Readers often assume that the events of Holy Week leading to Easter begin with the triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. In fact, the week’s highlights begin with an odd gift to Jesus made by a woman the day before. She gave an extraordinary gift of value because she saw the hidden significance of the moment. Giving is always about the invisible.

Lazarus is alive! Celebration certainly ensues…among some. However, others are only hardened in their hatred and opposition toward Jesus. These two responses have always been side by side. The supernatural activity of Jesus confronts every person with a crisis of decision.

Now Jesus meets the sisters in their grief and misunderstanding. His patience is on display, but His power even more so. Doubt is generally not fatal, but faith must finally win the day. Death is no ultimate challenge to The One Who is Life Himself!

“When days are weary, The long nights dreary, I know my Saviour cares.” These words reflect the simple faith of the hymn writer. Does Jesus really care? John 11 presents the seventh and greatest sign-miracle of Jesus, the resurrection of Lazarus. Jesus displays His care by showing us a glimpse of divine timing and revealing the glory of God.

Jesus is in Jerusalem for the Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah) and finds Himself once again assaulted by skeptics, miracle seekers, and opponents. He lays out a review of the overwhelming evidence for His identity. Yet it’s only outside the city among the rural folk that He gets a fair evaluation and a following from those who believe.

Jesus now transitions His emphasis from one’s ability to see spiritually to the necessity to hear spiritually. These images are best understood against the backdrop of Ezekiel 34 and Zechariah 11:17. The relationship shared between Jesus and His people stands unparalleled in human experience.

Life experiences, both good and bad, set the stage for the unique story of grace in every believer. To understand the meaning behind the events of our lives, it is necessary to grow in comprehension of Jesus and His grace toward us. Telling your story means sharing life.

The Christian life is dangerous and hard. It should not surprise us that God’s children are growing more uncomfortable as the return of Jesus comes closer. But how do we thrive in the midst of these challenges? Paul’s letter to the Romans teaches us that there is a divine plan for us and God longs to share it with us. As we face the growing reality that this world is not our home, it is important for us to embrace the perspective of heaven to see what our Father has planned for us.

Ezekiel 40-48 present details of the millennial temple (40-42), priesthood/sacrifices (43-46), and land divisions (47-48) during the millennium anticipating eternity. The temple of these chapters is the fourth and final temple planned in the economy of God. It portrays a glad vision of a day when justice and righteousness will be on display to the whole world.

Ezekiel 38-39 are composed as a series of seven oracles against Gog, the enemy of Israel. They speak of an invasion during a period when Israel is living in peace and security in the Promised Land. Like Egypt of old, Magog is an evil army overwhelmed by God for His Glory.