This is holy week the greatest week of all for Christians. There is a solidarity with Christians all around the world as we focus on our Lord and Savior. Palm Sunday Jesus triumphantly rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, and people pulled palms of the trees to greet him. Today was a wonderful day in church as I passed out the palms people were amazed that they got full size beautiful palms. Some said they had been Catholic and only got one leaf that was usually dried up, it was a wonderful time talking about the different palms we have gotten over the years. I encouraged my congregation to meditate on a prayer that I gave them. Each day a new paragraph. For I believe that Holy week is a time for new beginnings. How does Holy Week affect your relationship with Christ?

-- Anonymous, April 08, 2001

Answers

Dear Rev. Rogers,

I heard a sermon this past Sunday that gave me a new perspective on the crucifixion of Jesus. The minister said that Jesus the sinless lamb of God took on all the sins of the past, present, and future of mankind when he died on the cross. The minister went on to say that the suffering that God allowed his only Son to endure between two thieves on the cross shows just how much God hates sin. The minister also talked about the Gethsemane experience of Jesus and how he prayed that this bitter cup would past him but eventually, Jesus said "not my will but thy will be done". As a christian, I feel that this is our greatest challenge to come to an understanding of "not my will but God's will". The minister also pointed out that one of the thieves humbled himself and asked Jesus to remember him while the other did not. I have often wondered why the other thief at the point of death did not humble himself and ask Jesus to save him. There are just so many themes leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus. The minister also pointed out that when Jesus took on the sins of mankind that there was a separation between God and Jesus for a time. Hence the words, Eli Eli lama sabacthani. However, he pointed that these were not the last words of Jesus or else that would have indicated defeat. Instead, Jesus showed us the victory by saying " It is finished". I think that the title of this minister's sermon was the THE GREATEST MOMENT IN HISTORY. This sermon makes me wonder about the things that I can't possible understand which happened on a spiritual level between God and Jesus during the crucifixion.

JazzMan

-- Anonymous, April 10, 2001

This has been a wonderful week. Last Saturday my third grandson was born and this week the family is staying with me for a spell. In our Bible Study we talked about this Easter Season. My Pastor brought out many things, but one of the things that stirred my spirit was Simeon who help to bear the cross of Jesus. He didn't just help bear a cross, but a blood stained cross. PRAISE GOD CAN YOU FEEL WHAT I FEEL. Jesus walking on this earth, no matter how human, couldn't lay down his devinity. Oh the healing that must have been in that spotless blood.

I also thought of the thief whose heart was touched by Jesus. And I can just picture Jesus saying "this day will you be with me in paradise" and as he turns his head drops of blood begin to touch that malfactor and he becomes whole. Truly he was our first person saved by the precious blood of Jesus.

These are just my personal thoughts, that have filled my heart this Holy Week.

May each of you have a blessed Resurrection Day.

In Christ, Carmen

-- Anonymous, April 13, 2001