Passion Week Meditations — Day 6: Friday
Light from burning torches pierces the darkness of Gethsemane’s garden, a common prayer refuge for Jesus and His disciples (John 18:1–14). Judas arrives leading a large group of armed soldiers. He greets Jesus, goes to Him, and kisses Him. “Whom do you seek?” Jesus asks the soldiers. They respond, “Jesus of Nazareth.” “I am He,” Jesus answers. The soldiers stagger backward and fall! Jesus requests that they not arrest His disciples, thus fulfilling what He had said to the Father earlier that same night (John 17:12). Recovering from their
Passion Week Meditations — Day 5: Thursday
Peter and John converse with Jesus as He instructs them how to prepare for observing the Passover meal together in Jerusalem (Luke 22:7–16). They leave Bethany to meet a man carrying a pitcher of water who has a room in which they will meet. Around 6:00 PM they all gather in the large, furnished upper room. Technically, on Jewish time, it is now Friday, Nisan 14, Passover (Exodus 12). The lamb for their Passover is slain at twilight and they can smell the meat roasting on a nearby
Passion Week Meditations — Day 4: Wednesday
Silence. Nothing sinks deeper into the soul than total silence. We need time apart from the noise, static, and rush. Time to meditate. Time to think. Time to pray. Wednesday of the Passion Week gets no space in Scripture — not a word. After Tuesday’s confrontation, controversy, and conspiracy Jesus and His disciples must have been drained physically, mentally, emotionally, and perhaps even spiritually. How do you feel today? Are you ready for the coming observance of Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection? When Pharaoh and his chariots trapped Israel
Passion Week Meditations — Day 3: Tuesday
As the sun rises on yet another day, Jesus and His disciples leave Bethany again to return to Jerusalem. On the way, they pass the fig tree and the disciples marvel at how quickly it has dried up. Seizing the opportunity, Jesus teaches them about the power of faith and prayer (Mark 11:19–26). He explains that one key to an effective prayer life involves forgiving others. He knows they need this lesson for today. Today they will encounter confrontation, controversy, and conspiracy. Returning to the temple, Jesus again engages
Passion Week Meditations — Day 2: Monday
In the morning sunlight, before most of the village inhabitants have left their homes, a small group of men exits a house in Bethany and they walk up the slope on the east side of the Mount of Olives. For a second day they travel along the road to Jerusalem — this time without the shouting throngs that accompanied them yesterday. Jesus leads the way. Being hungry, He catches sight of a fig tree along the roadside. Although it has leaves, its expected fruit is nowhere to be
Passion Week Meditations — Day 1: Palm Sunday
Children run alongside the donkey carrying a man everyone recognizes. He had raised Lazarus from the dead (John 11) not many days ago. Crowds of people gather and join the procession (Matthew 21). Their shouts ring out, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Matthew 21:9 ESV) — phrases taken right out of Psalm 118:22–29. “Hosanna” in Hebrew means “Do save!” This is their long-awaited King, fulfilling Zechariah 9:9. From Bethany, the procession moves to the top of the
NEXT UP: Remember the Wonders of God
It is a privilege to proclaim the wonders of God, but it is also expected of Christians. If the people of God do not remember and proclaim the wonders of God, nobody will. When we cease to think and talk about God’s great deeds, we cease to seek Him for our needs, which are consuming and demanding; they will not go unmet. Therefore, we reach for something to satisfy our yearnings. But if we turn anywhere other than God, we have turned away from life and toward death. This
What Will You See? – Waterfalls
One thing people on river trips through the Grand Canyon are often surprised by are the number of waterfalls we encounter. In such a drastically dry desert environment, seeing water cascading from canyon crevices is an unexpected delight. The Grand Canyon is home to numerous waterfalls, both large and small. The most well-known waterfall in the Grand Canyon would have to be Havasu Falls. Standing at the base of this tumbling torrent of turquoise and travertine whisks you away to another world — seeming an island paradise, rather than
NEXT UP: The Beginning Matters
In the second part of our NEXT UP: Why Does This Matter? series I want to talk about why the beginning matters. In case you missed the first part, you can click here to read. I have often enjoyed the Indiana Jones movies. My favorite was “The Last Crusade.” The plot of this adventurous movie was to locate the holy grail. It was thought the grail possessed the power to give eternal youth to those who drank from it. Indiana Jones desired to find the grail to keep it
What Will You See? – Snow
One of the surprising things to many who come to Northern Arizona is the fact that we have snow. And when I say snow, I mean not just a little, but quite a lot! In fact, Flagstaff is often listed as one of the top 10 snowiest cities in America each year. While we see a fair amount of it on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon as well, it pales in comparison to the North Rim. Being roughly a thousand feet higher in elevation than the