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Spy Wednesday: “Passionate Love” by Andrea Marino

, Spy Wednesday: “Passionate Love” by Andrea Marino

Spy Wednesday: “Passionate Love” by Andrea Marino

Jesus did much to reveal the Kingdom of His Father. Here was God in flesh
speaking parables and displaying extraordinary feats so people could grasp a reality beyond what their natural eye could see. On the night of His betrayal, Jesus washed the disciples’ feet to impart a message. Aghast at the idea of his Lord performing what was a lowly service, Peter adamantly declined. Unless a person is washed by Jesus he cannot have a part of Him, John 13:8. An exposé of spiritual significance is this foot-washing ceremony of Jesus, right before His death. Since a believer’s body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, he is already clean; yet his feet can take him to places God would rather he not go. Hence, the cleansing of one’s fee, a depiction for daily purification and which is ours through Jesus. All of the Lord’s actions are a model of humility in love. We will be brutally tempted by the enemy, challenged to walk as Jesus did, rather than by the inclinations of our flesh. “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup from Me; nevertheless, not My will but Yours be done.” Luke 22:42 NLT.

Holy week is all about the love of God, and began with Jesus’ triumphant
entrance into Jerusalem on a donkey. Amid a myriad of swaying palm branches, shouts of hosanna filling the air, crowds of people lined the streets to hail their King. Within days of Palm Sunday, however, the people’s faith in Jesus died. Initially recognizing this Man, sent by God to save them from oppressive tyranny, Holy Week began to look nothing at all like this. As Moses lifted up a snake in the wilderness, the Son of Man would be lifted up so that everyone who believes in Him would have eternal life, John 3:14. Indeed, Jesus coming to earth, shedding His own blood – not the blood of others – seemed too strange a way to save them.

We are to be separated from the world system. Holy Week makes clear Jesus
was. We who have come to receive Him know His suffering, while we were yet sinners, had a definite purpose. God was pleased to crush His only Son on our behalf so that we could be made righteous, Isaiah 53:5, 10. Agonizing as life can be for us, now within a sin- polluted domain of evil, we embrace our relationship to Jesus, as a fellowship in His suffering. We accept our monetary light afflictions as producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory, 2 Corinthians 4:17. God invites us into His great mysteries. These mysteries hold everything pertaining to life, as it was in the beginning in the Garden of Eden.

For the joy awaiting Him, Jesus endured the cross, Hebrews 12.3. Holy Week culminates with Easter morning, our Lord’s resurrection. Christ in us is the hope of glory. Such hope is one able to transcend the current world of evil. Fixing our eyes on Jesus we see God’s Kingdom in our midst. Even more than streets paved with gold – where our feet will walk upon one day – is having the deepest longings of our heart for true love, joy, and peace satisfied now. Somber as Holy Week is in reflection of our Lord’s body being sacrificed in death, we who belong to Him rejoice in all He accomplished for us on the cross. Death could not hold Him in the grave; Jesus is alive! The promise we hold and look forward to is one glorious day when our King will return to earth and dwell with us forever.

 

About the Author…

, Spy Wednesday: “Passionate Love” by Andrea MarinoAndrea is mom to four great kids, Grammy to four delightful grands, and author of ‘The Hobble, from Ai to Bethel’, a truth-based story, detailing her personal encounter with Jesus. Passionate about God’s Good News, Andrea loves to share what He has taught her over the forty plus years of walking with Jesus. From penning His thoughts on her Facebook page, ‘In the Way Everlasting’ to monthly articles in ‘Faith on Every Corner’ magazine, Andrea cares deeply about those who are yet lost. When not writing, Andrea loves spending time with family and especially enjoys a good ride on her bicycle along one wooded road or other. Please visit Andrea’s Facebook blog page; she is always ready to hear thoughts from others and engage in discussions. Or you can email her at: [email protected].

Connect with Andrea on Facebook.

 

The Christian Authors Network Holy Week Devotional Contest

The Christian Authors Network Holy Week Devotional Contest was created to encourage our group members to use their skills and talents to grow the Kingdom of God. We are so grateful to all of our participants and pray that the Lord would continue to use you in mighty ways. The devotionals in this series are the result of the contest, and we hope that each one blesses you as you reflect on the sacrifice of our Savior during this Holy Week. Thank you again for your participation, and may God continue to richly bless you.

Download the full PDF here!