WATCHWORD:
“Jesus said … ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.’” John 11:25–26 Continue reading
Archives: Watchword
A bit of scripture, short meditations and stories, prayers, news and maybe a touch of humor.
Good Friday?
Meditation:
Good Friday?
Friday – All through the night Jesus has been locked in the dungeon of Kishle Prison, the Citadel, Jerusalem. Early this morning he was brought before Pilate who transferred his case to Herod. Herod sent him back to Pilate, who, sometime in the middle morning, bowed to the pressure of the Temple leadership and the crowds, and condemned Jesus to a horrible death by crucifixion. In the late morning, Jesus was taken by the soldiers through the city and up the hillside of Golgotha. By noon, he is nailed to the cross where he hangs in agony for some three hours. He dies around three in the afternoon. Continue reading
Maundy Thursday
WATCHWORD:
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another:
Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. John 13:34 Continue reading
Holy Wednesday
WATCHWORD:
Wednesday of Holy Week. Jesus and many of his disciples had returned to Bethany and were at the home of Simon, a man that Jesus had cured of the leprosy. With him were Mary, Martha and Lazarus. Following a meal, Mary anointed Jesus, which angered Judas, as a waste of costly perfume. The Last Supper was later that day, back in Jerusalem, when Jesus took bread and wine, blessed it and gave it to the disciples, telling them he would die, but would return to life. Judas slips out of the room, and goes to the high priest, Caliphas. Wednesday of Holy week, also referred to as “Spy Wednesday”, the day that Judas betrayed Jesus.
14 Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests 15 and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” So, they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. 16 From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over. Matthew 26:14-16 Continue reading
Via Dolorosa
WATCHWORD:
Via Dolorosa
11 Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied. 12 When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. 13 Then Pilate asked him, “Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?” 14 But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor. 15 Now it was the governor’s custom at the festival to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. Continue reading
Fresh and New
WATCHWORD:
Barabbas replied, “I’ve thought a lot about this since Calvary. That encounter with Jesus transformed me. In a real sense, it killed my old self. I believe that God’s love means Calvary.” (Exerpt from A Life for Barabbas)
“And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull.” Matthew 27:33.
“And then they were come to the place which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.” Luke 23:33 Continue reading
Rejoice Greatly
WATCHWORD:
Call to Worship: We gather separate, isolated, but together, as church, worshiping our Lord. Let us focus our minds, our hearts, and our attention on Him.
Opening Prayer:
Humble and riding on a donkey, we greet you;
Acclaimed by crowds and caroled by children, we greet you;
Moving from the peace of the countryside to the corridors of power, we salute you, our Lord and Savior.
Hosanna! Blessed is He one who comes in the name of the Lord! Amen. Continue reading
Thy Will
WATCHWORD:
God, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from. True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction. Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I’m not afraid when you walk at my side. Your trusty shepherd’s crook makes me feel secure. You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies. You revive my drooping head; my cup brims with blessing. Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life. I’m back home in the house of God for the rest of my life. Psalm 23, Message. Continue reading
If We Had Known
WATCHWORD:
If you had known… in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. Luke 19:42 Continue reading
This Present Crisis
WATCHWORD:
“Thank Me for troublesome situations; the Peace they can produce far out-weighs the trials you endure. (From Jesus Calling for today)
And My God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:19 Continue reading
Cup of Isolation
WATCHWORD:
You leave Jerusalem by the eastern-most gate, the Golden Gate or the Gate of Mercy, and you walk into the Kidron Valley, across the Kidron Stream, and you find yourself in the Garden of Gethsemane. If you listen carefully with your heart you might hear, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet no y will, but yours be done.” Luke 22:42. Continue reading
The Peace of Christ
WATCHWORD:
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15. Continue reading
