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Taking the time as we approach Easter

  Last week, we focused on Jesus’ example of selfless service as He washed His disciples’ feet in the Upper Room the evening before He would be crucified. "14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set for you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” (John 13 NIV) The servant heart of Jesus was on display once again as our Lord practiced what He preached, “...for the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28 NIV)

  This week, we examine the next episode from the Upper Room. As the Passover Meal concludes Jesus establishes a new covenant with His disciples, and, by extension, us. He takes bread, gives thanks, breaks it, and gives it to His disciples saying, “Take and eat, this is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” Then He takes a cup of wine, gives thanks, and then shares it with the disciples saying, “This is my blood of the covenant which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” In Jesus’ command and promise at the conclusion of the Passover Meal, He institutes what we know and celebrate as the Lord’s Supper.

  Aside from the sacred and special meal that Jesus invites His followers to partake in to remember His sacrifice and provide the spiritual blessing of forgiveness, there two scenes from the Upper Room that I would like you to take special note of as we approach Holy Week and Easter.

  Number one, on the night before He would go to the cross and die for the sins of the world (including yours, including mine), Jesus took the time to have a special meal in which the disciples were encouraged to remember God’s deliverance of the Children of Israel from slavery in Egypt and honored God and His redemptive relationship with His chosen people. With all that was going on in the heart and mind and earthly life of the Son of God and knowing full well what was about to happen to Him and His closest followers, Jesus still took the time to be with His disciples so that they could remember and be blessed!

  Number two, Jesus encouraged His disciples (and by extension us) to continue to take the time to gather around His Word of promise and His sacrament of Holy Communion and remember His sacrifice for us on the cross and receive His forgiveness for our sins by His blood. Despite all that is going on in your heart, mind, and life at this time, Jesus is calling You to take the time to spend time with Him, remember His sacrificial love for you and receive the forgiveness of your sins that Jesus won for you on the cross! 

So, my Frankenmuth friends, how will you take   the time this Lenten season to spend time with our Lord…to reflect on His steadfast love for you…to remember His promises for you��nd receive His forgiveness that He sacrificed for you?  I encourage you to pray; give thanks to the Heavenly Father for the sending of His Son, Jesus, for us; and then make plans to gather with your family and friends on the roadside as Jesus makes His way into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday), in the Upper Room as Jesus institutes the Lord’s Supper (Maundy Thursday), at the foot of His cross (Good Friday), and at the entrance to the empty tomb (Easter Sunday).

  Jesus took the time to be with His disciples and to bless us as His people. He is asking You to take the time to remember Him and share His blessings with each other this season!