Holy Week Devotion

The road from Jericho to Jerusalem is a treacherous road (bandits, robbers, twists and turns) that ascends about 3300 feet in elevation over a roughly 17 mile hike. It can take most of a day to walk/hike this road. This is how Jesus and the disciples traveled to Jerusalem for the Triumphal entry of Palm Sunday.
 
In Matthew 20, verse 17, as Jesus and disciples traveled to Jerusalem, he said something really important to his disciples. Jesus said, “See we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.”
 
This was the third time that Jesus had told his disciples that He would be crucified and be raised again (Matthew 16:21, Matthew 17:22-23). There are people who believe that the cross of Christ was just a last ditch effort to salvage a dying mission, but Jesus’ words leave no doubt that He had come to this world for this moment.
 
Jesus knew what was coming: The Cross. Jesus did not run away from Jerusalem to escape his imminent death. Jesus knew as the book of Revelation states (Rev. 13:8), that he was the “lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” Jesus knew that his upcoming death at the hands of the Romans was his Father’s plan before time began.
 
Jesus faced the cross…on purpose, without hesitation, without faltering. The journey to the cross had begun long before Jericho. Jesus faced Jerusalem with the power and promise of God. Jesus knew that he was carrying out the Father’s divine plan. Jesus knew that death would not hold him in the grave.
 
Jesus knew “full well” what was before him in Jerusalem, yet He boldly kept marching toward his destiny, fueled by the Promise of God and empowered by the Spirit of God. What is it that God is prompting you to do? What is it that you are marching toward today? Let us take a lesson from our Master---Press ahead in confidence, as we claim God’s promises in His Word, and rest in God’s Power and Presence to accomplish His Kingdom task.
 
We are hosting our Village Holy Week services at First Baptist Ruidoso (Wed., Thurs. and Friday at Noon). Also remember Sunday Easter Worship at 10:45 am (online and in person). Let’s celebrate the Risen Christ together!              
 Pastor Todd

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