April 5
34Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
37Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:34-40, The Jesus Bible)
Good morning Family! We are midway through Holy Week. This year I have been doing a little more research on the breakdown of each day of this special week. From BibleGateway.com, the writers there write that the major event for Monday was when Jesus and His Disciples entered the Temple and Jesus started flipping tables and driving out all those buying and selling at the gates. On Tuesday morning, Jesus curses the fig tree after finding no fruit on it. This has always been a puzzling act to me, but after doing some further digging this year, I have read that Jesus cursed the tree for not bearing fruit as a sign against hypocrisy. The fig tree was in full bloom but had no fruit, as it should have in that stage. Jesus grew angst against the tree because He was really fuming at the religious leaders of Israel, who appeared to be in full bloom, but they produced no fruit for the Lord. The Sadducees and Pharisees only sought to judge and persecute others, they were not helping create hearts crying out for compassion and to the Lord. The cursing of the fig tree is also a reminder to all of us that we need to be producing fruit when we are in full bloom. To produce good fruit you need to be sharing the Good News, spreading the truth of the Gospel, radiating with joy, permeating with compassion, and being full of love, love, love.
Through the first three days of Holy Week, Jesus does some of His greatest teaching in these final hours. He preaches to the crowd about giving to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s. He gives parable after parable to those with ears to hear. And He drops the mic when Jesus speaks the words above, which teaches us the greatest truths and greatest commandments: To Love God and Love People.
Wednesday is also the day that is recognized as “Spy Wednesday”, the day when Judas agrees to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver (Matthew 26:14-16).
We are in Florida for the next few days visiting family. On the road trip down, I listened to Pastor Steven Furtick’s message again, and I realized how powerful that sermon was, which is why I am sharing it below for the second time.
There were many great new singles that were released this week, but I also want to share my favorite Easter themed songs with y’all as well, so I’ll be dropping two videos in the post here for the rest of the week. Starting with the new release from Red Rocks Worship, which I am very excited that they are releasing new tracks, which means a new album is coming up next.
My number #5 favorite Easter song comes from Crowder. Released back in 2016, I remember this song shook me to my core when I first heard it. The beauty in these words are still powerful to me this day, seven years later: “A cross meant to kill is my victory.”
Common Sense Reborn 