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Peacefully Lamenting, 09APR

I PRAY PEACE in the unknowns, focusing on the KNOWNS. Jesus knows.

Holy Thursday is a reflective time to understand peaceful lamentation, a sadness and sorrow that is allowed and understood by Jesus.  We say to not worry, to give up our burdens to Jesus, but we humans are human and ache thru lamentations of anger, unease, tears,  remorse, deep pain. Jesus did too.

JESUS KNOWS these current uneasy times. He knew them throughout our many troubled times.  He knows families are separated and have unknowns of when and if ever seeing each other again. JESUS KNOWS. God stepped off the throne to bring His children home. Jesus knows long time:  Jesus said REMEMBER ME, “I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” Matthew 26:29

Jesus and we can understand the remorse and frustration and woe. Jesus knew WOE.

The disciples didn’t understand that one of their own could even think of betraying Jesus. They were saddened, and one by one they said to him, “Surely you don’t mean me?”  “It is one of the Twelve,” he replied, “one who dips bread into the bowl with me. The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.” Mark 19

Jesus knew of frustration in knowing how others would fail Him. Jesus prays for all to be strong facing horrific times. And use our strength to help others.

“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat.  But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, STRENGTHEN YOUR BROTHERS.” Luke 22:31

Jesus knew of Humble Service. We are to learn humility and yet the disciples were STILL arguing about who was greatest, even at the Last Supper.  They didn’t know until they knew.  We also STILL have tough times accepting humility. Jesus said: “the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.” Luke 22:26

Jesus knows Forgiveness. We must show forgiveness for others in order to be forgiven ourselves.  What we struggle with can be handled by Jesus who knows our humanness and knows our failings. He knows why He came to serve. In washing Peter’s feet, truly He was teaching that He came to wash away ALL our sins in order to enter the Kingdom. Jesus WANTS US WITH HIM. Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” John 13:26

JESUS KNOWS THAT IT IS HARD TO HOPE WHEN WE ARE HURTING. JESUS WILL HOLD US.

And Jesus knows LOVE. He knew taking care of and cherishing His own those Last Earthly days.   It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, HE LOVED THEM TO THE END. John 13:1

Easter week shows Jesus lovingly leaving, on purpose, but not leaving us alone in our own lamentation,  JESUS IS ALWAYS WITH US THRU THE SPIRIT: “If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” John 14:15

Jesus reminds us of FUTURE GLORY.  Nothing we suffer now compares to FUTURE GLORY.  We are to remember everything He gives to us: “PEACE I leave with you; MY PEACE I GIVE YOU. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.  “You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.” John 14:27

We know Jesus brings us peace, we are allowed to have lamentations but with our internal spirit connection we are encouraged to have HOPE. 

Jesus will rise us to Him. HOLD TIGHT.

We must believe in JESUS LOVE.

Amen