The Day of Preparation

Today’s Reading: John 19:13-14a (NIV)

13 When Pilate heard this, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judge’s seat at a place known as the Stone Pavement (which in Aramaic is Gabbatha). 14 It was the day of Preparation of Passover Week, about the sixth hour.

Good morning!

Holiday gatherings are busy times. If you’ve ever hosted your family and friends for a Thanksgiving dinner, then you might imagine the flurry of activity happening in Jerusalem that day. The Passover had finally arrived – a holy day of remembrance, when God saved His people from death by the blood of the Lamb. Families had gathered; the women were working to prepare the Passover meal; sweeping their homes, and setting the dinner table. Children were playing outside, so very excited for the evening celebration to begin. And on this morning, Pilate sat down on the judge’s seat, rendering sentence over Jesus of Nazareth.

It is no mere coincidence that seven hundred and eighty years prior to this day, the prophet Isaiah stood in the city streets telling people how the Savior of the world would shed His blood for all people everywhere. The holy Lamb of God stood before the judgment seat, and the people were way too busy to recognize the King.

Our daily business often gets in the way of the things that are truly important. Impatient people were waiting for a verdict. They wanted the man from Nazareth Night was coming and many preparations had to be completed before the sun set over the city gates. The people were remembering how God had saved them from slavery. Did they know that God had come today to save them from their sins? That morning at Antonia’s tower, did they even care? crucified so they could get on with the busyness of this day.

Take time today to recognize what is truly important; let your daily routine go and stop to see your salvation! Jesus died to set us free; free from the sins that hold us captive; free from living a life in total separation from our Heavenly Father. Jesus lives! Isn’t that worth more than anything else you have to accomplish on a day like today? He is alive and well and waiting for you to see Him for who He truly is. Come to church this weekend and make time to thank the Lord.

Don’t miss out on the miracle.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

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© Copyright 2009, Deb Spaulding

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