His hour has come! Throughout Lent we have been walking through the book of John listening in on Jesus' words as he moves throughout his public ministry. Time and time again, Jesus keeps referring to his hour. In doing so, he was referring to the purpose and mission he was fulfilling.

As we read through the narratives of John we become quickly struck by the miracles Jesus performed, the way he engaged with people, and the authority in his teachings. We can easily become so focused with what Jesus did and not stop and consider why Jesus did what he did. It seems even Jesus' family and his disciples were constantly trying to figure out and even direct Jesus in what he should do. Regardless of wether their intentions were amicable or hostile, whenever anyone attempted to direct the path Jesus would take he quickly reminded them he had other plans. He had purpose and mission that would not merely change the trajectory of the Jewish people of the day, when his hour would come to fruition it would impact every person who would ever live.

During Holy Week, we take a focused look into the hour of Jesus. We take a close look at Jesus' journey from his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, through the agony in the Garden of Gethsemene, through his suffering and death on the cross, to the victory of the Resurrection. Be careful, though, it is very easy to go through Holy Week merely hearing again what Jesus did and miss why he did what he did.

Theologian, Thomas Oden, puts it simply when he says, "God's holiness made a penalty for sin necessary. God's love endured that penalty for the transgressor and made payment of the penalty possible". Humanity rejected the glory of God and rebelled. We call that sin. God would no longer be holy and just if he simply ignored our sin. Instead, Jesus who was fully divine and became fully human bore the penalty for our sin, defeated death, and gave all who would believe in him the gift of reconciliation and eternal life. This was the "why" behind everything Jesus did. His love for us was so great there was nothing that could prevent him from fulfilling this mission and purpose.

In order to make sure you fully engage the purpose of Holy Week this week I have two suggestions:

Attend virtually or in-person all of the worship services this week. Let this have the highest priority for you during Holy Week.
Read along with me the narratives surrounding the events of Holy Week. I will have a devotion Facebook Live Monday through Thursday at noon and at 3:00 on Friday afternoon. The texts for each day are listed below.

Make sure you let the coming week before Easter Sunday truly be a Holy Week for you open yourself more fully to the love of Jesus for you.

Grace and Peace,

Andy Rambo

Passion Week Reading Plan

Sunday John 12:12–19
Monday John 18:1–14
Tuesday John 18:15–24
Wednesday John 18:25–32
Thursday John 18:33–19:16
Friday John 19:17–30
Saturday John 19:31–42
Sunday John 20:1–31