Prepare for Holy Week

HeArer's Guide to the Passion

Over the next week, we will hear read in worship the story of Jesus' last supper with his disciples, his agony and betrayal in the garden, his trial and condemnation, his crucifixion, death and burial, and then his resurrection from the dead. We call this story, the Passion of our Lord because it speaks of Jesus' suffering and death for us. This story is also called the Message of the Cross. This story is central to faith and life, and it is the power of God for salvation for all who believe. In one way or another, all Christian preaching and action flows from the message of the cross, but this time of year we tend to let this story, as we find it in Holy Scripture, simply speak to us directly -- in passion reading, song and liturgical action.

As we prepare to enter into the mystery of faith, here are some things you can keep in mind as you hear again for yourself the wonderful story of God's love and grace in Jesus Christ. You can read the story for yourself in Mark 11-16.

• The cross is God’s chosen and intentional way of redeeming us as God’s beloved children.
• The message of the cross proclaims Jesus Christ as the way to salvation for the whole world.
• It is not our failing or our worst that call for Jesus’ crucifixion, but our best; not our weakness, but our strength.
• Pay special attention to how religion and power (Empire) conspire to drive away  God with us, using its ultimate weapon -- death.

So what does this mean for us?

• Saved by grace through faith — means that God and Christ has done all that is needed to free us from the powers of sin and death … so life is faith in God through Jesus Christ.
• As we live from the cross, we look to align our thoughts and actions with the love of God in Christ Jesus.
  • Faith: Trust in God and in God’s own methods and God’s own means
  • Grace … Generosity: Salvation is all God’s doing … it is not ours by our own works, by receiving a gift
  • Hope: Stronger than death … and our actions.
  • Love:The message of the cross reveals God love for us
  • Obedience: Faithful obedience leads us to accept suffering in hope … even as we work to alleviate suffering in others and in the world.​