and we will believe. We seem to want just a little more and a little more proof. 

The reality is not just that we can identify with the one who betrayed or the one who denied Jesus, the reality is that everyone in that room left Christ alone. Everyone turned their back. Each of us does the same. May we not continue to hide in shame of what we have done but realize that even after Christ knew what was going to happen, He still shared a meal with his friends. He still washed their feet. He still gave his life to overcome death for them. Even though he knows the deepest darkest parts of your soul, He Still Loves You to Death. 

  

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