-Saturday of Holy Week-

All is quiet now.

The cross is empty. The tomb is covered. The guards are waiting, the disciples hiding.

But don’t confuse quiet with silence.

Some have said God is silent, where is his answer to our prayers? Others said “God is dead.”

But don’t confuse quiet with silence.

On the seventh day of creation, God rested. For six laborious days he spoke all things into existence. Then rest. A quiet rest, but not silence. The fruit of his labor was busily multiplying. And God’s spirit sustaining all.

Now, on another seventh day, God rests again. The work is done, the job is finished, all has been accomplished.

The disciples wondered if this was it, as the grave sat covered and still. But little did they know. Underneath the quiet, behind the rest, a joyful noise was brimming.

In one more day, now the eighth, a new thing will be done. Where sin once reigned, and death took hold, the victorious King will come forth.

All is quiet, but not silent, this is the preparation.

Tomorrow we join in.

-Thursday of Holy Week-

The table is set, the meal is ready. But one more job to do.

The disciples’ toes were dirty.

Who have you let touch your feet? Would you present them quickly to Jesus?

Strange to us, but normal for them, the washing of feet was necessary before a meal. Everyone reclining together, lounging at the table. But if stinky, muddy, ugly feet were close, who could enjoy the food?

Of course, this was someone else’s job. Not the master of the house. He has more important things to do, providing the food, pouring the wine, leading the ritual conversation. How could he be soiled, by other people’s toes?

Yet look at Jesus, he gives himself. He takes off his outer garments. He becomes exposed to other people’s judgments.

He invites them over, takes their feet, pours out the water of absolution.

Sure, he gets messy in the process. But his disciples whom he loves, now they are welcome at the table. He has washed, cleansed, and covered over the ickiest, stickiest parts of their entire body. Now they can eat and drink, enjoying fully, the meal set before them. (And what a feast it is!)

Finally, a small challenge given. A simple invitation. Go and do as I have done. Become a servant of others. Not because of who you are, but because of what I have given.

This is the path of blessing.

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. 
Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
Psalm 51:10-12

-Tuesday of Holy Week-

We call it the week of the Passion.

Passion – what a word.

For us it invokes a sense of strong emotion, feeling, or concern.

Certainly that is part of what is happening. Jesus, the God-Man, had passion for his people. He saw the world and his heart was moved. He saw our pain and decided something must be done. His passion, for them, for us, moved him into action.

But there is also something peculiar here. The original meaning of this word in Greek is πάσχω (pasxo), which can denote heavy emotion, feeling. But more often pasxo means “to suffer,” “to endure,” “to be acted upon.” (Luke 22:15; Luke 24:46; Acts 1:3)

And so we have something profound indicated by this word.

If God’s passion for his people had led him to action, if he had acted upon the world, then sin might have been wiped out, but we would have been as well. Sin does not stand alone, it cannot just be destroyed. For it is people who are sinful, it us who are the problem. To destroy sin, is to destroy us.

But God’s desire for his people is so deep, so all-consuming, that in his passion he did not act upon us, but rather, willingly he was acted upon. Luther called this the great exchange. Him for us. Him instead of us. That is the meaning of pasxo – to suffer, to feel, to be afflicted. But for a purpose.

In his suffering he takes our sin. He endures so we might be freed. In his pain our sin is swallowed up.

In this Holy Week of Passion, suffering somehow is good, because it leads to our salvation.

O Lord, we thank you for your Passion. You have loved us so deeply you have given yourself, body, emotion, and all in order that we might live. Let us not take this for granted, but rather grant our lives to your work.

Join us in hearing again the story of King Jesus’ week of Passion.

Palm Sunday, April 9th | 10:00am
Our Palm Sunday Service moves from Jesus’ royal welcome into Jerusalem upon the back of a donkey to the more somber scene of Jesus’ eventual arrest and trial before those who wished do him harm. This year we also celebrate the Rite of Confirmation in our Palm Sunday Service.

Maundy Thursday, April 13th | 7:30pm
Our Maundy Thursday Service focuses on the events of the last supper which Jesus shared with his disciples. Service of Holy Communion.

Good Friday, April 14th | 7:30pm
Our Good Friday Service is a reflective and meditative service as we are reminded of what Jesus endured for the sake of his people.

Easter Sunday, April 16th
6:30am Sunrise Service (Outdoors)
10:00am Celebration Service
Long Live the King! Our Easter Services celebrate Jesus’ resurrection and all this means for his people. Breakfast will be served between services from 7:30am – 9:30am. All are welcome.