Maundy Thursday. The day of great distress and agony for Jesus. What an amazing day to look at how the One who was stressed beyond anything we could ever imagine being stressed by, handled it. This marks the day of the display of servant hood and foretelling of what was to come, with Jesus washing the Disciples feet and His agony in the Garden of Gethsemane. In the garden, He pours out His heart, to the point of sweating blood, due the realization and weightiness of what is about to come. Who else to better learn from on how to handle life's toxic stressors than the one who bore it all? (We will unpack that tomorrow:).
Also this day happens to be: "I am not ashamed of Jesus" day. So let's lift Him high; share His name and fame and maybe help someone get relief from their stress. You can do that through simple acts of love and care. Start by sharing with them this Podcast or others like it that bring the hope and healing that comes through Christ. As we share Jesus's love, let's not forget to explain the fact that He freed us from our sin that is a death sentence, through His death and resurrection. The Good News of the Gospel is that we can choose His death on the Cross as our payment. Then we have a 'get out of jail card' free from any penalty of sin and the access to be healed from the effects of sin! Now if that doesn't relieve stress, I'm not sure what can!
Thank you faithful followers for helping "Have You Not Heard?" thrive. Through your listening, sharing, rating, reviewing and encouragement, God is using this little Podcast to share His hope and healing to a hurting world. Let's keep on keeping on together and help His word spread.
Resources:
*The Gospel according to Mark
*John 13:34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another."
*Dr. Jim Denison, "The Daily Article" 4-14-22
*"The Hour Had Come" by David Mathis (www.desiringgod.org)
*"What is Maundy Thursday and Why do Christians Celebrate It?" (www.crosswalk.com)
Maundy Thursday Prayer:
Lord God,
You sent your Son into the world,
And before his hour had come,
He washed his disciples’ feet.
You had given all things into his hands.
He had come from you, and was going to you,
And what did he do?
He knelt down on the floor,
And washed his friends’ feet.
He was their teacher and their Lord,
Yet he washed their feet.
Lord God, help us learn from his example;
Help us to do as he has done for us.
The world will know we are his disciples
If we love one another.
Strengthen our hands and our wills for love
And for service.
Keep before our eyes the image of your Son,
Who, being God, became a Servant for our sake.
All glory be to him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
One God, now and forever.
Amen.
Jesus’ Stress Management Plan
1. He was empowered by the Holy Spirit (Mark 1:9-13)
2. He knew who He was(his identity) and whose He was, as a result, knew His authority. (Mark 1:22),(Mark 1:11)(Mark 2:17), (Mark 2:10)
3. He lived in Community(Mark 3:13-19; Mark 6:7)
4. He spent time alone with God in Prayer (Mark 1:35; Mark 3:13, Mark 6:45-46, Mark 9:2)
5. He knew how to spend His energy(Mark 1:35-39)
6. He was led by the Spirit and His Father; He was not dictated by the circumstances or the expectations of people. (Mark 2:27-28)(Mark 3:1-6)(Mark 1:37-38, Mark 3:32-35)(Mark 9:14-29),(John 15:19)
7. He operated out of Faith, not fear. (Mark 10:32-34)
8. He depended on God to meet His needs and the needs of other’s. (Mark 8:1-9)
9. He lived with an attitude of humility and servanthood.(Mark 10:31; Mark 10:44)(Mark 8:35; John 13:1-17)
10.He lived authentically. Poured His heart out to God(Mark 14:32-36) ; received care from others(Mark 15:40)
11. Lived in Forgiveness (Mark 11:25)( Luke 6:27-31)(Luke 23:34)
12. He was motivated by LOVE!!!!! (Mark 8:2; John 15:21; 1 John 3:16).
