PEP 2013 Flashcards
One Voice
The one who baptized Jesus was called John the Baptist, and was actually Jesus’ cousin.
The Call of Christ 1
…Mary Magdalene…
…and I, John the Apostle…
The Call of Christ 2
…it would take a radical leader.
Though Jesus had many followers, both men and women, he chose 12 to be part of a closer circle. These 12 men would become known as His disciples. I was one of those men.
In the Name of the Lord
That day caught everyone’s attention! From then on, it seemed that no matter where Jesus and his disciples went, huge crowds would gather to catch just a glimpse of this mysterious man.
In the Name of the Lord Underscore 1
As you can imagine, Jesus grew in popularity! With each passing day, there came with it new stories of his miracles. These included not only physical healings, but also healings of the soul.
In the Name of the Lord Underscore 2
…I will always love and follow him.
By the time Passover Week was approaching in Jerusalem, the excitement of the people was sky high. Sentiment ran the gamut, both for and against Jesus. The Pharisees and Sanhedrin – the religious leaders of the day – were very concerned, for the people were making the outrageous claim that Jesus could be the Promised One from God. But, even as much effort was made to ”keep business as usual” during this Passover, it was obvious it would be anything but ordinary!
Messiah, the Promised of God
…would be making an appearance!
As faithful sojourners entered the city, several would add to this anticipation by reporting that they had actually seen a small band of travelers making their way to Jerusalem, and that this group was led by one called Jesus. This bit of news further excited the people, yet more deeply disturbed the established religious leaders.
Remember Me Underscore
One thing I will remember about that night in the Upper Room is how much
Jesus talked to us about serving others. While we were trying to figure out who would be the greatest in His Kingdom, Jesus was telling us that the least
among us would be the greatest. He demonstrated what he was talking about by taking a towel and basin of water, then going from disciple to disciple,
washing our feet. It embarrassed us to be treated this way by the one we considered to be so great, but Jesus quietly ignored our requests to stop.
Arise
Ironically, two religious leaders of the day - Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus – had grown sympathetic to Jesus and his cause. They even asked if they could have his body following the crucifixion and prepare it for burial. They took Jesus= body and placed it in Joseph=s very own tomb, sealing the opening with a large stone. (INTRO TO ARISE STARTS) For three days following that, Jesus’ followers consoled one another and searched for answers. They wondered what would happen next.
New Jerusalem
…conquering death as our Resurrected Christ.
Just as the early Christians, we confidently continue to wait on His return. Even as we have remembered his birth, life, death and resurrection tonight, celebrating the miraculous power of God at every stage, we also live in the joyous expectation that we will see Him again. For he went to prepare a place for us, so that one day we might sit alongside him as joint heirs of the Kingdom, in eternal worship of God, in a place called the new Jerusalem
