Join us at Zion or your local congregation this morning and throughout Holy Week as we remember all that our Lord has done for us.
God's Peace - Pr. J
Showing posts with label Good Friday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Good Friday. Show all posts
Sunday, March 20, 2016
No Easter Without Events Of Holy Week
Join us at Zion or your local congregation this morning and throughout Holy Week as we remember all that our Lord has done for us.
God's Peace - Pr. J
Friday, July 4, 2014
Luke 22:39-46 Wake and Pray
Luke 22:39-46 NIV
I remember a prayer vigil years ago that began following Worship on Maundy Thursday and ended Good Friday at Worship. At least one person was signed up to be in the sanctuary every hour praying. No one signed up for the hours from 3 a.m. to 6 a.m. so I took those hours. I probably didn't last an hour. I woke up a little after 6 a.m., on my knees, leaning against the baptismal font. The first thing I saw when I opened my eyes were Ken and Anita L., on their knees, praying, at the altar rail. They had not disturbed me. When they saw me sleeping, they just walked around me to pray. Now, Jesus, on the other hand had something to say to his disciples about sleeping while they should have been praying. “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.” (vs 46)
What a lesson for me! I could not stay awake for those three hours. Sleep was too great a temptation. Pray that we may not fall into temptation and may God help us sleepers to rise and wake up from the dead. (See Eph 5:14).
God's Peace - Pr. J
I remember a prayer vigil years ago that began following Worship on Maundy Thursday and ended Good Friday at Worship. At least one person was signed up to be in the sanctuary every hour praying. No one signed up for the hours from 3 a.m. to 6 a.m. so I took those hours. I probably didn't last an hour. I woke up a little after 6 a.m., on my knees, leaning against the baptismal font. The first thing I saw when I opened my eyes were Ken and Anita L., on their knees, praying, at the altar rail. They had not disturbed me. When they saw me sleeping, they just walked around me to pray. Now, Jesus, on the other hand had something to say to his disciples about sleeping while they should have been praying. “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.” (vs 46)
What a lesson for me! I could not stay awake for those three hours. Sleep was too great a temptation. Pray that we may not fall into temptation and may God help us sleepers to rise and wake up from the dead. (See Eph 5:14).
God's Peace - Pr. J
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Matthew 26:36-46 - Pray One Hour
Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”
Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matt 26:36-41 NIV)
We were having a prayer vigil. Individuals and families volunteered to come to the sanctuary to pray for one hour during the hours beginning right after the Maundy Thursday Service until the Good Friday Service. I had volunteered for three hours, from 3 a.m. until 6 a.m., as I lived right next door and I thought it would be easier for me than others who would have to drive to the church at such early hours. I began my hours praying, kneeling in front of the altar, next to the baptismal font. I was awakened by the couple, who was to follow me, to find them kneeling and praying at the altar. They had come in quietly and didn't want to disturb me. I had fallen asleep, on my knees, leaning against the baptismal font. Every Maundy Thursday, I recall this time. Apparently, it is not only those first disciples who cannot keep watch, stay awake, and pray for "one hour."
The spirit is willing, but so often the flesh is weak.
God's Peace - Pr. J
Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matt 26:36-41 NIV)
We were having a prayer vigil. Individuals and families volunteered to come to the sanctuary to pray for one hour during the hours beginning right after the Maundy Thursday Service until the Good Friday Service. I had volunteered for three hours, from 3 a.m. until 6 a.m., as I lived right next door and I thought it would be easier for me than others who would have to drive to the church at such early hours. I began my hours praying, kneeling in front of the altar, next to the baptismal font. I was awakened by the couple, who was to follow me, to find them kneeling and praying at the altar. They had come in quietly and didn't want to disturb me. I had fallen asleep, on my knees, leaning against the baptismal font. Every Maundy Thursday, I recall this time. Apparently, it is not only those first disciples who cannot keep watch, stay awake, and pray for "one hour."
The spirit is willing, but so often the flesh is weak.
God's Peace - Pr. J
Monday, June 24, 2013
Isaiah 53 - Jesus Died For The Sheep Who Had Gone Astray
We typically hear the reading of Isaiah 53 every year during Lent, on Good Friday, along with verses beginning at verse 13 of the 52nd chapter of Isaiah.
It is a reminder of why Jesus had to die. That is, for us, because of our own sinful ways... "We all, like sheep, have Gone astray, each of us has turn to our own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all." (Isa 53:6 NIV)
Jesus took upon himself our pain and he bore our sufferings. He was crucified for our transgression and for our iniquities. It is by his wounds that we are healed. It is by his sacrifice for us that we are made whole!
We may hear this lesson on Good Friday, but I am reminded of it often. For, I, like all of you, often act like a sheep that has gone astray. Whenever I mess up big time (that is sin), God's gentle Spirit reminds me why Jesus had to suffer persecution and such a cruel death. He died bearing our sins, those sins we commit today and will commit tomorrow. Through faith in him, our sins (of even today and tomorrow) were crucified with him.
May God help us to more faithful to the one who was and is faithful to us.
God's Peace - Pr. J
P.S. Don't forget to read Isaiah 53 - you will recognize it immediately if you've ever attended at Good Friday Service at Zion or most congregations anywhere.
It is a reminder of why Jesus had to die. That is, for us, because of our own sinful ways... "We all, like sheep, have Gone astray, each of us has turn to our own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all." (Isa 53:6 NIV)
Jesus took upon himself our pain and he bore our sufferings. He was crucified for our transgression and for our iniquities. It is by his wounds that we are healed. It is by his sacrifice for us that we are made whole!
We may hear this lesson on Good Friday, but I am reminded of it often. For, I, like all of you, often act like a sheep that has gone astray. Whenever I mess up big time (that is sin), God's gentle Spirit reminds me why Jesus had to suffer persecution and such a cruel death. He died bearing our sins, those sins we commit today and will commit tomorrow. Through faith in him, our sins (of even today and tomorrow) were crucified with him.
May God help us to more faithful to the one who was and is faithful to us.
God's Peace - Pr. J
P.S. Don't forget to read Isaiah 53 - you will recognize it immediately if you've ever attended at Good Friday Service at Zion or most congregations anywhere.
Friday, March 29, 2013
Proverbs 17 - Remembering and Fasting
"Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife." (Prov 17:1 NIV)
Lots of words of wisdom that, if followed, will help us to have peaceful, pleasant lives. Since, it is Holy Week and today is Good Friday, a day of fasting and mourning, I want to reflect a bit on the partying that Christians participate in on holydays. That was not a typo. I intended it. Holidays in many parts of the world are a time for partying, for feasting and not for reflecting what our LORD has done for us throughout the ages.
When I grew up, holydays, like Christmas and Easter were filled with a lot of alcohol and not just in my family, but a good majority of the community celebrated with feasting which ended up in strife. From observation, I have seen that this practice has not diminished.
Yesterday, was Maundy Thursday. We remembered the Passover. We remembered how the LORD delivered Israel. We remembered how the LORD was betrayed and in His last hours gave to His followers the Sacrament of Holy Communion - His Body and Blood. This morning, we remember that Peter, as he sat in the darkness around a fire, denied Him to save His own skin. Today, we remember that Jesus gave His life for us so that we might live abundantly in His presence, eternally. Tomorrow, is the Vigil of Easter, when once again, we remember how God has delivered His people, as we await the celebration of His resurrection. That is something to be celebrated! Thursday night, Friday night, Saturday night, are not times for feasting that may well end up in strife. It is a time for celebration as we remember and give thanks to God for all that He has done.
Today and tomorrow, would be well spent, quietly remembering and fasting, with service to God and neighbor. It would be a misuse of the holy days to be indulging and feasting. You might be able to block out the fact that Jesus died for us because we are miserable sinners with alcohol and drugs, but it doesn't change the facts. He died for you. He died for me. He had to. We cannot save ourselves. Jesus' life was given that we might live. Today we honor and give thanks to the one who would give us such a life giving gift.
"Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife."
God's Peace - Pr. J
Lots of words of wisdom that, if followed, will help us to have peaceful, pleasant lives. Since, it is Holy Week and today is Good Friday, a day of fasting and mourning, I want to reflect a bit on the partying that Christians participate in on holydays. That was not a typo. I intended it. Holidays in many parts of the world are a time for partying, for feasting and not for reflecting what our LORD has done for us throughout the ages.
When I grew up, holydays, like Christmas and Easter were filled with a lot of alcohol and not just in my family, but a good majority of the community celebrated with feasting which ended up in strife. From observation, I have seen that this practice has not diminished.
Yesterday, was Maundy Thursday. We remembered the Passover. We remembered how the LORD delivered Israel. We remembered how the LORD was betrayed and in His last hours gave to His followers the Sacrament of Holy Communion - His Body and Blood. This morning, we remember that Peter, as he sat in the darkness around a fire, denied Him to save His own skin. Today, we remember that Jesus gave His life for us so that we might live abundantly in His presence, eternally. Tomorrow, is the Vigil of Easter, when once again, we remember how God has delivered His people, as we await the celebration of His resurrection. That is something to be celebrated! Thursday night, Friday night, Saturday night, are not times for feasting that may well end up in strife. It is a time for celebration as we remember and give thanks to God for all that He has done.
Today and tomorrow, would be well spent, quietly remembering and fasting, with service to God and neighbor. It would be a misuse of the holy days to be indulging and feasting. You might be able to block out the fact that Jesus died for us because we are miserable sinners with alcohol and drugs, but it doesn't change the facts. He died for you. He died for me. He had to. We cannot save ourselves. Jesus' life was given that we might live. Today we honor and give thanks to the one who would give us such a life giving gift.
"Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife."
God's Peace - Pr. J
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Psalm 22 - Why Have You Forsaken Me?
"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (vs 1 NIV)
If you've got plans to skip reading this chapter, please, don't! This Psalm is so filled with passion it is indescribable. At Zion, this Psalm is read every Maundy Thursday during the stripping of the altar. A haunting echo, the passion of Jesus' resolve to give his life for ours is heard in the lament. Yes, resolve, but at the same time the sorrowful loneliness, as Jesus prepares, in his final hours, to give his life for the us, to die for the world.
And, if you're one to skip the Maundy Thursday Service simply because you'll be there on Easter Sunday, don't! There is no Easter without the suffering and sacrifice of Christ on the cross. So, please don't be skipping the next Maundy Thursday Service, or Ash Wednesday, or Good Friday. There is no Easter without the suffering and death of Jesus. There is no life, without his death.
There is no way to fully explain this chapter in a little blog. Read it and read it aloud. Listen to the words. Listen to the pain and the suffering. Listen to the hope.
"May your hearts live forever." (vs 26)
God's Peace - Pr. J
If you've got plans to skip reading this chapter, please, don't! This Psalm is so filled with passion it is indescribable. At Zion, this Psalm is read every Maundy Thursday during the stripping of the altar. A haunting echo, the passion of Jesus' resolve to give his life for ours is heard in the lament. Yes, resolve, but at the same time the sorrowful loneliness, as Jesus prepares, in his final hours, to give his life for the us, to die for the world.
And, if you're one to skip the Maundy Thursday Service simply because you'll be there on Easter Sunday, don't! There is no Easter without the suffering and sacrifice of Christ on the cross. So, please don't be skipping the next Maundy Thursday Service, or Ash Wednesday, or Good Friday. There is no Easter without the suffering and death of Jesus. There is no life, without his death.
There is no way to fully explain this chapter in a little blog. Read it and read it aloud. Listen to the words. Listen to the pain and the suffering. Listen to the hope.
"May your hearts live forever." (vs 26)
God's Peace - Pr. J
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