I have to comment about what I have been learning lately. The church we've been attending has been doing a special series during lent on the "24 hours that changed the world" focusing on Jesus' final 24 hours before his crucifixion. The pastor is trying to dig deep into every word that Jesus speaks and every move he makes. Her focus has been on the idea that if any of us knew when and how we were going to die that everything we would do would be so intentional and have so much meaning.
I have learned so much in the past weeks about Passover, the Garden of Gethsemane, and the trial (or lack thereof) of Jesus before the High Priests and Pilate. The part of the scripture that has stuck with me the most so far is the Garden of Gethsemane and how Jesus prays for there to be another way. In the end he surrenders his heart and his will to God- for the first time in my life I have a true foundation and understanding for the saying "let Your will be done." It is so powerful and fills me with faith, God is in control. His work can only be done through me not by me.
Another part that has lingered in my thoughts throughout the past days is the fact that Barrabas was freed and in his place Jesus was killed. The pastor did an unbelievable job of setting up the story and making sure we all felt and understood how much Barrabas was given- freedom, life, choice........and that Jesus died for his sins. Our sins. Jesus died to save me.
Each week the church's readings have been coming from the book of Mark so today I got back into reading in Matthew and I'm almost to Passover so it's nice to read it with new eyes from what I've been learning. On a discouraging note, I found out today that the pastor that we LOVE at this church is leaving and moving upwards:( This feels like such a setback to me because she is so educational and gives a lot of detail and history and follows the scripture in a style that I love. I am going to hope and pray that this church body can find another as effective as her, at spreading God's word.
