West Park Baptist Church

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Holy week

Following Jesus Through Holy Week – Saturday

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“How can we follow Jesus when He lies dead in a tomb?” must have gone through the minds of the disciples after Good Friday.

Recorded events are few and far between of that Saturday, the Sabbath in between Christ’s death and resurrection. What is recorded reveals things about the people still living and challenges us today.

Here is the record of what happened on Saturday:

  • A group of women disciples prepare spices and ointments for the body of Jesus (Luke 23:54-56)
  • The Chief Priests and Pharisees plot to guard the tomb of Jesus (Matt. 27:62-66)

Luke 23:54–56

[54] It was the day of Preparation, and the Sabbath was beginning. [55] The women who had come with him from Galilee followed and saw the tomb and how his body was laid. [56] Then they returned and prepared spices and ointments.

On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment. (ESV)

Matthew 27:62–66

[62] The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate [63] and said, “Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise.’ [64] Therefore order the tomb to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go and steal him away and tell the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last fraud will be worse than the first.” [65] Pilate said to them, “You have a guard of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can.” [66] So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard. (ESV)

What can we learn from these texts?

So many people in Jerusalem were affected by the death of Jesus. As Saturday dawned they were still shaken by all that He had endured. Basically, two groups of people emerge on that Saturday, just like two groups still emerge today:

The Enemies of Christ – Matthew alone records a secret meeting that occurred between the religious Pharisees and Pilate, the Roman ruler who tried Jesus as guiltless yet sent Him to the cross. The Pharisees feared not that Jesus would rise from the dead but that His disciples would steal His body from the tomb it had been placed in and so fool everyone that Jesus was alive. In their view, Jesus was only a fraud, and they would not permit more fraud in the wake of His death. Pilate told them to take their own Temple guards and set them up at the tomb. They sealed the stone around Jesus’s tomb, established guards to watch and then wiped their hands of the whole affair.

The Followers of Christ – Just as Jesus had predicted, the Shepherd was struck down dead and the sheep scattered. Yet two scenes reveal disciples who had remained in the background due to various reasons yet now seem emboldened with courage and faith.

  • Joseph of Arimathea was said to be a follower of Jesus, but a “secret” disciple for fear of what the Pharisees would think (John 19:38). His life up to this point has been ruled by a mixture of fear of man and faith in Jesus. He’s been a slave to allure of image and the approval of people. Nicodemus, who accompanied Joseph, is no better. This is perhaps why he had waited until the cloak of night to approach Jesus initially (John 3). Yet in a surprising move, Joseph and Nicodemus go into the court of Pilate to request the body of Jesus, remove the body from the cross, cover and fill the body with 75 pounds of ointment then place the body into a new tomb in a beautiful garden.
  • The women, identified as Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of James and Joses, followed Joseph and Nicodemus to see where the tomb was located, then went home to prepare more ointment and burial spices for the body. The gospel records them as resting on the Sabbath yet ready to go to the tomb early Sunday morning to anoint the body of Jesus.

Application: 

  • The cross of Jesus is the crossroads of life. You cannot view the selfless sacrifice of Jesus and walk away the same. Either you will be hardened in your heart, not wanting the public image of what your sin has done, or you will be broken, not wanting to continue as a slave to your sin and seeing in Jesus your only hope.
  • There is power in the cross to transform fearful disciples into bold followers. Joseph and Nicodemus loved the approval of men, but Christ’s sacrifice showed them the emptiness of their lives. Ultimately by seeing what Jesus had done, Joseph and Nicodemus were emboldened to do the right thing, even if it led to their public shame or death. Look to the cross! Focus on what Jesus endured, and ask Him to continue transforming your life to resemble His.
  • There is also grace in waiting. Waiting when life is hard and going forward seems impossible. I love the example of the two Marys. They show us that faith in God (as seen in their obedience to the Sabbath command) is doing the next right thing even when their world around them is falling apart.
  • Ultimately Jesus too is resting. Six days shall we labor but the seventh is the Lord’s. Jesus all during Holy Week has worked. Now His body rests until He takes it up again on Resurrection Day.

Prayer:

Lord, we thank You for the power of Your cross. No time you spent on earth was wasted. The power of Your life on the lives of others shines forth even when all was dark. Please comfort hearts that are troubled today. Give grace for courage. Help us to remember your promise of resurrection!

Worship:

God Rested by Andrew Peterson

Following Jesus Through Holy Week – Thursday

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So much is contained in these passages from Thursday. Teaching, fellowship around a table, food, blessing, agony and betrayal.

At the center of it all is Christ Jesus our Lord.

Here’s an outline of what happened on Thursday1:

  • Preparation for the Passover (Matt. 26:17-19; Mark 14:12-16; Luke 22:7-13)
  • Passover meal / Last Supper (Matt. 26:20-35; Mark 14:17-26; Luke 22:14-30)
  • Upper Room Discourse (John 13:1-17:26)
  • Jesus prays in Gethsemane (Matt. 26:36-46; Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:39-46)

Let’s read today from Matthew 26:26-46

[26] Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” [27] And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, [28] for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. [29] I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

[30] And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. [31] Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ [32] But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” [33] Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” [34] Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” [35] Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same.

[36] Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” [37] And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. [38] Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” [39] And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” [40] And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? [41] Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” [42] Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” [43] And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. [44] So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. [45] Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. [46] Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.” (ESV)

What can we learn from this text?

The Passover Feast celebrated God’s deliverance of Israel from Egypt. Preparations for the feast involved sacrificing a lamb in the Temple and roasting it for the supper. At sundown on Thursday evening Jesus and His disciples reclined at a table to share the Passover together and what has become known to us as the Last Supper. Twenty-four hours from this time, Jesus would hang dead on a cross.

Hope prevails even on this dark night, for Jesus remains in control and living out all righteousness for His beloved people.

Consider that Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper, a celebration with bread and the cup of His sacrifice. He would soon be dead, but the Lord still led His disciples, ministered to them, and turned the darkest time of His life into a time of life-giving hope for all of us.

Consider also that the disciples all fled from Jesus at His hour of greatest need. He predicted this (26:31), and it happened (26:56). Yet Jesus did not choose these men for what they could contribute to Him or do to benefit Him. He tells them, “after I am raised up, I will go before you into Galilee” (26:32), a word of hope to wayward disciples that He would still love them and restore them.

Consider finally the solitary figure of Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, submitting Himself to the Father’s will. Feeling absolutely drained physically, He fell on His face before His Father, praying to the point of sweating great drops of blood. He prayed, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me” (26:39), the second time He mentioned a cup, and this “cup” being the full wrath of God for the sin of mankind. It was the Lord’s greatest hour of temptation, yet in great agony and with perfect love toward God He submitted to the Father’s will.

Application: 

  • As we prepare for Good Friday, meditate on what Jesus said His broken body and shed blood would signify: the forgiveness of your sins. Are you encouraged that Jesus, who knew all your sins, went willingly to the cross to die in your place? Think on that truth, for He wants us to.
  • Have you ever abandoned the Lord Jesus? Maybe you should have spoken up about the Lord but remained quiet. Perhaps you should have gone to Him for help but instead gave into temptation like His disciples. Whatever you have done, remember this: Jesus resisted all temptations and sins for when you could not. Trust in His substitutionary life and love for you.

Prayer:

Our Lord Jesus, we thank You for including us in the feast at Your table. We confess that we do not deserve to be included in the accomplishments of Your body and blood, but You submitted to the breaking and bloodshed for us. Jesus, thank You. We praise You too for Your obedience even to death, which is our ground of hope when we know we have not obeyed You with our lives. We love You and remember You today. Amen.

Worship:

Jesus, Thank You

There is a Fountain Filled With Blood

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1. Crossway is currently offering free access to their ESV Study Bible. To access the Harmony of the Holy Week Chart, simply sign up for that resource, and even more, from Crossway.

Following Jesus Through Holy Week – Wednesday

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The day of the traitor.

Sadly, this day long-anticipated by Jesus, was part of Holy Week and the turning of the tide against Jesus.

Here’s an outline of what happened on Wednesday1:

  • Jesus continues daily teaching in the Temple (Luke 21:37-38)
  • The Sanhedrin plot to kill Jesus (Matt. 26:3-5; Mark 14:1-2; Luke 22:1-2)
  • Judas, with Satan indwelling him, betrays Jesus (Matt. Mark 14:10-11; Luke 22:3-6)

Today we’ll focus on Luke 22:1-6

[1] Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called the Passover. [2] And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to put him to death, for they feared the people.

[3] Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. [4] He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. [5] And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. [6] So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd. (ESV)

What can we learn from this text?

This is undoubtedly one of the most troubling passages in all of scripture. Who, after following the Lord Jesus Christ for 3 years as a disciple, could commit this horrifying betrayal? As you read the gospel accounts and follow Judas through those 3 years, the answer is not as simple as the asking.

Judas left everything to follow Jesus (Luke 9:1-2). He received authority from Jesus to cast out demons and heal. He preached the gospel. He witnessed miracles of healing, multiplying bread and fish for thousands, and even the raising of Lazarus from the dead.

It is not enough to surround someone with excellent Bible teaching, show them all the wonders of Christ, His power and grace, and think that will be a secure road for saving his or her soul. Ultimately the depth of sin in Judas’s heart, evidenced by his unconfessed thieving from the common money bag (John 12:6), was fertile ground for Satan to enter into. Luke 22:3 describes the first time this happened, when Judas ultimately decided that Jesus was not worth following anymore, and John 13:27 describes another occasion when the devil possessed Judas.

Friends, we must consider the sober warning from the life of Judas: as we continue to follow Jesus, do we find Him of inestimable worth or do we continue to live at odds with Him? Do we want, as an evangelist I heard preach many years ago, a kingdom but not the King?

For more insight into Judas’s story, I recommend this helpful article from the Gospel Coalition.

Application:

  • We give Satan far too much authority. As Pastor Colin Smith, author of the article I referred to above, writes: “It is the peculiar majesty of Jesus that he can conquer man without man’s first approaching him. But Satan’s frailty is proved by this, that he cannot approach a soul unless that soul has first turned to him.”
  • Jesus is absolutely worth following, and the further we go with Him, the more we experience His glory and grace. Don’t turn away when He graciously exposes your sin, for at those times He calls on you to know His grace anew. Live in the light with Him.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, You are the Divine Searcher of all hearts. How grieved You were at the betrayal of Judas. How gracious you were to warn him again and again. Please search our hearts still today as we follow You through Your word. Establish us in relationship with You in deeper ways. Expose our sin so that we may forsake it and cling more closely to you. Thank you that you need no permission or please to work in our hearts this way. You are the Sovereign Lord of our hearts. We know this is true, even as we tremble at the life of Judas. Yet we pray earnestly still that you hold us fast. Amen.

Worship:

Listen to the song He Will Hold Me Fast

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1. Crossway is currently offering free access to their ESV Study Bible. To access the Harmony of the Holy Week Chart, simply sign up for that resource, and even more, from Crossway.

Following Jesus Through Holy Week – Tuesday

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After resting Monday night in Bethany, Jesus and His disciples returned to Jerusalem. Mark’s gospel records an incident on the way, and several scenes of teaching, including the well-known Olivet Discourse.

Here’s a helpful breakdown of what happened1 on Tuesday:

  • Disciples see the withered fig tree as they return to Jerusalem (Matt. 21:20-22; Mark 11:20-21)
  • Controversies in the Temple (Matt. 21:23-23:39; Mark 11:27-12:44; Luke 20:1-21:4)
  • Olivet Discourse on the return to Bethany (Matt. 24:1-25:46; Mark 13:1-37; Luke 21:5-36)

I will focus today on Mark 13:32-37

[32] “But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. [33] Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. [34] It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. [35] Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning—[36] lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. [37] And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.” (ESV)

What is Jesus teaching through this text?

Jesus and His disciples were up on the Mount of Olives, looking down on the Temple Mount after a day of testing and teaching there. The disciples had been amazed at the structure and buildings of the Temple. Yet when Jesus told them that soon not one stone would be left on another there, they wanted to understandably learn more! That’s what resulted in what is now called the “Olivet Discourse.” Jesus taught them on the Mount of Olives, the site of His future return to the earth, what the end of time would look like. There would be the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple (which did happen around AD 70), but there would also be tribulation and cosmic destruction that would precede the coming of Jesus in power and glory. Jesus said His disciples could count on these things happening, for He said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away” (Mark 13:31).

But, regarding the time when Jesus will return, no one knows except the Father and now the Son who sits at His right hand glorified. For now, Jesus commands all His disciples to “stay awake.”

How can we apply this text? 

  • No one has ever or can today predict the timing of our Lord’s return. “Not even the angels in heaven” know, and end times predictions so far made by others have not proven true.
  • But this doesn’t mean I shouldn’t focus on the end times! What matters is what aspect of the end times I focus on. It’s not the antichrist, wars, famine, pestilence and plague, death or nature dismantling around us. The focus on the end times is Jesus Himself. For where He is His people will be.
  • So, do I live today with expectation and longing for Jesus to return? “To love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength and to love ones neighbor as oneself is much more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices” (Mark 12:33). Loving Him and seeking Him out with all my being is what pleases my Lord in end times matters, and especially in this time.

Prayer

[20] He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

[21] The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen. (Revelation 22:20–21, ESV)

 

 

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1. Crossway is currently offering free access to their ESV Study Bible. To access the Harmony of the Holy Week Chart, simply sign up for that resource, and even more, from Crossway.

Following Jesus Through Holy Week – Monday

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Join me this week to read the gospel accounts that walk us through the final week of the Lord Jesus.

Here’s a helpful breakdown of what happened1 on Monday:

  • Jesus curses the fig tree (Matt. 21:18-19; Mark 11:12-14)
  • Jesus cleanses the temple (Matt. 21:12-13; Mark 11:15-18; Luke 19:45-46)
  • Jesus returns to Bethany with His disciples (Mark 11:19

Let’s examine today what Mark recorded about these events.

Mark 11:12–19

[12] On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. [13] And seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see if he could find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. [14] And he said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard it.

[15] And they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold and those who bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. [16] And he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. [17] And he was teaching them and saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers.” [18] And the chief priests and the scribes heard it and were seeking a way to destroy him, for they feared him, because all the crowd was astonished at his teaching. [19] And when evening came they went out of the city. (ESV)

What must we learn from this text?

Most Bible teachers see the curse on the fig tree and the clearing of the Temple as related events. How do they relate? Consider first that Jesus was hungry and looked for fruit on the fig tree. On first reading this you may think that it’s strange for anyone to look for figs when Mark says it wasn’t the season for figs. However, when Jesus saw the leaves on the tree from a distance, He knew that when fig leaves appear, so too appears the green figs. That’s true of fig trees: the appearance of leaves should be accompanied by the first figs. He curses the tree and travels down the Kidron Valley and up into Jerusalem.

Jesus clears the Temple for the same essential reason that he cursed the fig tree: He finds no fruit among the worshippers. Worship has become a means to get money, not get God. Those charged with leading and shepherding people to God were actually preventing them from God. Jesus says, “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations… but you have made it a den of robbers!”

Here’s what we should consider on this Monday:

  • Jesus expects fruit from His people. He has the right to demand the fruit of worship and prayer from my life.
  • Let each of us consider: am I truly seeking God and helping others do the same? Or am I content with religious activity that centers on man?

Prayer

Lord Jesus, how much You desired to see fruit come from Your people that Passover week so long ago. You are worthy, wonderful King of receiving the gifts of Your people. All they were and had then, and all we are and have now, should be the praise of Your great Name. Forgive us for how we have lived for ourselves. Help us by Your Spirit to bring fruit to You today.

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1. Crossway is currently offering free access to their ESV Study Bible. To access the Harmony of the Holy Week Chart, simply sign up for that resource, and even more, from Crossway.