“Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.” John 16:22 NIV
This is Holy Week. On Thursday, we remember Jesus’s last supper with his disciples: The words he said, the sharing of the bread and wine, the washing of their feet, and his last journey to the Garden of Gethsemane, where he prayed for His Father’s will to be done.
On Friday, we remember Jesus’ suffering and death: His appearances before a variety of worldly judges, the crowds who demanded his death, the lashes from Roman soldiers, his wounded body staggering under the weight of the cross he carried to Golgotha, the nails piercing his hands and feet as his body was raised on the cross, his final words as an agonizing death approached.
It is a time of grief, remembering his sacrifice.
And then – Easter Sunday! Rejoice! He is risen! A day to remember his victory over death, his appearance in a garden, in an upper room, on the road to Emmaus, our own salvation by his death and resurrection. Praise God for this wonderful gift of salvation through Jesus Christ.
We invite you to join us in praying for pastors all over the world who will be sharing this message of God’s grace through Jesus Christ. In this week of suffering and joy, may we all experience God’s precious, saving love.