March 31, 2010 AD

Dear FBCO friends,

We are looking at what Jesus went through in the last week of His earthly life. Today is Wednesday and it is known as the…

Day of Silence: Welcome to Silent Wednesday. The Bible doesn't record anything of Jesus' life on this day. Nothing. He stayed with His disciples at the home of Mary, Martha, & Lazarus in Bethany (a suburb of Jerusalem). How did he spend the day?

We can only guess. Probably teaching His followers about tomorrow's trials, seeking to prepare them for the shock they will soon face, comforting them on the eve of His arrest, and preparing Himself to go to the cross for us. Jesus often prayed early in the morning (Mark 1:35) and late at night (Luke 6:12), so He spent this day in communion with His Abba - one of the last times He would address God as His “Daddy”.

Think of what Jesus could have done but didn’t do. Jesus could still escape Jerusalem and flee to the safety of His Galilean homeland, but He chose to stay and die, and spent this day getting ready.

The Lord calls us to "Be still and know that I am God." (Psalm 46:10) In the midst of a very busy time, when "so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat," Jesus said to his disciples, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." (Mark 6:31)

I write this on March 31 - 1/4 of 2010 is history. Life goes by fast - too fast. Tasks get done and relationships suffer. When last did you accept Jesus' invitation to be alone with your Abba? Visualize Jesus at Bethany surrounded by His disciples and friends, you among them. Picture Him in the center of the room, and sit at His feet. As you rest in His presence, thank Him for what He will do for you this week. Praise Him for His loving grace. Commit to Him your grateful obedience. Decide to meet Jesus each morning in worship and Word. Then see Him smile at you, His child!

Tonight in my Exodus study we will look at what happens when you try to follow God’s will and all chaos breaks out. Life is complicated. God is bigger than life. Come join us at 6:00pm in Room 705-706. Read Exodus 4 before coming, if you get a chance.

As I study more of Jesus this week, I fall more in love with Him - and you.

Until then, "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift His countenance upon you and grant you peace." (Numbers 6:24-26) Amen.

The shepherd loves the sheep,

Pastor Roger