Christians have so much to be thankful for and at the very top of the list is the gift of salvation.  This week, known as Passion Week, commemorates the last week of Jesus’ ministry on earth.  It began as a celebration with the people not understanding that this King of kings did not come to set up a political kingdom on earth, but He came to establish the spiritual kingdom of God which is powerful and eternal.

Jesus experienced many things during the last week of his life, such as the Passover he shared with his disciples; washing His disciple’s feet and being betrayed by Judas.  He also spent time accepting the will of His Father in the Garden of Gethsemane.  He was later arrested and horribly beaten,  and on Friday, He was crucified and laid in a tomb.  All of this came as no surprise to Jesus, yet it was the most difficult thing He was called upon to do – give His life for the salvation of mankind.  Jesus had one purpose and that was to save the lost and He fulfilled that purpose after living just 33 years.

The life of Jesus is an example of how every child of God is to pattern their own life.  The kingdom of God is the exact opposite of worldly principles.  When we are living in the flesh we want to be served, but Jesus came as a servant to all and expects His followers to show their greatness by their service to others.  It is the nature of man to want to be first, to seek recognition for their accomplishments, but Jesus taught us that the first will be last and the last will become first.  Jesus showed us what it means to be humble.  He showed us how we must fulfill the will of God for our lives and how to be totally submitted to our heavenly Father.

This week is a time to reflect upon all that Jesus Christ did for the children of God.  He paid the ultimately price to reconcile man back to God which only He could do.  Take time to thank Him.  Show God how grateful you are for His grace and His mercy. Finally, examine yourself to be sure that you have laid down everything that could keep you from fulfilling your destiny.  Make sure that you are fully persuaded that the Word of God is true.  Be confident that you are giving God the honor due Him by putting Him first in your life, loving and forgiving as Jesus did, and most of all make sure that you are telling those who do not yet know Jesus as their Lord and Savior that He is extending His arms out to them today and whosoever calls upon His name shall be saved.