The End and the Beginning

Monday, March 26, 2018

Mark 14:22-25: And as they were eating, He took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them and said, "Take, this is my body." And He took a cup, and when He had given thanks He gave it to the, and they all drank of it. And He said to them, "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that  day when I drink it new int eh kingdom of God."
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Three years of walking, teaching, leading, healing, miracling (I just created a word), and raising people from the dead. All of what Jesus did and came to do is coming to its' conclusion. 

Or it is the conclusion? Yesterday was Palm Sunday. We celebrated the arrival of Jesus into Jerusalem to the sounds of, "Hosanna, blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!" Thursday is the celebration of Jesus' last Passover which He turned into the Lord's Supper. Friday, Jesus will go to the cross to the shouts of, "CRUCIFY HIM!" Then the words, "It is finished." Sounds like the conclusion to me.

It is the end AND it is the beginning. It was the end of Jesus' ministry and mission. Jesus accomplished something that no man would do. Jesus was, and is, the ONE TIME sacrifice for all sins of all people of every age. He gave up His body and shed His blood so that we are forgiven. It is the beginning of OUR lives who live in the forgiveness that Jesus gave and the new life that rose with Him on Easter. 

So as we work our way through Holy Week, remember that the end is coming AND the beginning of our lives as disciples will begin anew. Dear God, lead us through Holy Week and guide to remember and relive what Jesus faced for us, Amen.