As I was led to do a blog about Holy Week.  I will continue to post this introduction…

Most churches have had to scale down their usual services and even close their doors because with COVID 19 creating physical distance from one another; we are not permitted to gather together.  It is important during this time that we remember we all have a personal relationship with God and our continued worship, prayer and time with God should not decrease nor stop because of this.  You are responsible to keep connected.  You are responsible for your prayer time with God.  You are responsible for your worship.  The church building should not keep you from that.  Philippians 2:12 says “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”  You are responsible to seek God out yourself.  We usually hear an abbreviated version of the story of Holy Week leading up to Resurrection Sunday or some call Easter, but let’s read it and know for ourselves.  Know about the sacrifice, the pain, the beatings, the determination, the love that Jesus had for us and what he went through to save us from sin!

Read with me today… Luke 20:41 – 47 & Luke 22:1-6

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I’ve heard that this day is called, Spy Wednesday.

The religious leaders, chief priests and the scribes are plotting to kill Jesus.  They do not like that Jesus has the people believing that he is the Messiah and comes in the name of God.  The problem is they can not openly kill him because they fear the people who follow Jesus. Satan is always trying to undo what Jesus does and he is able to do that using  Judas.  He goes to the religious leaders with a plan to betray Jesus away and it is away from the multitude.  There is thought that Judas wanted Jesus to show them who He was and His power.  Show the people who you are, prove it to them.  But Jesus knew that was not the way to do it.  He knew his assignment and had to obey the instructions from God.  Let us be mindful that we don’t try to manipulate a situation because we want it done our way.  Trust God’s timing and trust that God knows how to handle any situation.  Don’t try to go in front of Him and make things happen.  Let God make it happen.

This moment of betrayal also reminds me to always be mindful that satan can and will use anyone.  Some allow him access knowingly and others unknowingly.   Those who allow him to use them knowingly love evil.  And those who allow him unknowingly, I believe have an opening somewhere that satan was able to get in.  An opening meaning, there was doubt, bitterness, unforgiveness, hate  aleady there that satan was able to use.  But please know that satan will use whatever means he can to create chaos, division and discord.  It is our job as Believers to be able to identify how satan moves so we can stop him in his tracks.  2 Corinthians 2:11 says lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.

Look out for the next blog on Hoy Thursday….