April 8, 2020
Holy Week- Day Four

Good Morning brothers and sisters in Christ,

To many bible scholars this is known as a day of rest. The bible has very little to say about what happen during this time frame. However, there are a few verses that will give us some direction regarding with took place on day four of Holy Week.

While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head. Mark 14:3 (NIV)

After three long and grueling days of ministry Jesus takes a break. Most scholars believe that on this day Jesus spent the day with his closest friends resting and preparing to celebrate Passover with his disciples. As we study scriptures in is clear that Jesus often went to a solitary place to pray.

After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Matt 14:23 (NIV)

It was not uncommon for Jesus to rest and recharge for the days ahead. Knowing the events that would take place, Jesus would indeed want to prepare himself for the emotional and physical agony he was about to face. I believe this is a lesson well learned by you and I. During Holy week this year why don’t we follow the example of Jesus by taking some time to pray and reflect on the passion of our lord Jesus.

Behind the scenes the Chief Priest and Elders were busy.

Then the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, and they plotted to arrest Jesus in some sly way and kill him. “But not during the Feast,” they said, “or there may be a riot among the people.” Matt 26:3-5 (NIV)

Now the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread were only two days away, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some sly way to arrest Jesus and kill him. “But not during the Feast,” they said, “or the people may riot.” Mark 14:1-2 (NIV)

The events of the previous three days were very disturbing to the religious leaders causing fear to rise in their hearts. They witnessed the crowds shouting “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”

Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves.

The children were worshiping and praising Jesus.

Jesus said woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites!

The religious leaders were fearful of losing their social standing and porous in the community. They were also fearful of what the Romans would do if a riot broke out. These fears and many more led them to spend the next two days plotting and planning ways to arrest and eventually kill Jesus.

May the grace and mercy of our Lord Jesus be with you today.

Pastor Dennis