Jeremiah 31:1-6; Colossians 3:1-4; Matthew 28:1-10

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

There’s nothing that makes us feel more special than someone who does something specifically for you. A special gift, a dinner at your favorite restaurant, a card at just the right time. When someone is thinking about us, the effort shows. It’s been this phrase, “For us,” that has echoed throughout our Lenten services as we come to the climax of it all. Because it was for us that Jesus came. Yet, sadly, we must begin with an admission of who we are. We’re the ones who can’t do anything ourselves. We’ve messed it up. We’ve sinned against God and welcomed death and suffering into our world. Jesus had to come for us because we couldn’t do it for ourselves.

But this is why this week is so climatic for us. We come to realize just how much Jesus has done for us. From his triumphal entry to his time in the upper room, Jesus is preparing us to see all that he’s about to do. He’s teaching us about God’s grace and mercy. For it was “on the night when Jesus was betrayed” he gave us the greatest feast—his own body and blood given and shed for us. Jesus knew full well what awaited him this week, but he faced it all for us.

In this Holy Week, let us follow our Lord in his holy passion. Let us see all that he does as we come to realize, it’s all for us. As Isaiah prophecies, “But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed,” Isaiah 53:5. Being arrested and mocked. Being whipped with forty lashes. He’s brought within inches of death to suffer for all we have done. Above all, Jesus is nailed to the cross for our sins. He bears the wounds that were meant for us, that were meant as our punishment for the evil we have done. Jesus gives up his life so that he may satisfy the debt of the world. But Jesus wasn’t done. For on the third day, Jesus would also rise from the dead… for us so we may live with him forever!

Pastor Sorenson

Prayer:

O God, for our redemption You gave Your only-begotten Son to the death of the cross and by His glorious resurrection delivered us from the power of the enemy. Grant that all our sin may be drowned through daily repentance and that day by day we may arise to live before You in righteousness and purity forever; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen!