Message From The Visiting Pastor's Desk
Marching In Through Lent
As we turn the calendar from February to March we move into the 3rd Sunday of Lent.
By month’s end, March 31st, we will be celebrating the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus.
Without a doubt, Jesus was the most important person who ever lived. His birth, life, work, death,
and resurrection literally changed the course of history. It's the center-point of time and the most important moment in history.
Throughout the month of March we will remember the events leading up to His death and resurrection.
The crowds welcoming Him by waving palm branches in the air and shouting,
"Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!"
Jesus cursing a fig tree because it had failed to bear fruit.
What lesson was Jesus trying to teach us? Was He demonstrating that
genuine faith is more than just outward religiosity, but that true living faith must bear spiritual fruit in our lives.
Jesus overturning the tables of corrupt money changers and clearing the Temple declaring
“My Temple will be a house of prayer, but you have turned it into a den of thieves.”
Raising the question what is the condition of our hearts?
Jesus washing the feet of His disciples.
By this humble act of service He demonstrated by example how believers should love one another.
Washing the feet of someone today could be bringing a meal, writing a note of
encouragement or doing an act of kindness that will change their day and yours!
Jesus praying in agony and sweating drops of blood as he contemplated Judas’ betrayal, the denial of Peter and his impending crucifixion.
Jesus enduring the shame of false accusations, condemnation,
mockery, beatings, abandonment, soldiers spitting on Him, being tormented and mocked,
and being pierced with a crown of thorns.
Jesus spoke seven final statements from the cross. His first words were,
"Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 23:34, NIV)
His last words were, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." (Luke 23:46, NIV)
Those words and all that went before them were spoken for us.
In forgiving us and trusting His Father’s plan for our salvation,
Jesus was setting the stage for the most hopeful moment in human history.
Out of His death would emerge eternal salvation and forgiveness for everyone who would believe in the name of Jesus.
Jesus is alive, and hope is real! Death has been swallowed up in victory! Jesus triumphed over death and the cross!
Jesus made a way for you and me to come to the Father and be saved!
Let us march through the remaining Sundays of Lent worshiping and glorifying God,
“For God so loved you and me that He gave us His Son so that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.”
Godspeed
Pastor Rich