Pastor Stephen Dedman

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Holy Thursday

Encouragement

Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: ‘I will strike the Shepherd, And the sheep will be scattered.’”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭14‬:‭27‬

Thursday of Holy Week was Jesus’ last day to be with His disciples. He observes the Passover meal, washes the feet of the disciples and then goes out to the garden to pray.

The loneliness of Jesus must be considered. He was with His disciples everyday and loved them very much. He spent time explaining deep things so they would understand.

Thursday night as Jesus was arrested and taken away He was removed from those closest to Him. Jesus had so much time invested into making sure they would continue the work He started.

The disciples were hiding because of fear of the Jews. They didn’t want to be arrested like Jesus. So they left and Jesus was alone.

Loneliness is a form of suffering. It is not good for man to be alone. God intended for us to have fellowship with others and to have close relationships.

Just before Jesus was arrested He spent quality time with disciples eating and singing together. The disciples had no clue of what was to happen the next day.

It is important that we build relationships with people for the sake of glorifying God. We are to be encouragers and we are to be encouraged as well. Relationships that are healthy make for a great blessing.

Who do you have in your life today that you can encourage? Maybe just being with that person is a blessing. Cherish the relationships you have.

Pray

Lord, I know You love me and have given me what I need the most. Thank You for loving me with an everlasting love. Help me to love others with the same love.

Holy Wednesday

Encouragement

Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?” And they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver.
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭26‬:‭14‬-‭15‬

After a long day of teaching and speaking in the temple on Tuesday, Jesus must have rested on Wednesday. Each evening He and the disciples journeyed to Bethany.

There is not much Scripture referring to events on Wednesday except the fact that Judas conspired with the chief priests and sought opportunity to turn Jesus in to the authorities.

Judas was used by Satan to betray Jesus and he paid the price for it. We know that after Judas did what he did, he went outside the city and hung himself.

Satan still tries to use people to do his work. We must be careful that we are not led astray by Satan. Even the smallest opportunity Satan can get he will try to get you to do evil things. We all must be aware.

We can overcome the devil and his evil schemes by staying rooted and established in a close walk with the Lord. However, we must always be on guard. Satan will seek and devour when we least expect it.

We have the power to overcome the devil and any temptation we face. In the name of Jesus we have all authority to rebuke Satan and temptation. Just call on the name of Jesus.

Pray

Lord, I call on You to guide and protect me today. Keep me from evil and give me strength to overcome the devil. I seek righteousness and holiness today.

Holy Tuesday

Encouragement

Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans. So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭12‬:‭42‬-‭44‬

Tuesday was a long day for Jesus. It began with the disciples noticing the Fig tree being dead. They understood the power He had over nature.

After cleansing the temple on Monday Jesus was able to sit and talk with those inside. Many chapters of the gospels account for Tuesday of Passion Week. Jesus spoke many parables, gave the 7 “woes” directed toward the Pharisees, and taught about the kingdom of heaven.

Part of Tuesday’s teaching, Jesus sat and watched how people were giving their money. He noticed the rich putting in according to their abundance but also noticed the widow give all she had. Jesus said she put in more.

Obviously Jesus wasn’t referring to the amount of money she gave but rather He noticed how she gave. The rich give wanting to be noticed but this poor widow gave with faith in God. She trusted God would provide for her.

Widows were not always taken care of by the religious leaders. They would take advantage of them. But this special widow was proof that she put her trust in God.

What does your giving, tithing, or offerings speak about you? Your generosity reflects your view of God. If you fully trust that God will provide then you will have no issues of giving unto the Lord with a cheerful heart.

Pray

Lord, help me to trust You in all circumstances. Teach me to be generous and to look out for the needs of others instead of storing treasures here in earth.