Celebrating Holy Week

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. – 2 Corinthians 5:21

The TORAH, or First five books of the Bible, graphically describe the creation and the sinful fall of mankind; as well as the enduring love and grace of the self-revealed God of all creation. It tells of a promise given to a pagan herdsman, who God renamed Abraham, that his seed would bless all nations and bring salvation to mankind.

It tells of the deliverance of a people in bondage, a law written in stone, and a special tent in the middle of an encampment—where God would dwell with His people. It speaks of substitutionary sacrifice through the blood of animals and ceremonial cleansing to obtain right standing with God.

Even still, we read throughout the rest of the Hebrew Scriptures that the earthly tabernacle was no more than a band-aid to hide the cancer of sin that separated mankind from our creator. The world was still lost in darkness and held captive to the bondage of sin and death.

However in just 6 hours one Friday, Christ Jesus accomplish what could not be accomplished in over 1400 years with an army of priests covered in the crimson sin of a nation and a river of blood flowing from an altar of ceremonial sacrifice. The shedding of Christ’s blood, the perfect sacrifice, is the only power to wash us clean and present us spotless before a Holy God.

Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They will be like wool. – Isaiah 1:18

His death was the once-and-for-all sin sacrifice that brought mankind full forgiveness and freedom from the bondage of sin; and his resurrection is our future hope and our freedom from the bondage of death. In His death, he offers us newness of life.

So, this is why we celebrate this season of Holy Week. That nearly 2000 years ago, Christ made a way for you and for me to have right standing before God. We hope you enjoy this week’s Empowering Word, as we focus on the “Curse and Blessing of the Cross.”

For all who call upon His name will be saved; and all who believe in him will not perish, but have eternal life!

In Christ,
Pastor Ken