Tuesday in Holy Week

This morning we gathered in the quiet, chilly, stillness.  On the Tuesday of Holy Week we remember those who were against Jesus–  the religious leaders, the Roman authorities, even his own disciples.  The readings from Isaiah and John reflect a culture of disbelief that was pervasive and has remained to this day.  For Jesus, it didn’t matter what he did–  water to wine, blind to see, dead to life–  most of the people did not believe in him.

John 12:

36 When Jesus had said these things, he departed and hid himself from them.  37 Though he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him,

I guess that is comforting as we think about all those around us who find it hard ‘to accept’ that Jesus was real.  We prayed for friends and family who might be curious about Jesus–  those whom we want to be convinced of the love of God.

The reading from John also invited us, in this Holy Week, to consider whose glory we are seeking.

42 Nevertheless,  many even of the authorities believed in him, but  for fear of the Pharisees they did not  confess it, so that they would not be  put out of the synagogue;  43  for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.

There are so many sublime, simple, and secretive ways that we love the glory that comes from people–  their high opinion of us, their words to us, esteem, privilege, promotion, advancement, one-upmanship, blame shifting, defending, general kowtowing.

I am grateful for this space in Holy Week to seek God about this culture of unbelief and to be real about the power I give others to determine my worth and identity.

Come waste time with us at Restoration this week.