This week is significant for us as followers of Jesus. We set aside time to reflect on the life, death, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. From Palm Sunday, where Jesus is presented as King, to Friday, when Jesus is the Lamb who was slain, to Sunday morning, where Jesus is vindicated and raised as Lord and Christ, Jesus made a journey for us. Through Jesus, God offers forgiveness of sins, breaks the power of hell, invites us into relationship, gives us eternal life, adopts us into his family, transforms us by his power working in our lives, and invites us to partner with God on his mission. And, that is just a taste of what we experience in God because of Jesus.
Yes, Easter is a celebration. And, Easter is a time for reflection, gratitude, surrender, and worship.
May each of us carve out time for the Lord Jesus this week.
Here are some suggestions:
First: Consider celebrating the Lord’ Supper on Thursday evening.
On Thursday evening of Passion Week, I invite you do something special. Spend time with the Lord as an individual or as a family around the Lord’s table.
- First, I invite you to go your own pantry and get some bread and juice. You can use whatever you have. It doesn’t need to be a certain type of bread or cracker in order to be holy. It is all about God’s love shown through the cross of Jesus that makes it sacred.
- Next, pray and ask the Lord to help you meet him at his table. Pray and sanctify the bread and the juice and your time with the Lord and each other.
- Read one or more of the Scripture passages detailing the meal Jesus shared with his disciples (Matthew 26:14-30; Mark 14:12-26; Luke 22:1-39; John 13:1-38).
Celebrate the Lord’s Supper.
For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes (1 Corinthians 11:23–26).
- The Lord’s Supper is an opportunity to express gratitude to the Lord.
- The Lord’s Supper is an opportunity to meet the Lord at his table.
- In the Scripture, we read about the Passover Meal which the Lord Jesus shared with his disciples. Jesus reinterprets it and gives us the Lord’s Supper. We encounter Jesus at his Communion Table to remember all that he has done for us, all that he is doing, and all that he will do.
- By celebrating the Lord’s Supper, (1) we remember the Lord Jesus and his sacrifice, (2) we proclaim his gospel, and (3) we prophesy his return (1 Corinthians 11:23-26).
Second, consider participating in the Stations of the Cross in the Prayer Garden.
- The Stations of the Cross are set up in the Prayer Garden at Calvary.
- We invite you to come any time to walk, meditate, and pray.
- Here is an online prayer guide for you to use and to help you in this journey.
Third, join us on Sunday as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. You can do this in-person or online.
- There is a free continental breakfast at 9:00am.
- The worship service starts at 10:00am.
- The egg hunt comes immediately after the worship service.
Finally, consider inviting someone to join you for the in-person service or to join you as you meet with us online.
I am so grateful that the Lord is giving us opportunities to partner with him and to connect with him in this Easter season. I am grateful for your life and for what the Lord is doing in you and me. And, I am grateful that God is still at work in our lives, our communities, and our world, and that we are get to be a part his glorious kingdom.
Happy Easter,
Pastor Jeff
