Dear Members and Friends of St. John,
During the past month or so our family has celebrated the
birthdays of 2 grandsons, a granddaughter, and, oh yes, my wife, Kathy. With all those important days coming so close
together it led me to the question, “What is the most important day in my life
/ in our lives?” In addition to birthdays,
you might also consider graduations or wedding anniversaries, or other special
occasions. So, “what is the most important day in your life?”
The
Scripture reading for my devotions on Friday, April 7, came from Deuteronomy 5,
as Moses speaks to the children of Israel before they enter The Promised
Land. As you consider what the most
important day or time in your life might be, consider Moses’ somewhat
surprising words in Deurteronomy 5:1-4. “1 Moses summoned all Israel and said: Hear, O
Israel, the decrees and laws I declare in your hearing today. Learn them and be
sure to follow them. 2 The LORD our God made a covenant with us at Horeb. 3 It
was not with our fathers that the
LORD made this covenant, but with us,
with all of us who are alive here today. 4 The
LORD spoke to you face to face out of the fire on the mountain.”
What Moses told the Israelites seems strange. Actually, at Mt. Horeb, or Sinai, in the book
of Exodus, God is speaking to the parents of these people in the book of Deuteronomy. These were not the same people. But,
God is telling them that the Exodus experience has permanent blessings for the
people of God. It is not just the people
who came out of Egypt who were blessed.
ALL God’s people received blessings through the Exodus event. So, God’s words at Horeb, or Sinai, spoke to
ALL His children.
Let’s ask that opening question again. “What is the most
important day in your life?” This week
we have the privilege of observing Holy Week, beginning with Palm Sunday,
including observance of the Last Supper on Maundy Thursday, somberly remembering
the death of Jesus on Good Friday, and finally joyfully climaxing with Jesus’
resurrection on Easter Sunday. These
events were not just for the disciples. I
believe Scripture tells us that what we will observe and experience as we
celebrate Holy Week is the most important event of all time, and the most
important even in our lives.
Some may think of the observance of Holy Week is just
another holiday. But, the historic
events which we celebrate during Holy Week are the center of human
history! Listen to God speak through St.
Paul. 3 For what I received I passed on to
you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the
Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according
to the Scriptures, (1 Corinthians
15:3-4)
You see, what Jesus accomplished during this last week of
His life gives eternal blessings to all who receive God’s grace through faith
in Jesus. Our selfishness and sin separate
us from God and we deserve punishment.
But, Jesus’ death pays the price for our sin and offers us forgiveness
and the righteousness of Jesus. Our pride,
and rebellion, and sin lead to death for everyone. But the resurrection of Jesus defeats death
and guarantees eternal life for all believers.
The events of Calvary, where Jesus died, and the empty tomb, where He
rose, are the most important event in my life and in yours, even if we weren’t
physically there.
What do you do on your birthday? I expect you recognize your birthday or
celebrate it in some way. Perhaps you
celebrate with a party, or a cake, or just by receiving a card. So, if Holy Week is the most important event in our lives, how do you plan to observe this gift
of God which gives eternal life?
A Child of God, Celebrating
the Eternal Gift of God’s Saving Love This Holy Week,
Pastor Rockey
P.S. Please
see a list of worship and celebration opportunities for this Holy Week at St.
John below
P.P.S. Here are some pictures of the celebration
last Sunday as Jamie received her “Lux Christi Award.” https://goo.gl/photos/Jw3g6A5TFReWrp1h9
Also, Here is the slide show, showing pictures of
Jamie, which was shown after worship and during the reception last week. https://goo.gl/photos/7Z1WQoUAU7Uiym4F9
P.P.P.S. Here is an interesting story about St. John
member and elder, John Lee.
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