Welcome to this text message re-enactment for the events of the Holy Week. Here you can catch up on the messages you may have missed. Please invite others by sharing the registration page at https://lakeshoreward.net/RememberHim
Saturday the 12th
Dearest cousin
I text you with joyous news! The Master has returned to Bethany! You will remember that he had to leave after he raised our brother Lazarus because the Chief Priests and temple rulers sought to kill him. But today he returned and we were able to serve him supper. Mary, in her joy, anointed his head and his feet with spikenard and then she wiped his feet using her hair. The pleasant odor is still in the house (and probably still in Mary’s hair). Many who are gathered in Jerusalem for the Passover have come in the hope of seeing the Master (and Lazarus too). Even the Greeks who have come to worship desire to see him. When Jesus was told about the Greeks he answered that “the hour is come that I should be glorified!” This is all hard to understand but it must mean something so very exciting for him and for us! Some believe that, amongst the crowd gathered for Passover this week, the Master will claim the throne of David that belongs to him. Tomorrow he intends to go into Jerusalem. Join us so you can be with him as he goes.
With all my love, your cousin, Martha
Sunday the 13th
Dear cousin
There are many who know the Master is here. He apparently intends to go back and forth from here to Jerusalem each day during this next week of Passover. Today, some of his disciples obtained for him a donkey and its foal so that Jesus could ride into Jerusalem. They placed their own clothes on its back on which the Master could ride. Others, as if moved in common by the Spirit of God, spread their clothes on the ground before him as he went. Still others lined the road with branches of palm trees. As he passed, they all shouted “Hosanna, Blessed is the King of Israel, that cometh in the name of the Lord!” Who could have foreseen this unplanned event? And who, having been there, could not be moved? Surely wonders are to come.
In peace, your cousin, Martha
Monday the 14th
Dear cousin
I followed Jesus to Jerusalem early this morning. We went to the temple and to the porches where the selling of sacrifices and the exchanging of money takes place. Jesus was angry. He drove out all of those who were buying and selling with their animals and goods. He also tipped over the tables of the money changers. He told them that his father’s house should be a house of prayer for all nations, but they had made it a den of thieves. The temple authorities were outraged and demanded to know the authority by which he purported to clear the temple, but his response unmasked them as hypocrites. Not just the temple authorities, but all of the various sects of our people sent forth their most able to challenge the Master’s teachings during the day. The Pharisees and the Herodians asked him about submitting to Rome, the Sadducees challenged his belief in the resurrection, other Scribes challenged him as to what was the greatest commandment. They asked their questions in the hope of discrediting him, but his answers discredited them. No one can teach like he can. I hope you will be able to join us at least for a while to hear him. Peace to you, my cousin.
Tuesday the 15th
Dear cousin
I was surprised when, after the confrontations of yesterday, Jesus took us back to the temple today. We went directly to the treasury where he sat us down in a place where we could all see those making donations in the collection box. Many contributed; some donations were quite large. After a while, a widow came by and threw in two mites. Jesus then called us to him and said: “this poor widow has given more to God than all the others who have donated, because they donated from their wealth, but she from her poverty donated all that she had, even her very living.” It was such a contrast to what he did yesterday and he must have intended to teach us by it. It had never occurred to me before that the temple is holy to those who make it holy and profane to those who make it profane. Jesus sees so much more accurately than we do. My best love to you.
Wednesday the 16th
Dear cousin
Today I am afraid. I do not have all of the details, but John has a friend who works for the High Priest. That friend told John that the rulers of the people met yesterday to consider what they should do about the threat Jesus poses to their authority. John’s friend could not overhear much of what was said, but he did say that someone he recognized as a follower of Jesus came to that meeting. What does this all mean? The Master is aware of it, but it does not seem to change what he does. He was again in the temple today teaching, and today he challenged the beliefs of some of his own followers. He knows that many of them, knowing his parentage, consider him to be the anointed son of David. But today he asked a question to some of them. “If the anointed one is the son of David, why then does David in the Psalms also address the anointed one as his Lord?” I do not have the answer for this, but I thought it was something for you to think about. With care and concern, your cousin
Martha
Thursday the 17th
Dear cousin
I am told that, yesterday, after leaving the temple, the twelve remarked on its magnificence to Jesus. He then foretold its destruction, and stated he would raise it again in three days. He also foretold in the time to come of great danger for those who believe in him and for the nation of the Jews. It is all so unsure and frightening. Many expected Jesus to go up early to Jerusalem to prepare for the feast tonight at which he has invited all of us to join him; but he has stayed here most of the day. He seems to appreciate the risks that Jerusalem poses for him now. This morning, early, he sent Peter and John to prepare the feast. He gave them secret instructions to follow so they would know how to find the place he has prepared without drawing the attention of those who wish him harm. Be watchful my cousin, especially if you come tonight as you are invited to do. And, if you hear anything that might help Jesus, please let me know.
With admiration and love, your cousin
Martha
Friday the 18th
I text you now to warn you to seek safety as soon as you get this. Alphaeus just came to warn us on his way out of town at this hour of the night. He was with the Master in the Garden when Jesus was taken by soldiers from the High Priest and elders. Alphaeus thinks he saw Judas Iscariot among those taking Jesus, so do not trust Judas. The disciples are all fleeing. Alphaeus is concerned that Peter may have been taken too because he had earlier told Jesus that he would die with him, and he struck one of the servants of the High Priest with a sword. I cannot sleep. Unlike Lazarus or Mary, I will not be recognized so I am headed to Jerusalem to find out where they have taken the Master. I will let you know what I find out. Please be safe.
With prayers for us and our Lord,
Martha
I am at the palace of the High Priest. All is confusion. Jesus was apparently questioned here by the authorities who have condemned him to death for blasphemy. He was reportedly sent from here to the Roman Governor’s. I am on my way there now. As a small grace, some here say they saw Peter and he was not in custody.
I am at the Governor’s palace. Jesus is inside. As you may remember, each year at Passover the Romans release one prisoner to the Jews. Pilate is urging the crowd to call for the release of Jesus. But the temple priests have arranged for their own crowd to be here. They all call for the release of another whom I do not know. All of the Master’s followers have been scattered or scared away. There are only a very few of us here, and we cannot make ourselves heard above the din. Pilate must know Jesus is innocent. Surely, he will use his power to release him.
Martha
I am at Golgotha. They brought Jesus here with a crown of thorns smashed upon his head. He has clearly been mocked because of the belief that he would assume the kingdom of the Jews. I watched the Romans set up his cross between two thieves. But I cannot watch and cannot bear to listen now to his agony as they nail him to it. Certainly, somehow, this son of miracles, who never did anything but good to others, will be himself saved by a miracle from his Heavenly Father. We must hope and pray that it may be so.
Martha
Save yourself, for no one else will. The earth is empty. I am beyond belief anymore in a God who would let this happen. Jesus is now dead. Only a few minutes ago, just before he died, he uttered “My God, My God, Why hast thou forsaken me?” But he received no answer. Not only did God forsake Jesus, He has forsaken us. I know not where to turn in such a brutal, unjust world. They are even now hastily removing the Master’s body so that he can be entombed before the Sabbath begins at sundown. The authorities have refused to allow Mary to anoint him before they do. But she is gathering myrrh and frankincense so that she can anoint him as soon as the Sabbath is over. I have not decided if I can bring myself to join her. But good cousin there may be some small relief to us if we can despair together. Be safe.
Sunday the 20th
Blessed cousin
There is new hope! It clears all darkness and fills my soul with light! So that you, too, may believe, I remind you of what you already know. You are a witness that Lazarus died. You are also a witness that, at the command of the Master, Lazarus rose again and now labors with you daily. As it was with Lazarus, so it is with the Master. Although he was dead, yet HE LIVES! Mary is still overcome with tears of joy and I cannot yet fully understand all that she is saying, but I understand this much: Before light this morning she rose to go to the tomb. When she got there the stone at the entrance had been rolled away. When Peter and John came at her bidding they entered the tomb. They found only the Master’s neatly folded burial clothes. Based on his earlier teachings which they now saw in a different light, hope began to kindle in their hearts. They left to share that hope, but Mary lingered. She looked into the chamber herself and saw two angels sitting where He had lain. She told them she was seeking her Master, and then turned also to ask the gardener where she might find him. But the man was not a gardener. It was the Master whole and alive.
She could not yet touch him because he had not yet gone to God. Apparently, Mary says, unlike Lazarus, the Master was not just re-raised to this life, but to life eternal. This same promise, he says, extends to us through his rising. (Who is this man who has been our Master? I think despite our years with him we do not yet comprehend.) We may, Mary believes, also share a witnesses of his rising before he goes. Won’t you please hasten to join us this morning to hear for yourself? HE IS RISEN. THANK GOD HE IS RISEN.
(( Thank you for joining this Easter celebration. He is risen!
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