This week, we enter into Passion Week. We will recount the events of the final days of Jesus on earth. Jesus spent his last moments with his disciples and preparing for his imminent death on the cross, in less than a week’s time. However, the “end” was much different than anyone could have expected. God had in plan a dawn of a new day and new life that goes beyond death.

Monday and Tuesday

Read Matthew 21:12 – 25:13

What was the importance of Jesus cleansing the temple? How did the religious leaders opposing him respond? What did Jesus teach on at this point of his ministry? Are these things important to us?

Wednesday

Read Matthew 26:14-16

What did Judas Iscariot—one of Jesus’ disciples—do on this day? Where were the other disciples? Jesus was silent now from teaching. Spend a moment in silence today and reflect.

Thursday

Read Matthew 26:17-46

Jesus shared with his disciples in a final meal, the Last Supper, which became a marker for all followers of Jesus to remember him and his act of sacrifice and love. We call it Communion today. Then Jesus goes to pray before being arrested and put on trial. Take the time to remember, reflect, and agonize over the sudden turn of events in Jesus’ life.

Good Friday

Read Matthew 26:14 – 27:66

On the very eventful Good Friday, Jesus was betrayed by his disciple Judas and arrested, then hauled before several different authorities—first the Jewish religious leaders, then the Roman governor Pontius Pilate. Sentenced to death, Jesus was crucified alongside two criminals. Upon his death, he was buried in a nearby tomb.

(Join us Friday at 7:30pm in the Worship Center to remember and worship Christ together.)

SACRIFICE – Week 5: 4/7 – 4/13

Lent is a time to identify with Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. Each week you will go through a rhythm of looking to Christ, thinking about Christ, living like Christ, and worshipping Christ. Spend the week reading, reflecting, praying, and going to do likewise. Then come and celebrate together.

Look to Christ (Confession) Monday

Read John 10:11-15

Merciful God, will you renew my mind and correct my heart from my selfishness and self-centeredness. I confess and admit that I frequently seek what satisfies and benefits me, or gives me the upper hand over others. It’s easier for me to stand on the sidelines and keep my life safe and simple than to engage into what’s needed though it may be demanding. I walk away from what might be costly to me. Help me, Dead Lord, to surrender to God. Help me, Dead Lord, to be bold and willing to lay myself down for the sake of others. Help me, Dear Lord, to give up the values of this world but to take up the values of your kingdom. Amen.

Think about Christ (Contemplation) Tuesday

Read Mark 8:34-38

What good is it to gain the whole world and lose your life? There is a lot we hold as precious and are not willing to surrender to God, give away, or use for others: time, money, property and assets, people and relationships, health, education. The more we save, accumulate and horde all these things, the less we pursue the greater things of God. There’s no space for the spiritual things. God condemns idolatry. Jesus says one cannot serve God and mammon. Apart from the gospel, all is in vain and useless. Jesus calls us to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow him. This is what it means to follow Jesus. The way of Jesus is the way of sacrifice. We lose ourselves to gain Christ and the eternity promised to us.

Live as Christ (Commission) Wednesday – Saturday

• Interrupt your day to serve or help someone in need.

• Give up an issue or position you are holding in a relationship so there will be harmony.

• Take up a difficult task for someone, sparing them the hardship.

• Is there surplus that you have that can benefit others? Draw limits in your financial accounts where everything above it goes to the needy or some charity.

• Have you surrendered your life to Lord Jesus so he may be master over it?

Worship Christ: (Celebration) Sunday

LAMENT – Week 4: 3/31 – 4/6

Lent is a time to identify with Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. Each week you will go through a rhythm of looking to Christ, thinking about Christ, living like Christ, and worshipping Christ. Spend the week reading, reflecting, praying, and going to do likewise. Then come and celebrate together.

Look to Christ (Confession) Monday

Read Psalm 13

Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath. For your arrows have pierced me, and your hand has come down up me. My body wastes away because of my sins; my guilt overwhelms me; my shame drowns me. I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sins. Lord, do not forsake me; be not far from me, God. Grant my heart deep lament over my own sins and the sins of others against you and against me. Forgive my sin, and make me new, that I might have peace with you, peace with others, and peace within myself.

Think about Christ (Contemplation) Tuesday

Read Mark 13:1-37

To lament is to express grief and sorrow over something or someone. It is anguish and remorse for the present condition and the fallen state of people and this world. What are things to lament? The impact of sin in you and in the people around you. The evil in the world. Pain and physical illness. Injustice in the world. Death and the suffering from loss. But God-centered lament is accompanied with hope and assurance that God is sovereign and victorious. It is a sorrow and grief that is temporary and pales in comparison to the greater hope and glory to come. Lamenting is framed within the knowledge that Jesus has come, and he has conquered sin and death.

Live as Christ (Commission) Wednesday – Saturday

• Consider how your own sin has resulted in bad consequences.
Engage and learn about one or more of the following: refugees in Europe or SE Asia, human trafficking and modern slavery, the American opiate crisis, radical political ideologies.

• Fast and pray for the spiritually lost.

• Take a drive to Skid Row. Pray for the condition of the people and the environment in which they live.

Worship Christ: (Celebration) Sunday