Holy Week

This suffering is all part of the work God has given you. Christ, who suffered for you, is your example. Follow in his steps                                                                                               I Peter 2:21

This is Holy Week my friends, a time that we recall the last week of Jesus on earth (for a time) before his sacrifice on the cross. We are called to be more sober and thoughtful this week, and indeed, we find a suffering and broken world as we consider our state this week.

The people of Ukraine are suffering at the hands of the tyrant Vladimir Putin whose Russian troops continue their aggression. The people of Gaza are starving to death due to a war they did not choose. People around the world face oppression, starvation and suffering because of the decisions of governments that are corrupt and uncaring about their fate.

Here in the United States, political failures leave us baffled as to how we got to this place. All these instances, and so many more, remind us that political solutions will never save us. When the crowds in Jerusalem cried out for their political leaders to crucify Jesus, they were unaware of how profoundly wrong they, and their government, could be.   

The message of Holy Week is that there is power in reliance upon God alone. Even when failure and death seem to carry the day, salvation is right behind it, on Easter.

So friends, we are surrounded by pain, suffering and evil actions, but God is in control. Our hope is in him, not temporal government.

That is the good news.

Prayer: Lord, in you alone we trust for our salvation, Amen