March 31st
JESUS’ FINAL WEEK
The Holy Week - from Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem to his triumphal exit from the tomb – magnifies His grace. Some in Israel came to put faith in Jesus (John 19:35-40). But has he made a triumphal entry into your life?
“He will pour out spirit.” He initiates an outpouring of grace upon us individually producing sorrow that will result in repentant prayer to God for forgiveness. We cannot make it happen.
“Look on the one they pierced.” The Spirit opens our eyes to see Jesus pierced in a way that pierces our own heart. The “passion” is no longer a mere narrative or teaching, but Jesus who stood on the nail for you, as your death substitute (John 3:14-15; Rev 1:7).
“They will mourn.” Imagine the profound grief if you saw your own firstborn son dying in agony, in this case enduring a six-hour execution. The horrific scene would stay with you for the rest of your life. At the cross my personal sins pierced Christ, but the blood which flowed from his wounds forms a cleansing fountain that washes them all away (Zech 13:1). So, we see the drive of grace leading a person to prayerful mournful repentance in relation to Jesus’ death.
“By itself“ (Zech 12:11-14). This is individual belief and grief. All levels of society from rulers (David) to prophets (Nathan) to priests (Levites) to opposers (Shimei) along with their wives are individually affected. Point people to Christ crucified, praying that God will pour out His Spirit of grace upon them.
JESUS’ FINAL WEEK
Passionate about the Passion
Passionate about the Passion
I will pour out a spirit of compassion and supplication on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that, when they look on the one whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn.
Zechariah 12:10, New Revised Standard Version
Zechariah 12:10, New Revised Standard Version
The Holy Week - from Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem to his triumphal exit from the tomb – magnifies His grace. Some in Israel came to put faith in Jesus (John 19:35-40). But has he made a triumphal entry into your life?
“He will pour out spirit.” He initiates an outpouring of grace upon us individually producing sorrow that will result in repentant prayer to God for forgiveness. We cannot make it happen.
“Look on the one they pierced.” The Spirit opens our eyes to see Jesus pierced in a way that pierces our own heart. The “passion” is no longer a mere narrative or teaching, but Jesus who stood on the nail for you, as your death substitute (John 3:14-15; Rev 1:7).
“They will mourn.” Imagine the profound grief if you saw your own firstborn son dying in agony, in this case enduring a six-hour execution. The horrific scene would stay with you for the rest of your life. At the cross my personal sins pierced Christ, but the blood which flowed from his wounds forms a cleansing fountain that washes them all away (Zech 13:1). So, we see the drive of grace leading a person to prayerful mournful repentance in relation to Jesus’ death.
“By itself“ (Zech 12:11-14). This is individual belief and grief. All levels of society from rulers (David) to prophets (Nathan) to priests (Levites) to opposers (Shimei) along with their wives are individually affected. Point people to Christ crucified, praying that God will pour out His Spirit of grace upon them.
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Read Isaiah 9:6; 53:4-6 replacing the plurals “we”, us”, “our“ with your name.
Read Isaiah 9:6; 53:4-6 replacing the plurals “we”, us”, “our“ with your name.