Holy Week 2012

Holy week marks the end of Lent season and beginning of the final days before the suffering and resurrection of our Lord Jesus.  This is a favorite time of the year for those of us who understand that the cross and empty tomb symbolize the core of our faith.  The resurrection is the epicenter of our strength for today and hope for the future.

1 Corinthians 15:12-17

12 But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 15 More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.

We are playing games and wasting our time if Christ was not raised from the dead on the third day.  But because He got up out of the grave we are alive in Christ and filled with expectation of good.  While the road to resurrection is littered with obstacles and pain, the end of all sorrow is overcome by resurrection - VICTORY!

On Palm Sunday (April 1) will follow Jesus as He makes the triumphal entry into Jerusalem for the last time before His death.  The shouts of "Hosanna" (which means SAVE) would be a prophetic cry for help from the one who would soon bring salvation.

On Maundy Thursday (April 5) you won't want to miss the love feast of food, communion and feet washing that help us commemorate the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with His Apostles.  His command to love one another will drive the evening and challenge us commit to love as a consistent lifestyle.  If you have never participated in a Maundy Thursday worship experience, 2012 is a perfect opportunity.  Things get kicked off at 6:30pm in the WIN Center.

On Good Friday (April 6) we pause to reflect on our suffering Savior.  The last seven words of Christ from the cross paint of graphic picture of grace under pressure.  As we thank God for the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and His death at Calvary, we do so in full awareness that He was resurrected on Sunday morning.  The fact of Jesus being raised from the dead gives the Believer confidence that dead things/circumstances that God wants to live CAN BE MADE ALIVE!!!

Hallelujah - What a Savior.  We are ONE in our risen Lord.

WIN!

Robbie