WE ALL JUST SAT THERE

Good Friday to You, 
I remember it as if it were yesterday. Carol Ann and I were sitting in a movie theater in Terre Haute, Indiana with our friends Ryan and Angie. The movie finished, but we all continued to just sit there. Not because we were eagerly awaiting the next Marvel movie trailer hidden in the credits, but because we were awestruck by the gripping portrayal of Jesus’ sacrifice we had just witnessed. As you may have already guessed, we had just finished watching The Passion of The Christ. That was 13 years ago. 
This Sunday is the beginning of Holy Week. This is the week when nearly 2,000 years ago Jesus completed His mission to bring salvation to us! Because of what He finished, we can experience victory over sin and death. The bloody cross and the empty tomb represent life for us! When we truly see the sacrifice Jesus made for us…the Gospel comes alive! 
This Sunday, we are going to attempt to see it! 
You can take a look for yourself by reading the crucifixion account in Luke 23:32-47 
(https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23:32-47&version=ESV). Even better, make plans to read the entire account of Holy Week in one (or all) of the Gospels. In the Gospel of Luke, you will find that final week in 19:28-24:35 (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+19:28-24:35&version=ESV). 
In addition to the physical suffering Jesus faced (spectacularly presented in The Passion of The Christ), Jesus’s spiritual suffering was even more agonizing! He accepted the divine punishment for all of our sins. We will look at Romans 3:19-26 (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+3:19-26&version=ESV) as we seek to get our minds wrapped around the scandalous truth of Jesus receiving the wrath of God we each deserved! When we truly see the sacrifice Jesus made for us…the Gospel comes alive! 
I still remember that day as if it were yesterday, but if I’m not careful, tomorrow I will get so busy doing that I forget what has already been done! Join us for this special week as we choose to remember that which has forever changed the course of humanity! 
Hope to see you Sunday, 
Pastor Michael
P.S. I strongly encourage you watch The Passion of The Christ sometime during Holy Week. Be warned, however, it is graphic and well-deserves its R-rating. For parents, you will need to use appropriate discernment, but when your family is ready, you will likely find it to be the most impacting R-rated movie your family has ever watched together. And, of course, spend some time after it is over discussing it! (Note: Children must also be able to keep up with the movie’s subtitles.)