The Road to Easter

Easter can be loud with tradition, or it can be quiet in a living room with the weight of the world still hanging in the air. Either way, we do not want the meaning to slip past us again before we have even had time to feel it. With Holy Week approaching, we slow down and choose a different focus: Scripture, family, and the central truth that the cross and resurrection are not add-ons to faith, they are the foundation. 

We share a simple approach for the two weeks leading into Easter, including daily readings from the Gospels and a set of questions that help anyone engage, whether you are doing this with kids, a partner, or on your own. Along the way we revisit the key Passion themes: Jesus cleansing the temple and calling for clean hearts, Jesus washing feet and redefining service, the Last Supper and remembrance, the crucifixion where Jesus takes our punishment, and the resurrection that gives new life and real Christian hope. 

Then we sit in the tension of John 16, where the disciples cannot make sense of Jesus’ words and anxiety starts to rise. We talk honestly about what it feels like when God seems near one day and far the next, how cherished sin can blunt spiritual sensitivity, and how suffering can cloud the horizon. Jesus does not leave us there: he promises grief that turns into joy, invites us to ask the Father in his name, and anchors us in this line that changes everything: the Father himself loves you. If you want a grounded, Scripture-first way to approach Easter in uncertain times, press play, then share this with a friend and leave a review. What part of Holy Week do you most need to sit with this year?

Good morning, good afternoon, wherever you are in the world - Welcome to Grapevine Ministries.

Transcript

Two Weeks Of Family Gospel Focus

Simple Devotions And Reading Questions

Passion Week Themes In The Gospels

SPEAKER_01 0:28

Well, we're back, and it's basically about two weeks before Easter, and it's going to look different this year. It won't be the traditional church services where everybody dresses up because it's Easter and large Easter eggs. The kids find ways, too much candy, and to slew off perfect family photos or social media. Most of us will be doing this in our living rooms, reflecting on what's going on in the world. And even though these things are taking place, there is a flow-on effect, and it does impact us to a certain degree, even though we're not over there where the bombs are dropping and everything else. But we're starting to get used to a new normal, and this started with the you know the pandemic, and there's been ongoing crises. Now, look, I could start a sermon on end times and fulfillment of prophecy, but I'm gonna leave that for a little bit later. Uh, don't want to be talking doom and gloom and everything else. But what I want to do is I want you to understand that as there's two weeks before Easter, we intentionally focus together as a family on why Jesus came and how Jesus lived and the reason why he died. But what if Easter this year, we rediscovered the hope that is ours and embraced the life he's given us because he is alive. Each year, families experience a tradition that you know I sometimes call it the two weeks and the two crosses. But the thing is, when our children were very young, um my wife and myself, we're determined to make sure that for the most of the time we have to pour into our family the truth of the gospel because not everybody's is on the same team. Christmas was all about flashy holidays, but what about Easter? Without the cross, our faith means nothing. We wanted to imprint in our children's heart the beauty of Christ's sacrifice and the transformational power of the resurrection. Now, the reason I'm saying this is because I mean, now we enter that new phase. We are now grandparents. Uh, we have two beautiful grandchildren in the eastern states, and the third is on its way, and there is a possibility that that third one could be here before I actually even release this sermon. So, for the two weeks leading up to Easter, I want to focus on scripture and family, and that leads us through Passion Week. Those last days before the crucifixion and the resurrection of Jesus, it has been adapted over the years as your family grows, but the emphasis remains the same. We look forward to that time of the year, even without our kids, you know, because now they've grown, they're married, they've got their own families, and so because of this, we need to focus on the fact that Jesus really does matter. Now, some of you may have seen uh that I've started posting on social media, uh, Instagram and Facebook. I've got um you know seven days of Easter of doing a devotional for each day, and then I realize that not everybody accesses the social media, so I've now started putting it on um WhatsApp and the two groups that I've got on there because I think it's important that we don't just wait for Easter to come and go, we need to focus on what it's all about. What what is the the consensus of this? Now, I mean, I'm gonna go jump forward a little bit because what I'm doing is um I've done my Easter message, which will follow this, and uh it's it's all about the road to the cross. Because everybody's thinking of that's Easter right there, and what does it all mean? But by the time you work out what does it all mean, it's gone. Okay, I'd like people to focus on reading the word, the passages together as a family and ask these questions, right? And if it's just you and your wife, or just you and your partner, then that's the way to do it. Who do we meet in these passages of scripture? Describe the events in your own words. How does Jesus show that day's theme? For instance, how does Jesus show he wants to clean your hearts today? Why do you think God chose these particular scriptures and these events recorded in the Bible? And pray and thank God for the scriptures and what they mean for you personally, and I think it's it's fairly relevant if we look at a particular passage in the Bible. Now, we have the Gospels, we have the four Gospels, right? Now, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. So the next couple of weeks could be quite daunting. Many of us have more time than we need in the months, and others don't have as much time as they would prefer. But the thing is, this is what you need to focus on. It doesn't matter which one of the scripture which one of the gospels you you read on the events of what happened with Jesus, but the thing is, understand what he's trying to do. See, he wants to clean up our heart. When Jesus clears the temple, this happens to be one of the most read and viewed passages of scripture that Jesus shows us how to serve. Everybody knows that Jesus was perfect in every way, he never sinned or anything else, but he wasn't just a fly by the night, you know, um preacher or a gospel leader, whichever way you like to put at it, but he wanted to make sure that we knew that that you know he could he could be angry at what was taking place, not angry at people just at what taking place. Now Jesus also shows how to serve when he washed his disciples' feet. Jesus teaches us how to remember, and this is when Jesus shared the Last Supper with the disciples, and Jesus takes our punishment. This is when Jesus suffered at the crucifixion and was crucified, and then Jesus died for us. That's how he saves us by dying for us, and Jesus gives us a new life, and this is when Jesus was raised from the dead. If you review all these key elements in the in the scriptures, what you will find is that they were all done very significantly in such a way that we can clearly see what Jesus was all about. But if you notice, after the um when he went to ascend into the heaven to go back to where he was, it was all about that the disciples said, Hey, what do we do next? What do you think he's been trying to tell you all this time? You know, it's it's all about putting things into their right perspective, and I think that as a church or as a body of people, because when all gets said and done, we are the church. A lot of people don't realize that about when we're listening to um people preaching and talking about things like this, is that everybody needs to focus on the fact that Jesus came with a simple purpose, and that purpose was all about um preparing us for what was to come. I think you should be a proud to be able to actually represent Jesus in this holy week. And as you go through the scriptures, I think it's important to remember um how relevant all of this was. Everything that Jesus did, okay, before the cross, okay you need to worry about um why he did these things.

SPEAKER_00 12:23

Let me put this another way.

When God Feels Near Or Far

SPEAKER_01 12:26

I personally have always been fascinated by the time in scripture that leads up to what we know as the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. We're on this side of the story, looking back, and we know how things played out. Today I want to actually walk through a passage that occurs before the trial and the suffering and the crucifixion of Christ. This passage that is full of tension. Now, we want to read through this scripture first, and so we can get a better understanding of what it is. John 16, 16 through to 18, and this is what it says In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me. Some of his disciples said to the other What does he mean by saying in a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me? And because I am going to the Father, they kept asking why does he mean and what does he mean by little while? We don't understand what he's saying. See, the disciples are confused. What does he mean? What does he mean? We don't understand. On one level, that response from the disciples is typical of their general response to Jesus, having left everything to follow him and willingly take on the scorn of religious leaders, they are drawn to him like magnets. We might be tempted to think that it was Jesus' words that caught their attention. They were so impressed with his mastery of language and the deep spiritual truth, but the truth is they really rarely understood what Jesus was talking about. The picture scripture paints of the disciple is far from flattering. See, here in this passage, we can see pretty clearly that they don't get what Jesus is saying, but we do perhaps get a sense of the growing anxiety of the disciples.

SPEAKER_00 15:30

They were getting very anxious. Jesus is saying simply this, he's being mysterious for a reason.

Grief That Turns Into Joy

SPEAKER_01 15:46

Jesus is saying to these people who have left everything to follow them. If we were one of those disciples and had invested everything that you had over a three year period with your life being with Jesus, only to hear that Jesus was leaving, I'd be pretty nervous. In fact, by the time Jesus finished those first ten words, if I was paying attention, I might already be overwhelmed at the suggestion that Jesus was leaving. I personally think I'd be saying, Hey, what gives? Do you ever feel that way? Sometimes very, very near, sometimes God seems very, very far away. Yet, if I'm honest, God's presence or absence has no way more to do with what's going on in my spirit. I am really making space for God or am I making entertainment for the for Satan for me to sin? Let's go on with our next scripture. Psalm sixty six sixteen to twenty says this Come and listen all you who fear God, let me tell you what he has done for me. I cried out to him with my mouth, his praise was on my tongue. If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would have listened, but God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer, praise be to God who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me.

SPEAKER_00 18:01

Something about cherishing or planning sin blocks the sense of God's presence.

Ask The Father And Receive Peace

Take Heart And Continue Next Week

SPEAKER_01 18:14

Let me say that again. Something about cherishing or planning sin blocks my senses of God's presence. Of course, other things like suffering unjustly, the great brokenness we can carry with us can also have the effect of dimming God's voice in our hearts. But it's actually more like to draw us closer to God if our hearts tilt towards him. Psalm twenty two twenty-four says for he has not despised or disdained the suffering of the afflicted one, he has not hidden his face from him, but has listened to his cry for help. What are you going to ask to be read in the next passage? John sixteen nineteen to twenty two. Jesus saw that they wanted to ask him about this, so he said to them, Are you asking one another what I mean when I said in a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me. I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices, you will grieve, but your grief will turn into joy. See, you notice that many times Jesus speaks in parables, but for his disciples he explains it so everybody that is reading through the gospels will actually have a better understanding of it because he's he hasn't condemned them for their lack of knowledge or understanding, but he does go to great lengths to actually explain it. It goes on to say a woman gives birth to a child, has pain because her time has come, but when her baby is born, she forgets the anguish because of her joy that the child is born into the world. So with you, now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. I remember um you know my wife is is very, very um, how would we put this politely? No, no, she she's very worried sometimes that you know when the kids ask her about when they were born, uh, what she remembers and all this sort of stuff, it is clear reflection of that actual passage of scripture right there. You have to try and hear it the ways the disciples heard this for the first time. See, my wife has forgotten so many things about all the bad stuff that happened with the kids because she wants to enjoy all the joy and all the good stuff that come out of that, and that is why there that particular scripture is there. See, the disciples had no Easter perspective, they have no knowledge of future events, and the things that Jesus is letting them in on, things that come down the pipes, are not, I stress, not particularly encouraging. Jesus starts explaining what he has meant by saying, you will weep. And mourn while the w world rejoices. Oh come on, Jesus, this is getting worse, not better. I'd almost rather you didn't explain things if I only get more information that is worse than what it was before. Now I'm weeping and mourning. You see, those are the things that people who are grieving do. If you've lost a loved one, you know the emotion involved, you know how to get out of control and just unable to contain yourself and the weeping and warning, the morning is there. Jesus' absence, it's starting to sound like it's because of a it isn't because of a vacation, it is to be the absence of the loved one who has died. See, once again, Jesus is not making it easy for his disciples. Jesus talks about childbirth, but from the perspective of the children already being born, going into a delivery, there is always a lot of nervousness because they can be and usually are in a lot of pain. That's kind of where the disciples are at this moment with Jesus. Jesus is speaking to them anticipating something painful, but Jesus reminds them that once the pain has passed, the pain is forgotten because of the joy over the baby born. Those mothers who have children know exactly what Jesus is trying to say. Guys, well, you have to just listen a little bit more intently. Believe me, we've got no idea. You know, you've got no idea what a woman goes through with childbirth. Just thank the Lord that that's not something that you have to endure. But the point that is that Jesus is trying to make here through this is that what he's saying to his disciples is you need to know about grief. It begins here, as Jesus is speaking, they are slowly, agonizingly realizing that something tremendously unpleasant is going to come upon them and they have no control over it. No control whatsoever. To this harrowing picture, Jesus adds, but I will see you again, and no one will take away your joy. They're nice words for us here and now. After these events have unfolded, for the disciples heading into this storm, any mention of the word of joy would have gone unheeded. We cannot see the outcome of painful experiences because the experience itself is completely overwhelming and the brokenness that often results is far from joy. Far, far indeed from joy. John sixteen twenty two to twenty seven. In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth. My Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive and your joy will be complete, though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language, but will tell you plainly about my father. In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. Now it's starting to make a little bit more perspective. Now it's starting to sound a little bit better because Jesus begins redirecting the disciples here. He points them to the father, to his father, he gives them a relationship and a revelation of the Father. The Father Himself loves you. Jesus has already revealed that God could be known as Abba or Daddy, and that they could go straight directly to God. It's said that the Holy Spirit always points us to Jesus, that Jesus always points us to the Father. What does Jesus want us to do about the Father? The Father Himself loves you. What does this mean to you? How do you define love? Do you find it hard to hear about or to feel God's love for you? You know, a lot of people do find it very hard. Even just the notion of love is a challenge, but being loved by God, by the Father, that's quite another thing. And in summary, I just want to put it this way. You see this is love that Jesus trusted in us. He was entering these moments of uncertainty when suffering and death was before him, when betrayal by disciples was around the corner. Jesus certainly wasn't in the sure knowledge that everything would be easy. He certainly was that God would abide with him in love as his story unfolded. Just remember the love of the Father, John 16, 28 to 33, and I'll finish with this. I came from the Father and entered the world. Now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father. Then Jesus' disciples said Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech. Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you a question. This makes us believe that you came from God. You believe at last, Jesus answered. But a time is coming and has come when you will be scattered each to his own home, you will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my father is with me. I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble, but take heart I have overcome the world. Now I could go on, but I want to leave it there because I want to continue on the road to the cross next week, and then we'll be right in Easter. God bless you guys and have a good week. Bye for now.