“24 hrs. That Changed the World”

Jesus “gave his life to redeem and save the human race from the brokenness and sin that have left us alienated from God and from one another.”

This is what Jesus did. This is why Jesus came. 

This is why Jesus left all the “comforts of home,” (Heaven), and lived on earth for 33 yrs., and then died on the cross for all of us.

The opening words to this message are from Adam Hamilton’s powerful little devotional book entitled “24 hrs. That Changed the World.”

He says that “this is the most tragic, moving, and powerful story ever told.” I agree. He also hopes that our reading and meditating on this story will reveal to us things about Jesus, the Father “he sought to serve,” and about us.

There is so much in this book that comes from The Book, (the Bible) that inspires, comforts, gently corrects, encourages, and teaches us about Christ, our Heavenly Father, the Holy Spirit, and ourselves.

Did you know that at that Last Supper, Jesus didn’t just command the disciples (and us) to “remember him by means of a meal of bread and wine;” but also to “serve one another,” “abide in Him,” and “love one another.” (Luke 22:19, John 15.) As Jesus prepared to leave his disciples, he called them to “abide in me.” He used the metaphor of the grapevine and its branches to describe what he was asking of them – and of us. We are to remain connected to Jesus even if we cannot physically see him. We are to draw strength and spiritual nourishment from our relationship with him. We are to do this through prayer, meditation, worship, and the study of his life and teachings as found in the Scripture and through talking about him with others.

I pray that as we bring to close a 40-day period of spiritual journeying (Lent), and approach Holy Week with deeper contemplation, and then celebrate the glorious event of Easter with great joy… we can join in the prayer at the end of this book: “Jesus Christ, I put my trust in you. Forgive my sins. Wash me clean, and make me new. Thank you for the hope I find in you and for helping me see the love of God. I wish to live as your disciple. Help me to follow you.”

With the deep love of Christ and His (resurrection-power) joy! 

Pastor Bec.