CALLING CARDS FROM THE DISTRICT MODERATOR

Bill Williams 

Holy week. From Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday. A time when we should reflect on the mountaintop highs and the valley lows of Jesus and his disciples. 

Jesus stopped in Bethany at Lazarus’s home the day before riding the colt to enter Jerusalem. Jesus’ feet were anointed with the oil that was meant for his burial. Judas said it should have been sold and the money given to the poor. He really thought the money should have been used to line his pockets for personal gain. 

On Monday, Jesus went into the synagogue and saw it being used as a bank: Money being exchanged for the purchase of sacrifices for Passover. Jesus showed a side of his temperament that you rarely see, his arms being used as shovels. Tables of money flew everywhere in frustration. In Matthew 21: 13, Jesus says: “My house shall be called a house of prayer, but you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’” After calming himself, the blind and lame came to him, and he healed them. After Jesus talked to the chief priests and scribes, He went back to Bethany to lodge for the night. 

On Tuesday, Jesus was back in the synagogue teaching and stumping the chief priests and elders on the question, ‘By what authority are you doing these things?’ (Matt 21: 23). Jesu asked them a question that they couldn’t or wouldn’t answer, and Jesus did not directly answer them. 

Wednesday is a tough day. Scripture tells nothing of what Jesus did. He may have stayed in Bethany, come back to the synagogue or went somewhere to pray. Nothing is written. 

Thursday we know of the Passover meal and the teaching of the meaning of communion and foot washing to the disciples. Judas leaves the table to receive his potter’s field money for the betrayal of Jesus to the soldiers. On maps we see the paths taken around Jerusalem for Jesus’ trial and beating. The same people that cried, “Glory to Hosanna in the highest” on Sunday are saying “crucify him” on Thursday/Friday, Peter denying he knew Jesus 3 times. 

Friday. The crucifixion of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The forgiveness that Jesus asked for. ‘Forgive them, they do not know what they do’. The forgiveness of one thief, but not the other. His burial in Joseph’s tomb. Guards stand watch. 

Saturday. With Jesus in the tomb, nothing is said of what happens. 

Easter Sunday. Mary goes to the tomb to prepare Jesus’ body according to Jewish law. We all know that on that glorious morning, the stone was rolled away, a gardener talked to Mary, and eventually Jesus ascends to be at the right hand of God. 

My research for this article came from the greatest book ever written: the Bible. The rest came from a book by Max Lucado called And the Angles were Silent. Part of what I learned from this reading was that Jesus showed his human side: Along with tenderness and his willingness to teach others, he can get angry and show a rough side. In the end, Jesus showed compassion and forgiveness to those who showed repentance and to those who showed nothing. 

During this time, be willing to teach, slow to anger, and to listen before speaking. 

Blessings to all. 

Bill Williams
IL/WI District Moderator