Shepastor: “The Deadliest Week…”

And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said unto his disciples,
2 Ye know that after two days is the feast of the Passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified.
3 Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas,
4 And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him. Matthew 26: 1-14, KJV

We have been cautioned by health professionals that the week of April 6th – 11th 2020 may be the “deadliest week” so far in the United States. This ominous designation is directly related to the number of anticipated deaths our nation will endure because of the Coronavirus pandemic. Governors and health professionals are urging people to stay home as much as possible, particularly this week when the pandemic is thought to be at its height.

To date, over 10,000 lives in America have been snuffed out due to COVID-19. The “Death Angel” is sweeping across the land. For the Christian community, we remember this week as Holy Week…another “deadly week” that will “forever live in infamy.” For it is during this week that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ conquered Death, Hell and the Grave! At the beginning of the week Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, palms waving and adoring crowds shouting “Hosanna, blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” By the end of the week he was struggling to carry a heavy, splintered cross, on his whipped, bloody, flesh torn back down the Via Dolorosa… crowds jeering and chanting, “Crucify him!”

Betrayal, denial, abandonment and separation…cruel mocking, inhumane beatings, excruciating, unimaginable suffering, condemnation as a criminal, death on a cross. These are the markers that were placed down during this deadly week for our Lord. Jesus endured all of this for us…for our salvation…for our redemption…for our restoration…for our healing…for our deliverance…for our peace…for our victory!

Friday, we mourn, but Sunday is coming! Do this week, in remembrance of Him!

In Faith, Hope and Perseverance,
Pastor Chris
www.shepastorchris.org