Lenten Reading and Devotion, March 31, 2023

It is obvious when we reflect on Holy Week that it leads to the cross, and Jesus experienced an agonizing death there. I think of it, and I wince, thinking of the pain. Yet there was also a different type of pain Jesus had to have experienced. Someone recently pointed out to me the emotional pain Jesus must have felt as well in the last days leading to the cross. Think for a moment how it feels when someone you love betrays you? The hurt, pain, confusion, and emotional struggle it brings was a large part of Jesus' story in the last days and hours before the cross.   Judas betrayed Him in the garden for 30 pieces of silver, the disciples scattered from the garden, Peter denied Him three times, and let us not forget those in the crowd. Think for a moment about all those who laid down palm branches as Jesus entered Jerusalem, those who heard Jesus teach, who saw the miracles, who received the miracles, who He fed, those who followed Him around day after day, and the curious onlookers. Many of them had to be at the trial of Jesus and Barabbas. So when Pilot offered them the choice of whom to let go, they chanted right along with everyone, "Crucify Him! Crucify Him!" Probably some of the same ones who had blessed His name a few days earlier were now chanting to have Him killed! Emotionally it had to have had a terrible effect on Jesus. What a terrible way to spend the last days and hours being abandoned by everyone you love. 
So when the week is finished, Jesus has died alone on a cross and been placed in a dark, quiet tomb. Through the cross and into the tomb, that is where Holy Week leads us. It shows us where we all end up if not for what comes next. Holy Week… and then Easter! Holy Week gives us the opportunity to truly understand where we are as human beings if not for the resurrected Christ. Holy Week reveals our need for a risen savior. Somewhere in the story between the triumphal entry and the cross is where we are left, if not for Easter. We can all find ourselves in the people and events of Holy Week. I encourage you to take time this coming week and ask yourselves a question or two.

- Where in the story of Jesus last week do you find yourself? Do you identify with Judas, Peter, Pilate, a roman soldier, the thief on the cross, or are you just part of the chanting crowd?

- How does thinking about Holy Week and the Cross make you more thankful for Easter as it approaches?


John 21: 15 - 25

Jesus Reinstates Peter

When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”

The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”

Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”

Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” Because of this, the rumor spread among the believers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”

This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true.

Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.