Wednesday of Holy Week

The earthly form of Christ is the form that died on the cross. The image of God is the image of Christ crucified. It is to this image that the life of the disciples must be conformed; in other words, they must be conformed to his death (Phil 3.10, Rom 6.4) The Christian life is a life of crucifixion (Gal 2.19) In baptism the form of Christ’s death is impressed upon his own. They are dead to the flesh and to sin, they are dead to the world, and the world is dead to them (Gal 6.14). Anybody living in the strength of Christ’s baptism lives in the strength of Christ’s death.

  – Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship

Good Friday is perhaps the most difficult event in all of Scripture for us humans to get our minds around. The idea that God, if there is a God, would not only allow, but will, his son to die on a cross, is incomprehensible to many. To top it off, we call this event “Good”

And it is hard to understand. I recently heard a comedian sum up Christianity in this way: “The notion that accepting Jesus Christ as your savior absolves you of all wrongdoing of any scale feels like a crock of ****.”

It is only honest of us to express our own concerns, doubts, or wonderings about the mystery of salvation through Jesus’ sacrifice. But what I hope we can find as we worship and observe these next few Holy Days, is that God is at work in a powerful way in this moment. God has not just sent his son to die as an expression of love, or as a lesson about sacrifice or humility. Rather, the moment of Jesus death is a cosmic, powerful, God-sized atonement event where in an instance Jesus has all the sin and evil of the world piled on his shoulders, and then buried with him in the tomb. He takes it all, and pays the price.

We should not be tempted to think that there is magic or hocus-pocus involved. Or that just by saying we “choose Jesus” as our savior that we are saved by our words. What has happened is that he has chosen us. Not everyone sees it. Sometimes this truth might slip out of focus for us as well. But the cross is proof that God has chosen to save humanity, providing a path to salvation for the world.

The joy of resurrection is around the corner. But for these few days let us sit in thankfulness, reflecting on the goodness of this Friday, where we see beyond all doubt, that though we have been weak, he is strong.

~Pastor Mike Middaugh

Soon

Many indeed are the wondrous happenings of that time: God hanging from a Cross, the sun made dark, and again flaming out; for it was fitting that creation should mourn with its Creator. The temple veil rent, blood and water flowing from his side: the one as from a man, the other as from what was above man; the earth was shaken, the rocks shattered because of the rock; the dead risen to bear witness of the final and universal resurrection of the dead. The happenings at the sepulchre, and after the sepulchre, who can fittingly recount them? Yet not one of them can be compared to the miracle of my salvation. A few drops of blood renew the whole world, and do for all men what the rennet does for milk: joining us and binding us together.
– St Gregory of Nazianzus in Ancient Commentary on Scripture

Indeed, many are the wondrous happening of these next days. We are invited to watch and see, to come and worship, to meditate and reflect.

What are your plans for this Holy Week? How will you meet with Him? Will you change your routines to make room?

~Pastor Mike Middaugh

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

Palm Sunday, April 14th | 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.

Maundy Thursday, April 18th | 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 19th | 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. This service is a Tenebrae service, or service of darkness.

Easter Sunday, April 21st
6:30am Sunrise Service (Outdoors)
10:00am Festival Service
He is Risen! 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.

An Easter Egg Hunt will immediately follow the service. All kids welcome!