On "Palm Sunday," five days before Christ's crucifixion, he entered Jerusalem on a donkey colt to the sound of cheering crowds hailing, "Hosanna!" (a word that means, "save us now"). "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" and, "Blessed is the king of Israel!" was on the lips of those who pushed in to see the celebrity. They laid palm branches in his path to demonstrate honor they would soon betray. (This is how "Palm Sunday" got its name.) This fifteen minutes of fame on Palm Sunday was a glimpse of the glory that was to come to Jesus. It was a preview of what was revealed to John and recorded in Chapters 19 and 21 of Revelation.
"I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean." (Revelation 19:11-14; see also vs.1-16, and 21:1-2, 6-7.)
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The Jewish day traditionally begins and ends at sunset. Four days after Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem, as the sun set, beginning of the Feast of Passover, Jesus gave his disciples an important lesson. Because of this very special lesson, that evening would become known as, "Maunday Thursday," which means, "Service Thursday."
"It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love. 'I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.' 'A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.'" (John 13:1,15,34)
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The following day, Crucifixion Day, is referred to by many as, "Good Friday." It fell on the Jewish holiday of Passover, a day to commemorate God's protection from the death angel who was unleashed to plague the Egyptians who had enslaved the Israelites hundreds of years before. That great miracle of God required every household of Israel to kill a lamb and sprinkle its blood on the doorposts and lentils of each home. To spare each family's eldest son from certain death, God demanded the blood of a sacrificial lamb.
"Jesus used this figure of speech, but they did not understand what he was telling them. 'I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life---only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, ...but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.'" (John 10:6,11,17-18,27-28)
"For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect." (1 Peter 1:18-19)
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For three days, Jesus' body lay in a freshly cut tomb in a garden near where Jesus was slain. The funeral was paid for by a wealthy follower of Jesus named Joseph, but his private tomb was sealed and guarded by the command of Pilate, the Roman governor. Earlier in his ministry, Jesus had prophesied, "For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." (Matthew 12:40) Jonah wasn't the only allegorical foreshadow of Jesus' stay in the tomb. Joseph, the favored son of Jacob, the father of all Israel, was cast into a pit, and the blood of a goat was smeared on his coat to cover his sale to the slave traders, but he was ultimately promoted to second in command of Egypt. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were hurled into a furnace because of their righteousness, but were seen walking around inside with a radiant fourth man, until the king released them and promoted them within the province. Daniel was sealed in a lion's den, but was spared death, protected by the angel of God, and later prospered with the kings blessing. Lazarus, the friend of Jesus himself, was mummified and placed in a grave for four days before the Christ called him forth.
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Resurrection Day is remembered as Easter Sunday. This is the day that makes all of Christianity matter. Had it not been for Christ's resurrection, there would have been no cause to celebrate his death, and even less purpose in commemorating his birth, for he would have been proven just a man. Jesus Christ was and is God. He was made man, faced and conquered death, and is now returned to God the Father, where he sits as God the Son, enthroned as King, forever. He sent his Spirit to be with us, guide us and teach us. He remains in the hearts of any who invite him in. Hallelujah! He is alive!
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time." (1 Peter 1:3-5)
Wednesday, March 17, Kylee Boden, pregnant in week 35, was rushed to the emergency room with a condition we now know was eclampsia. Doctors performed a Cesarean section and delivered Caleb Boden, who is healthy and well. Kylee experienced some intracranial bleeding and other complications, and she did not recover through the day. She met her Savior shortly before 6:00 that evening. Matt and Kylee have ministered at the Center for Global Outreach in various counseling, mentoring and training roles. Kylee's unexpected death touches as many lives as her great love did. They have four children: twins Seth and Lydia (5), Sarai (2 1/2), and Caleb.
