Our Response to Holy Week

I Corinthians 15

1 Corinthians 15:1-4 (KJV) Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the Gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

HOLY WEEK

Christians around the world celebrate the Holy Week today, remembering the passion of Christ and the redemptive work of the Lord Jesus in fulfilling the mission of saving the whole world from sin. Faced with the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, we can gain strength, encouragement and courage from what Jesus has accomplished at the cross of Calvary coupled with a proper response to the suffering and finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ.

THE GOSPEL

The apostle Paul summarized the Gospel with very few words in this passage, describing the finished work of Jesus at Calvary which he calls the Gospel or Good News. The Good News is: Christ came to save us, He died to save the world from sins, was buried and rose again. Anyone who believes in Him are forgiven and assured of eternal life. (I Corinthians 15: 1-50). Secondly, he reminded the Corinthians of the power of the Gospel: that though believers die, when Christ comes again, they will be resurrected and will be changed from corruptible to incorruptible bodies. (I Corinthians 15:51-52). Thirdly, because Jesus defeated death, those who trusted and believed in Him are victorious over death and will live with Jesus forever. (I Corinthians 15:53-57)

OUR RESPONSE

Because of the Gospel and what Jesus has done to those who believe in Him, believers are called to three things:  1) Be steadfast – keep going in faith and don’t let up. Like a runner who finishes the race, the follower of Christ has a steady movement forward until the work is done. 2) Be unmovable – stand firm and unshaken when rain comes down, floods come in, and winds blow and beat against your house. If Jesus is with us He assures us victory. Be wise like the man who built his house upon the rock. Jesus is the rock and obeying His Word makes us wise. (Matthew 7:14). In this troublesome world and the stormy situation of the COVID crisis, when people are dying of sickness,  and millions are losing jobs, all sectors are affected. Believers of Jesus and the power of the Gospel equip us to be unmovable.  3) Always abound in the work of the Lord – Fill your days with things that count for Christ knowing that your labor in the Lord is not in vain and everything done for Him will be rewarded. (Colossians 3:23-24)

CONCLUSION:

Because Jesus Christ came, died for our sins and rose from the dead, we are forgiven and assured of resurrection and eternal life and therefore called to be steadfast, unmovable and always abounding in the work of the Lord.

Points to Ponder:

  1. In celebrating the Holy Week this year, make sure you have appropriated and have experienced the power of the Gospel in your life. Have you trusted Jesus as your Savior? Come to Jesus today and receive forgiveness, eternal life, and all the blessings of being part of his family.
  2. Holy Week and the passion of the Christ is not just a holiday to be celebrated, nor is it only an important historical event to be remembered. Jesus has given you the best: His life and promised blessings in this life and in the life to come. Have you given your whole life to Jesus as a true disciple? Have you accepted Him as the Lord of your life? What areas of your life need adjustment to line up with what God desires for your life?
  3. No matter what kind of troubles, storms and trials we face, we can be steadfast, unmovable and useful to his work. What are the troubles and trials you face right now? Give them all to Jesus.

Devotional for Holy Week

Holy Monday

Written by: Bishop Noel A. Pantoja

PCEC


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