From Sunday to Friday

I've been thinking about the last week of Jesus' life. It's called the Passion Week or Holy Week. The Gospels begin the story by retelling Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem on Sunday. The crowd was euphoric. They proclaimed Jesus was the Messiah. Centuries of expectation reached culmination and the celebration was high.

Then religion set in. Have you noticed how religion can numb celebration? Slowly, as the week progressed, the excitement gave way to anger. Now, I know that not everyone was excited on Sunday and I suspect not everyone was angry on Friday, but the prevailing attitude of the crowd turned dramatically by the weekend.

The people loved it when Jesus swept in. But the religious leaders took over and swept him right out. They convinced the Roman government to nail him to a cross, in fact. The people had never been more alive on Sunday, but Jesus was dead on Friday.

What happened between Sunday and Friday in Jerusalem happens too often in our lives. Don't let Jesus sweep in and create joy only to later get caught up in the motions so that Jesus is swept out of your life. Religion never fully replaces relationship. Religious activity won't satisfy like a personal walk with Jesus.

Weekly Devotion - April 20, 2012

"I will remember the deeds of the Lord;
yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago."

Psalm 77:11 NIV

I was first introduced to Henry Blackaby in the mid-90s. The Experiencing God Bible study greatly influenced my life. In fact, I believe that a particular church and its pastor, along with Experiencing God and MasterLife, were the catalysts God used to bring me back to my calling to preach and pastor.

One of the most memorable aspects of Blackaby's Bible study was what he said about spiritual markers. Every Christian should be able to look back and see specific times when God was working in their lives in dramatic and memorable ways. Here are a few of my spiritual markers.

I was saved on the first Thursday of August in 1972. I realized I needed Jesus as my Savior during revival services at New Hope Baptist Church in Dardanelle. But I didn't do anything during church. My Dad talked with me at home later that night. I came to saving faith in Jesus that night.

I was called to ministry on the last Thursday of June in 1982. Having just graduated high school, I was attending summer camp as a counselor for the first time. The Lord impressed upon me clearly that I was to be a minister. I wasn't sure what kind, but I knew I would be doing something for the church.

The last Thursday in May of 1992 was the lowest and darkest day I had ever experienced. I walked into an empty house after work that day but I prayed for peace and strength to deal with what was happening. Just like when he calmed the storms, Jesus calmed my life and I am forever thankful.

Asaph was a musician in the temple and wrote some of the Psalms. Psalm 77 is a song of hope. You might not think that when you begin reading. The words show anguish and desperation. But at the halfway point he recalls the spiritual markers in the life of Israel. Pray that God will help you identify spiritual markers and recall them when you need encouragement and strength.