Pastor Mark's Weekly Blog, Uncategorized

2024 Palm Sunday: Anointed and Crowned King (of what?)

Message
Palm Sunday: Anointed and Crowned King (of what?)
John 12:1-50

This week is Palm Sunday, beginning a roller coaster ride for Jesus and the disciples – bewildering, tragic, and wonderful, all in just seven days.  We begin our journey in John chapter 12.  Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus washes Jesus’ feet with an extravagant, expensive, pure nard mingled with tears. This is an important beginning to this passionate week.  Mary’s emotion of devotion and love for Jesus, having raised her brother Lazarus from the dead, is flowing like a mighty river.  Are her tears of joy or of sorrow?  Jesus has been saying with regularity now that he will be leaving them soon.  That he must die and rise 3 days later.  

The people witnessing this display of love are filled with mixed emotion as well.  Some condemn it, including Judas, Jesus’ own disciple.  Prominent leaders of the Jewish ruling class are disgusted by it, and deeply offended, further their plot to arrest and kill Jesus.   Others, join in a soon to be procession of Jesus into Jerusalem – an entry worthy of a King.  So much joy and sorrow mingled together.
 
During this passion week, Jesus fulfills his mission, faithful to the end, becoming the Savior of the World, our Savior. I cannot imagine what was going on for the disciples throughout the events of this week.  I for sure cannot imagine what Jesus went through during the events of this week.  But one thing I know and believe, my Savior died, and rose again, that I might have life.  

After all, John witnessed and recorded all of this for this reason, “That we may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing, we may have life.” (20:31)

See you Sunday, 
   Pastor Mark 

Pastor Mark's Weekly Blog, Uncategorized

7 Stations of the Cross, Passion Week

Leave a comment

Blog banner with the image of a highway and the word: "Journey" for the study of the Book of Matthew.
Passion Week (Passion/Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter) has arrived.  Every year, I have this experience of the Lenten Season: All of a sudden its Easter and there is some shame about not having spent the time preparing my heart for the rich spiritual blessings of this season.  The Lent season is abbreviated because of my busyness and filling my time with all kinds of ‘good’ and seemingly ‘necessary’ things, yet, I didn’t invest enough time in the preparation of my heart for Passion Week.

This week, there is an opportunity for us to spend a half hour to come to Crestview Sanctuary and go through the 7 Stations of the Cross.  Space has been prepared for you to come and spend time in preparation of your heart for Good Friday and Easter celebrations.  Only one thing remains, for you to take advantage of the opportunity, carve out a half hour this week between the hours of 7am to 7pm to visit the sanctuary and the Stations of the Cross.

Passion Week Spiritual Growth Opportunities:

  • Stations of the Cross: Daily this week, in Crestview Sanctuary from 7am to 7pm.  Self led and self guided stations for prayer, reflection, and meditation on the Stations of the Cross.  Enter through the West entrance door to the sanctuary.  Instructions on table in center isle for beginning.  You will be guided through 7 Stations: The Last Supper, In The Garden, Before Pilate, Crown of Thorns, Taking Up the Cross, Death of Jesus, and His Burial.  Each station will have a Scripture to read, a reflection for meditation, and an experience to engage in.  See you at the cross.
  • Good Friday Worship – 5:30pm.  Join us for Good Friday worship at Crestview Church at 5:30pm as we join All Souls Church for Good Friday worship service. 
  • Sunday Easter Worship 9:30am, followed by Brunch and Easter Egg Hunt.  Our worship service will be a celebration of Jesus resurrection and what that all means for life.  We will celebrate in a variety of ways!

Peace in and through Jesus our Lord,

Pastor Mark