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Three Days |
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Article by Tom Gilbert — April 2007
The three most sacred days of the Christian liturgical calendar are
upon us. Holy Thursday celebrates the final Passover meal when Jesus gathered
with his disciples prior to his crucifixion. At this meal the Lord has some
very important information to share. The Passover meal was already a special
time of Jewish religious observance. But at this meal Jesus revealed a New
Covenant. He is offering himself up, body and blood. He knows he is about
to undergo a great passion, but he freely offers himself and even more incredibly,
tells his followers we are to eat his flesh and blood to receive the strength
and grace of God.
Here is the birth of the Eucharist. It is not an easy thing
to accept and believe. John’s Gospel records that Jesus
declares he is the bread of life. All who believe in him will
never go hungry or thirsty and the Father’s will is for
all to look to the Son and believe in him to have eternal life
(John 6:35-40)
At the Last Supper of this Passover meal Jesus also showed
us much more of what God is like. God is a loving servant.
I think so many of us forget that. Jesus washed the feet of
his disciples to demonstrate this servant heart.
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Love as a Response to Hate
After the Passover meal Jesus went to pray before his passion,
after which he was arrested, condemned, suffered and was crucified. He
died on Calvary Hill, but he refused to respond with bitterness or hate.
He forgave his executioners and all those who ridiculed him. The religious
leaders and Roman soldiers taunted him. “He saved others; let him
save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.” (Luke 23:35 – NIV).
But the end of the story is not the death of Jesus of Nazareth.
On the Third Day he rose again. God’s power resurrected
the Son of Man – the Son of God.
These three days are important. Any believer will testify
to that. I find it fascinating that so much of God’s
revelation to us comes in threes.
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Threefold Revelations
The Trinitarian nature of God – Father,
Son and Holy Spirit. Our own makeup – body, mind and
soul. The three prime elements of the earth – fire, water,
air. There is the threefold love commandment - love God, love
others and love yourself. Even the cycle of life is three parts.
We are born, we die and we have life after death.
The power of three is weaved all through life. On these three
holy days ask the One who has all power to help you live in
union with Him, yourself and others.
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Scripture taken from the Holy Bible,
NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.Copyright © 1973, 1978,
1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout
the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION® and NIV® are registered trademarks
of International Bible Society. Use of either trademark for
the offering of goods or services requires the prior written
consent of International Bible Society.
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible,
New Living Translation, copyright ©1996. Used by permission
of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, IL 60189, USA. All
rights reserved.
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JOHN 5:13
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"Greater
love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his
friends."
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(NIV)
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