HOLY WEEK – THURSDAY

“For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.” – John 13:15-16

Before the Passover meal began, Jesus set an example and gave a command for every believer who would ever follow Him. He knelt down and washed the dusty feet of His own followers. This was work so humble and demeaning that a Jewish slave couldn’t be forced to do it. King Jesus did it willingly. Not because He had to. Because He was the Son of God with all authority. Knowing that, He used His authority to wash the feet of those who followed Him imperfectly and the feet of the one who soon betrayed Him. Every foot got washed as a demonstration of Christ’s authority.

That’s the example Jesus set for us and the command He gave every follower. Do likewise. Humble ourselves. Serve one another. Exercise authority in the service of love. Because followers of Jesus have His delegated authority to work in this world in His name, we’re empowered and commanded to serve one another with humility. In Christ’s Kingdom, authority is given to serve others, not boss them around. A true follower of Jesus doesn’t lord his or her power over another. Power is to be used for serving and blessing others. Authority should demonstrate love for those being led, not power over them.

Later that night, Jesus didn’t break into a palace to steal an earthly throne. He was arrested and condemned to die in agony the next day, before rising from death and ascending to the throne in Heaven. King Jesus knows power and authority. And He demonstrated and commanded that whatever power or authority you have be used to bless others, not make their lives harder. #FollowJesus

HOLY WEEK – WEDNESDAY

“Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called the Passover. And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to put him to death, for they feared the people. Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd.”

– Luke 22:1-6

The Scripture doesn’t specifically say much about Wednesday. But that doesn’t mean things weren’t happening! The rage and jealousy of the religious leaders toward Jesus was boiling over. They’d repeatedly failed to trap Him in His words or bring Him down in the eyes of the people. His continued condemnation of their hypocrisy and sin were outrageous. The messianic energy of the crowds following Him frightened them.

Would Jesus turn the people against them? Would He start a revolution? Would He trigger a Roman crackdown that would cost them their influence and income? On what’s sometimes called “Spy Wednesday”, anger, fear, jealousy, greed, and the devil came together to hatch a practical plan to solve the Jesus problem permanently (or so they thought)!

Lest you feel too superior to them, ask God to run a thorough inspection of your heart. Would you be tempted to do the same thing in their situation? The truth is that there are many highly religious Christians today who would be sufficiently offended and embarrassed by the person and presence of Jesus that they’d be tempted to get rid of Him too! Christians more attached to wealth, influence, popularity, politics, favorite sins, and their warped version of Christianity than to their Lord.

Unfortunately, such attitudes can be subtle and infectious. Today seems like the perfect day to check and make sure nothing like that has happened to you! #FollowJesus

HOLY WEEK – TUESDAY

“And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.’” – Mark 12:41-44

Tuesday was a very busy day for Jesus in the Temple. He met, observed, debated, and clashed with all kinds of people. On this day, Jesus commended the handful whose actions and attitudes were truly devoted to God. He condemned the many who only pretended to be faithful. Amidst countless controversies, conflicts, and condemnations for those overflowing with religiosity, money, power, and prestige came this deep love, honor, and praise for a poor woman who loved and trusted the Lord enough to make genuine sacrifices. While Jesus had little positive to say about those who considered themselves to be important, He loved humble people filled with genuine faith.

Jesus cares first and foremost for the condition of people’s hearts. Not their outward religiosity. Not their status or prosperity. Their heart. Jesus knows what’s in every heart and that’s what He desires: transformed, circumcised, devoted hearts of love, faith, generosity, and service. Not the appearance of those things. Their reality. Followers of Jesus must value the same thing in ourselves and others.

How’s your heart? Today is a perfect day to ask Jesus to inspect your heart! Is it like that of this poor widow? Or is it hard and self-satisfied like those who repeatedly tried to trick or trap Jesus that day in the Temple? #FollowJesus

HOLY WEEK – MONDAY

“In the morning, as he was returning to the city, he became hungry. And seeing a fig tree by the wayside, he went to it and found nothing on it but only leaves. And he said to it, “May no fruit ever come from you again!” And the fig tree withered at once.” – Matthew 21:18-19

After Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, this seems like a strange way to start a Monday! What’s going on in this story? Was Jesus just hangry? Of course not!!!

The fig tree was a biblical symbol of the nation of Israel. On the Monday of Holy Week, Jesus encountered a fig tree that looked good and fruitful from a distance. However, upon closer inspection, He discovered it had no fruit growing. That tree wasn’t doing what it was made to do. So, Jesus condemned the tree.

With this act, He symbolically condemned the Temple and the nation of Israel. Both things looked quite impressive from a distance. So devoted to God. So awe-inspiring and zealous. However, on closer inspection, completely unfruitful. Rotten through-and-through. Business was being done on the Temple grounds, much of it dishonest. People earnestly came to meet God but their priests and religious leaders were corruptly conspiring to kill God’s Son to protect their own status, power, and money.

The fig tree was a symbol, an acted out parable about what lay in store for Jerusalem. Later in the week, its leaders would condemn Jesus to die. However, the real condemnation was on them as they repeatedly proved that they didn’t now God, and didn’t care to know Him. Even when He walked into His own temple. #FollowJesus