Today is Maundy Thursday. It begins a series of days sometimes called the Triduum which include Good Friday and Easter Sunday. “The big three.”
On Maundy Thursday we remember Jesus’ new commandment to love one another and celebrate the inaugural Lord’s Supper.
On Good Friday we gather at the foot of the cross to ponder and give thanks that Jesus gave his life for ours and paid the price for our sin so that we could be reconciled to God.
On Easter Sunday we praise and celebrate the resurrection of our Lord.
As you read the stories you can discern some recurring themes. One is that things are not always as they seem.
For example, on Maundy Thursday we are surprised when the master washes the servant’s feet. On Good Friday we are surprised not only that a perfect man is murdered, but that someone else’s death could give us life. On Easter Sunday we are surprised that a corpse begins to breathe again, and that Jesus’ resurrection is a foretaste of the new heavens and the new earth which await everyone who is called by his name.
In 2 Corinthians 5:7 Paul writes: “We live by faith, not by sight.” It’s an acknowledgement that for those who follow an almighty God, your eyes only tell a part of the story. God works powerfully, even though we become cynical and short-sighted.
This Holy Week, open yourself to what God might be doing in your life. Be open to surprise. Not only WAS he bringing light out of darkness and life out of death (past tense), but he IS bringing light out of darkness and life out of death (present tense).
Faith is a healthy skepticism about what we see with our eyes in favour of what God has revealed in his Word.
Be open to what the God of grace and truth may be doing in YOUR life.
“We live by faith, not by sight.”
Notes and extra content:
—New Post and Podcast: “Virtue as we enter the new dark ages.” Click here to read or listen, or tune in to ‘The Pulse Podcast with Matthew Ruttan’ wherever you subscribe.
—Here’s what’s happening at Westminster Church this Holy Week.
–Bible quotes are from the NIV.
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