As iron sharpens iron,
one person sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17)
Not too many people think much about Good Friday anymore.
There was a time when whole communities were virtually shut down on Good Friday afternoon. Businesses closed, or at least allowed their employees to attend church services. I’m sure some still do this—but I wonder how many people in the general public would even know what we mean when we talk about Good Friday.
“1. A surprising number of unchurched persons attended Good Friday services…. 2. There seems to be a greater spiritual hunger in the communities the churches serve…. 3. Simplicity was effective and appropriate.” - Thom Rainer
Another Easter season has come and gone. It’s Easter Monday (yes, that’s really a thing) as I write this, and I thought it might be a good time to share a few thoughts about the meaning and significance of the season, as I understand it.
“The word Maundy comes from the Latin word mandatum, which, in English, simply means ‘mandate.’ In the upper room (John 13–17), Jesus gave His disciples the new commandment (i.e., the new mandate) after washing their feet.” - Ligonier
As we enter into Palm Sunday and Passion Week, it is appropriate that we focus our attention on the discourse that Jesus gave His disciples in the Upper Room—most of it after Judas left (John 13:30)—on the night before His death.
I asserted in the previous installment that Jesus took this opportunity to reveal many new truths associated with the church age to His apostles.
“Jesus predicted in Matthew 12:39–40 that he would be in the grave for three days and three nights….Culturally, for Jews, it means part of one day, a full day, and part of the third day.” - Word by Word
Discussion