Perhaps this week’s words of Christ are His most compelling, His most tender, as He approaches the cross. He sits down with His twelve trusted friends and he dines with them. He washes their feet. He sings psalms with them. And He reveals Himself in the Passover Feast as the Paschal Lamb of God. His words are carefully chosen, knowing His time with them is nearing its horrible yet most magnificent climax. What else needed to be said to His closest ones, his cherished family? He gives them a final command, “Love one another.” In the coming days, they would face so many fears that would turn to anger as they saw their beloved Savior brutally betrayed, battered, and crucified. They would face their own failures of abandoning their friend, hiding, denying even knowing their Messiah. Jesus knew loving might be the most difficult command, but it would distinguish them as His own. Love one another. As they finished the third cup of wine (of suffering,) Jesus stood up from the table. His time had come, but maybe he could steal away for just one more moment alone with his Abba Father before those next fateful hours. So, they walked and they sang. They sang as Jesus entered his most difficult hour. As part of the Passover, one of the psalms that was sung was Psalm 100. “This is the Day that the Lord hath made. I will rejoice and be glad in it.” Imagine Jesus singing these words as he walked to pray in Gethsemane before the trials, before Pilate, before the beatings, before the unbearable separation from his Father as every sin was placed on his torn, scourged body. This was the day set from the beginning of time to save God’s people. “If this cup (of suffering) could pass, Lord…Yet, not my will but Thine be done…THIS is the Day the Lord hath made. I will rejoice and be glad in it.”
I don’t think I’ve ever loved my Savior more as I read these Scriptures. Visit Bev’s Cover to Cover this week for many insights as we walk through the blessed gift of His Word each week.
This is a haunting song about Jesus and disciples on thier way to Gethsemane. The Last Song – Kate Campbell
annette geffert 
Love the new pics, too!
How appropriate for election time…”Love one another.” Simple yet hard.
LOL…I don’t have a clue what you told me to do that you discovered after 43 weeks. I have read your comment on my blog over and over—like what is the subject we are discussing—I am on the floor rolling!
Love one another – – – says it all.
Wonderful post. We must stand firm in faith with our eyes fixed on Him.
Love, Annette
Beautiful words, my friend. You have such a gift. I struggle so much with these readings because I hate knowing that He’s going to suffer. Willingly. And yet, it is so necessary.
love you,
karen
Oh, sorry for the mistakes. I’m so TARD from the time change. This is only the 3rd time Hoosiers have done this.
Beautiful expression of love. last night we prayed for my friend, that should would find meaning and purpose in her suffering. She flies to Houston tomorrow. Thursday at 9:00 your time is a pirvotal moment for her. Please say a little prayerfor her.
Judas forgot the words to the last song. It was God’s will, but makes me feel badly anyway. Thank you for putting this all together in a way that only you can do! This is the day the Lord has made. I WILL rejoice and be glad in it! After reading His word this way, it feels more real and true than ever before. I’m glad to be doing it with you!
Love you,
Angie xoxo
I am so touched by your take on what lingers in your beautiful heart!