Good Friday, the Friday before Easter, is the Christian day to commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and His death at Calvary. For Christians, Good Friday is important because it celebrates what we believe to be the most momentous weekend in the history of the world. Ever since Jesus died and was raised, Christians have proclaimed the cross and resurrection of Jesus to be the decisive turning point for all creation. On Good Friday, we remember the day Jesus willingly suffered and died by crucifixion as the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of all humanity
Palm Sunday is an important celebration marking Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem. It is a time to rejoice in His arrival and to remember the events that will unfold during Holy Week. It's a reminder of both the joy of His entry and the suffering He would face. Palm Sunday is the stillness before the storm.
In Luke 19 Jesus encounters Zacchaeus, a chief tax collector who is rich and unliked, who climbs a sycamore tree to see Him. Jesus calls him down by name, invites Himself to Zacchaeus's house, and declares that Zacchaeus's salvation has come, emphasizing that the Son of Man came to seek and save the lost. The story of Zacchaeus and Jesus is a powerful illustration of God's grace and his willingness to reach out to even the most unlikely individuals, demonstrating that salvation is available to all who seek it.
In Luke 15, Jesus responds to criticisms about his association with tax collectors and sinners by telling the parable of the lost sheep. Jesus illustrates God's joy and eagerness to seek and save those who are lost, emphasizing that there is more rejoicing in heaven over one repentant sinner than over ninety-nine righteous people.
Rest and growth are discussed on our 40 day Lenten journey to the cross. Our prayer is that everyone will repent from sin and find truth, rest and growth in Christ's salvation.
The Beatitudes are a set of teachings delivered by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount which outlines blessings and qualities valued in the Kingdom of Heaven. Christ describes blessings in the here and now, and not in the future. Think of them as not rewards, but a "gift" that God gives believers.
Luke 9 depicts Christ's unwavering commitment to His mission and the cost of discipleship, highlighting the need for complete dedication and a refusal to look back, even in the face of adversity or personal attachments. Three scenarios are presented where people express a desire to follow Jesus but they are met with a call for complete commitment. This emphasizes that discipleship demands self-denial and a willingness to prioritize God's kingdom above all else.
Love your enemies. What a strong lesson we learn from Joseph as he endured persecution from his family. Godly love is very different from the selfish, self-seeking human love of the natural man. Look to Luke Chapter 6 for encouragement if you are struggling with loving difficult people.
Luke Chapter 5 explains the recruitment of Jesus' first disciples and His teaching and healing ministry. Jesus' word to Simon Peter is also a word to us: “Do not be afraid.” This is Christ's mission. We trust that He will keep working with us and through us, “catching” others as He has caught us in the deep, wide net of God's mercy and love. Melville Church has been through many changes in 173 years, and our goal is to be "not afraid" and let God work in and through us.
Luke 4 describes Jesus' first public proclamation of His ministry, where He reads from Isaiah in the synagogue, declaring that He is fulfilling the prophecy of bringing good news to the poor, release to captives, sight to the blind, and freedom to the oppressed. Revelation 21 depicts a vision of the "New Jerusalem," a heavenly city representing the ultimate state of perfection and renewal after the end of the world, where there will be no more death, mourning, or pain, signifying a complete eradication of suffering and evil. PWS&D participants seek to follow these steps by caring for the needy.