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BREAD FOR THE JOURNEY BLOG@ Rhythms of Grace: a Journey into RestSustenance for the journey into rest and peace
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NEW SERIES: MEDITATIONS FOR THE EASTER SEASON  This Sunday brings the start of Holy Week, when many in the Christian world remember the events leading up to Jesus’ death and resurrection, starting with His arrival in Jerusalem on a donkey. For those searching for peace, this is a really important story. For those who want an end to inner turmoil and unrest, this event spells hope. Jesus’ contemporaries longed for solutions to their daily struggles, subjugated as they were to Roman domination, and many hoped for a Messiah who would lead them to military victory against their overlords. However, when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, He was making a clear declaration that He had a different purpose in mind. In biblical times, when a king rode into a community on a donkey, it meant he was coming in peace, not war. So here was Jesus (whose name means ‘God saves’), the Prince of Peace, riding into Jerusalem which means ‘city of peace’, on a donkey, the symbol of peace! The words of Zechariah’s prophecy would have been ringing in the ears of the discerning: Rejoice greatly, Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. I will take away the chariots from Ephraim and the warhorses from Jerusalem, and the battle bow will be broken. He will proclaim peace to the nations. His rule will extend from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth. [Zechariah 9:9,10] And maybe some even remembered the words of Isaiah 9: For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this. [Isaiah 9:6,7] RECEIVING THE PEACE OF CHRIST  The peace of Christ wasn’t to be purchased through an earthly battle, the overthrow of the oppressors, His victory would be over the principalities and powers of darkness that stand behind human conflict and turmoil, a victory that would be purchased through the shedding of His blood. This entrance into Jerusalem was the public announcement that the ultimate battle for peace was due to commence. And it wasn’t just about dealing with conflict, the Greek and Hebrew words for peace also contain the meaning of completeness, safety, contentment, wholeness, prosperity, health and wellbeing. The Lord was coming to His people offering salvation in its widest sense. What a tragedy that so many missed the point, and didn't recognise that the longed-for answer to their problems, was actually riding through their gates; and that others gave Him lip-service, but didn't actually avail themselves of what He was carrying. His words to Jerusalem, strike at our hearts too, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!” [Matthew 23:37]. The challenge to us is that Jesus, the same yesterday, today and forever, still comes to us offering peace in its fullness. Let’s be people who respond, and press in to receive from Him all that He died to give us, people who avail ourselves of the riches purchased on the Cross. THIS WEEK’S GRACE RHYTHM
3) Using all your senses, allow yourself to take part in the scene. What can you hear, see, smell etc? How does it all make you feel? Participate, but don’t step back to analyse.
4) Respond to Jesus. Try it with the story of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem (click on the link below), perhaps reading it in several versions: Matthew 21:1-17 and receive His peace… RESOURCES:
NEXT WEEK: 2. MIGHTY IS THE POWER OF THE CROSS The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God... GET IN TOUCH...
Please note: I am being inundated with requests to promote people's books (all using exactly the same computer-generated query letter). As I have an extremely limited amount of time at my disposal, I am unable to commit myself to reading and promoting any of these at present, but trust that our Father will bless every Spirit-inspired project. [Photo credits: Brady Leavell (procession) @ Unsplash, with thanks]
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