Christ found some of the courts of the temple turned into a market for cattle and things used in the sacrifices, and partly occupied by the money-changers. Our Lord drove them from the place, as he had done at his entering upon his ministry, Joh 2:13-17. His works testified of him more than the hosannas; and his healing in the temple was the fulfilling the promise, that the glory of the latter house should be greater than the glory of the former. If Christ came now into many parts of his visible church, how many secret evils he would discover and cleanse! And how many things daily practised under the cloak of religion, would he show to be more suitable to a den of thieves than to a house of prayer! (MATTHEW 21; LUKE 19: MARK 11)...
HE would go every morning to the temple area to teach, but at night, HE would go up to the Mount called Olivet; all the while, the chief priests, scribes, and leading men were conspiring to destroy HIM...
It is the HOLY WEEK, one of great reverence, and of recounting THE GOSPEL; which has various traditions throughout various Denominations, and various orders of sharing them. Since the early Church, it was slated as a time of special observances based upon the Apostolical Constitutions, dating as far back as the end of the 3RD century, through the 4TH century A. D., and are the premise for the Catholic (which means universal) tradition of celebrating Lent, however, various precepts therein, are practiced by other Denominations, such as abstinence, and so forth; it is a historically interesting week. From final teachings, to washing the Disciples feet, to the anguished journey to the cross, HOLY WEEK holds much for the spirit...
It is a time of remembrance, of HOPE, of renewal, of regeneration, of transformation, of celebrating the MIRACLE of THE GIFT OF LIFE; the very nature of THE LORD *GOD'S* LOVE for HIS own! Despite there being a rift in THE BODY of CHRIST, THE CHURCH, concerning Doctrines, Dogmas, and so on, in such times, there should be a melding in celebrating this unprecedented, HOLY, and PERFECT GIFT to us!!!
This is a time to reflect upon THE CHURCH, CHRIST JESUS, of whom we are THE BODY, as well as the innate connections, and responsibilities therein! It is a time to assess whether we are acting according to HIS WILL, to measure the increase of our FAITH, and FAITHFULNESS, and to acknowledge the need to ever step into our rightful place in HIM! It is a time of PRAYER, of supplication, of deepened commitment to HIM! It is a time to gather of HIS GLORY, that we SHINE!!!
HAPPY HOLY WEEK, WITH LOVE! BLESS THE LORD, PRAISE HIM ALWAYS, WORSHIP HIS HOLINESS, REJOICE IN HIS LOVE and CARE for us, THANK HIM, BE GRATEFUL, and HONOUR HIM BY increasing in Devotion, diligence, deliberation, righteousness, goodness, and justness, and mercy! HE IS WORTHY of ALL we can muster, look what HE HAS DONE FOR US!!!
REV. LWINSOR © 2014
BIBLICAL, and/or other references marked BOLDLY IN COLOURS
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