Pastor Mark's March Letter

Dear Church Family,

The end of the month of March is the beginning of what is commonly referred to as Holy Week, which begins on March 29, Palm Sunday.  This is a very exciting and troublesome time in the life of all Christians who seriously ponder Jesus' trek to Jerusalem, where he suffered and died for the sins of humanity.  Palm Sunday is about Jesus' entry into Jerusalem amidst many shouts of praise and adoration, and this by throngs of people who thought Jesus on the verge of bringing victory over their enemies.  But much disappointment dampened their enthusiasm as the week progressed because Jesus was arrested, beaten, and crucified. What kind of king with divine powers would be powerless in the face of torture and execution?  If Jesus were really the Messiah – the long awaited, anointed Savior – wouldn't He have the power to squash the enemies of God underneath His feet?  But despite the many prophecies forth telling the suffering of Jesus, people didn't understand.  Nor did they understand when Jesus was raised from the grave!  So, the month of March concludes with the beginning of Holy Week – or we might say – the end is the beginning.

This is the way Jesus explained it to his closest companions: "We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled.  He will be handed over to the Gentiles.  They will mock him, insult him, spit on him, flog him and kill him.  On the third day he will rise again." (Luke 18:31-33)

Have any of you ever experienced what is meant by the words the end is the beginning?  Actually, I know that many of you understand exactly what this means.  You tell stories of when the world came crashing in upon you; when you lost everything except for faith in God.  And for some of you, it even seemed, initially, as though you also lost your faith in the Lord.  It was a terrible time in your life, and a very dark and lonely journey ensued.  But 

very amazingly, when it seemed like everything was lost and that you were at the end of your rope, God slowly and gently started building a new life and started opening new doors for you!

With Jesus, the end was the beginning.  His suffering and death were of great consequence to him, but it opened up new doors of hope and possibility for all who trust in Him, because after the death of Jesus came His resurrection.


For some of you reading this, it might feel like you are truly at the end of everything and that there is no way to turn.  But with God, the end can actually be the beginning.  Jesus miraculously gives new life and abundant life to those who put their faith in Him.  By God's grace, we can have that new life.  No matter what the end of the road is like for you, may there be new hope and new life through the presence of Jesus Christ.

Sincerely in Christ's love,

 

Pastor Mark