Greetings EM family,
I pray that you are doing well physically and spiritually.
Today is Maundy Thursday, traditionally is the day that Jesus ate the Last Supper with his disciples. For Jewish who observed Passover, this was also the Passover feast that Jesus had with his disciples. Though some passages seemed to indicate that Jesus was arrested and crucified before the Passover (John 1:29, 18:28, 19:31), for this discrepancy, here is a blog to share with you on this topic. Besides, all four Gospels documented Jesus’ prayer at Gethsemane, where three of his disciples, Peter, James, and John, felt asleep.
The Agony in the Garden of Gethsemane by Tiziano Vecellio, aka Titian (1488/1490 – 1576 A.D.)
While all the Synoptic Gospel described the sorrow and distress that overwhelmed Jesus (Matthew 26: 37-38, Mark 14:33-34, Luke 22:44), Luke described Jesus’ emotion more vividly.
And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
(Luke 22:44, ESV)
Jesus knew what was going to happen to him, but he prayed.
And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”
(Mark 14:36, ESV)
Another place where Jesus replied with “with God all things are possible” was about how difficult it was for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God (Matthew 19:26).
God did not remove the cup from Jesus; it was God’s will to have Jesus walk on the road to Calvary and redeem His sheep.
3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faceshe was despised, and we esteemed him not.
4 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,and with his wounds we are healed.
(Isaiah 53:3-5, ESV)
John the Baptist knew this and said upon seeing Jesus
The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
(John 1:29, ESV)
God plans to pay for our transgression with His Son’s blood. To some, this is foolishness; to others, this is the power of the God. How about you?
Announcement:
- E.M. Good Friday Service. It starts at 7:45 pm. The bridge will be open at 7:30 pm. Please remember to prepare bread and wine for the Eucharist. If you do not have unleavened bread or grape juice handy, you may use any juice/water or bread that you have.
You may dial in or login via your phone or personal computer:
Topic: CBCGL English Ministry Good Friday Service
Time: Apr 10, 2020, 07:30 pm Eastern Time (the U.S. and Canada)
https://zoom.us/j/451892676?pwd=d3prOVVZaldMSHdjWVA2WDZQNGxSQT09
Meeting ID: 451 892 676
Password: 885052
Dial-in from your phone: +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
Meeting ID: 451 892 676
Program & Message: http://cbcgl.org/ministries/english-ministry/em-weekly-bulletin/
- This Sunday Easter Combined Service. The service starts at 9:45 am (Note the worship time change). CBCGL YouTube link:
Pastor Raymond Lee will be sharing God’s word with us:
- Live stream Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIedQNWwZ_6YYlQYRjMCO4Q
- Title: Have No Fear of Bad News
- Text: John 20:19; Psalm 112:6-7
- Sunday bulletin: http://cbcgl.org/ministries/english-ministry/em-weekly-bulletin/
You may subscribe to CBCGL YouTube channel for future easy access:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIedQNWwZ_6YYlQYRjMCO4Q
- All other announcement items can be found here.
Prayer Request:
- We have composed a prayer list. You may enter yours here:
Blessings,
Jeremy