1 QUOTE

“If you focus on what you left behind, you will never be able to see what lies ahead.”

– Gusteau in Ratatouille

1 NOTE

Have you ever had a week where everything changed? I remember packing our labor and delivery overnight bag on a Friday morning and making sure the new car seat was secure. The next Friday afternoon, everything changed. Becky and I drove to the hospital as a family of two. We drove home with our first daughter Joy, as a family of three. On the opposite end of the life spectrum, I will never forget driving my amazing mother Yung Soon Teter, to the hospital as she battled a terrible infection at age 86. Her body began to shut down in the hospital. In her last hours, it was just the two of us in her room, praying and singing worship songs together. Mom and I drove to the hospital together, as a family of two. But I drove home alone, a 47 year-old orphan. So much can change in seven days.

Sunday marked the beginning of Holy Week in the Christian calendar. In John’s Gospel, three years are covered in chapters 1-12. Chapters 13-20 cover one week. Holy week begins with the crowds throwing a parade for Jesus. They believed he was the political superstar who would defeat Caesar. By Friday morning they were calling for his execution. They should have known Jesus was not of this world. He didn’t travel to Jerusalem via private plane or luxury vehicle. Jesus arrived to his own parade on a donkey.

On Thursday night, Jesus did three things for his disciples. First, he washed feet (John 13:3). My dear friend Luke Greenwood helped me see that the dirt from the feet of the disciples marked his towel, just as the Roman whips would mark his body. Second, Jesus took the disciples on a field trip, using the temple emblem to instruct about vines, branches and fruit (John 15:1). And finally, Jesus prayed. The High Priest prayer (John 17:1-26) is the theological center of the entire Bible. This is the only place where we know in precise detail exactly what Jesus prayed for. Spoiler alert…Jesus prayed for you and me. Friday was the day that God died to save his disciples from his own justice. Jesus is no hired hand or thief. Jesus is the Noble  Shepherd that laid down his life for his sheep. And on Sunday, Jesus rose from the dead to inaugurate the beginning of humanity 2.0! So much can change in seven days.

1 QUESTION

How will you draw near to God in prayer, worship and Kingdom mission this Holy Week?

Until Next Tuesday,

John