PREACHER’S NOTE 10 APRIL 2022
A Personal Easter Journey
Many weeks ago, Jesus turned his face towards Jerusalem,
and started the journey. Now, he looks down from
the Mount of Olives at the place at the heart of his homeland,
and weeps. Their vulnerability underlying their arrogance
touches him deeply. He picks his way down the
hill to start the week – a week where he will be heralded
into the city as a conquering Saviour by expectant
crowds, where he will confront the corruption in the temple,
be tested by the keepers of religious law, have plots
against his life, be betrayed by a close friend, be found
guilty in an unjust trial fraught with politics, be rejected by
those same crowds, and finally be killed in the most brutal
way imaginable. And all through that, He will show only
gentleness in healing and teaching, show his servant
heart, pray for us in spite of very human pain and fear,
and somehow find the courage to complete the journey.
As I reflect on that journey, I see a similar one unfolding
for me personally. I’m sure Jesus looks at my heart’s condition
and the ways I try to compensate, and is sad. I
know He has similar challenges in engaging with me: the
evil in my ways, the testing I do of His word and wisdom,
the manipulation I try to get Him to do my will, my rebellion
and betrayal, and my part in his death, daily. He has
to journey with me in much the same way as he did in
that Holy Week so long ago.
As I stand at the beginning of this week, waving my palm
branch, I wonder: what will it take for my ever-patient
Saviour to once again get me to a place of surrender, to
die to self, to accept His love, and find a place of joy,
freedom and peace at His side? I start the journey knowing
that He’s done it before, and I so need it again. Thank
you Lord.
Blessings,
Andrew.