Happy Thursday and blessed Maundy Thursday!

Tonight we were reminded that so many events occurred tonight in the life of Christ. He celebrated the Passover Meal with His disciples. The rest of the nation of Israel sat at the tables with their relatives and Jesus sat with His friends for the last time. He washed their feet in an act of baptism. He broke the bread and shared the wine in a final effort to tell them of the coming events in just a few short hours and their mission after he was gone. On this night Jesus would send His betrayer out to complete his task and pray in the garden with the disciples. On this night the soldiers would take Him away and one of His own would betray him with a kiss.

John 14:12 “He that believes in me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than there shall he do; because I go unto my Father.”

Jesus took His closest friends and companions, the Disciples, and went to the garden to pray. And there as Jesus was praying to the Father that if it be His will to let this cup pass…is there another way to do this without being nailed to a cross? If not Father, let your will be done in Me. Here Jesus is praying the most dramatic prayer of His life and what are the disciples doing? Sleeping! Jesus needed their prayer support and they went to sleep. The disciples sort of failed Jesus and did not wake up until He was being led away by the Roman soldiers. Then the Disciples ran and hid.

Okay, so here is the good news. Those same “duh” ciples who were scared, sleepy, timid and just did not get it..are the same disciples who became healers, leaders, and conquerors because they believed in Jesus. Jesus knew His followers so well and knew they would flee the scene, but would find Him again through the power of the Holy Spirit. When they came back into relationship with Christ through the Holy Spirit they remembered the teachings of Jesus. When they remembered what they had been taught they were ready to preach, teach and heal in the name of Jesus.

If Jesus can teach these ordinary men to be extraordinary teachers, preachers and healers, He can do the same with us. We must read His Word, pray in His name, worship Him in truth and listen when He speaks. And when He speaks we must be willing to listen and act as the disciples He calls us to be. (maybe we will be a little less “duh” )

Take joy in the journey. Wear comfortable shoes, count your blessings and say your prayers. Love you all and a blessed Good Friday to each of you. Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.

Gcapplenotes@aol.com

I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am moved only by what I believe and I believe God.