Holy Week

Notes from the Pastor…

Holy Week is upon us!  This coming Sunday is Palm Sunday  – the day the Savior showed up!  Following Palm Sunday, the first three days of the week continue in the Lenten spirit of preparation.
Maundy Thursday is the first mid-week special service.  The English word “Maundy”  is derived from the Latin mandatum, the first word of the phrase: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you” (John 13:34).  It is on Maundy Thursday that we recommit ourselves to love our Christian brothers and sisters, and we practice our love by washing one another’s hands and partaking in the one cup of the Lord’s Supper.

Good Friday is the celebration and remembrance of Jesus’ death upon the cross.  It is quite ironic that we title this day as “good”, considering all aspects of the day seem anything but good.  Nevertheless, it is “good” because “He was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins; he was beaten so we could be whole, and by his wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5).  On this most holy of days, we recognize the deep love of God, which is most displayed in Christ’s torture and death, and the deep rebellion of humanity; most displayed in the disciple’s abandonment and the crowd’s condemnation.  In light of these revelations we practice repentance and all who are ill are encouraged to come forward to be anointed with oil.  It is by Jesus’ wounds that we are healed – healed from sickness, despair, emotional pain, and darkened thoughts.

Continuing in the spirit of Good Friday, the Elders of FCC Ruidoso are sponsoring a 24-hour prayer vigil. Anyone can sign up for a 30-minute time slot; committing yourself to pray for the individual, the congregation, the community, and the world.  Please consider making this a part of your Lenten season and Easter weekend.

Traditionally, the celebration of Easter begins at sundown on Saturday.  Jesus is in the grave, but the miraculous is about to ensue.  It is on Easter that we recognize "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?"  (1 Corinthians 15:55)

It is because of Jesus’ resurrection that we have great hope and believe that neither physical death, nor emotional death have the final victory.  This Holy Week, may we prepare for the Easter hope.  May we join in Christ’s love and love one another.  May we seek forgiveness and find faith for healing.  May we pray for resurrection in ourselves and our neighbors.

Grace,
Pastor Ryan