FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK
A weekly look back and look forward from Pastor Wayne
Looking Back: This past Sunday we began our Holy Week series – “Why Jerusalem?” with Part 1 – Weeping over the City from Luke 19:28-44.
The reason Jesus wept over Jerusalem on Palm Sunday was simply because He longed Jerusalem would know “the things that make for peace.” Do you remember I asked: “what are the things that make for peace?” The answer of course is the “prince of peace – Jesus Himself!” The crowd on Palm Sunday were content to worship and praise God from a distance, but they did not enter intimacy with Jesus. Mark 3:14 records Jesus’ desire for His apostles and indeed for us, “that [we] might be with him.” To help us understand the intimacy Jesus longs we enjoy with Him, the story of the paralytic in Luke 5. It was not enough for the man to wait outside; his buddies had to lower down through the roof so he would be right in front of Jesus. That’s the place, posture, and position Jesus longs for us.
Looking Ahead:
I trust you will be able to be with us tomorrow night for our Maundy Thursday service at 7 pm. The message in our “Why Jerusalem?” series is titled “Witnessing to the City.” We will also celebrate the Lord’s Supper. Sunday is Resurrection Day! Be sure to invite a friend as we “welcome Jesus back to the City.” We will follow the Resurrection account from Matthew 28:1-10 with a reminder that the women found the tomb empty! When they encountered the Risen Lord, what was their response? They clasped His feet (no doubt to assure themselves that He was truly the same Jesus they followed for 18 – 24 months) and they worshiped Him. A good reminder, a challenge, and an invitation to take hold of Jesus and worship Him. Don’t forget we have breakfast at 8.30 and a season of singing the hymns of Easter at 9.30, and the Resurrection Service at 10.30.
Looking Beyond: On Sunday April 12 we will continue our special series of messages from the book of Hebrews. Under the theme of “Satisfaction with the Savior” our focus from Hebrews 4:1-7 “Enter Jesus Rest.”