One Week to Live

What if today you were given the news that you had one week to live? How would you make the most of your week? What would you want to do with your time? Whom would you prefer to spend your waning days with? What would you tell them? How would it feel to watch the time clock ticking down the days, hours, minutes and seconds until your death? What emotions would surface? I know, it sounds a bit morbid to think on these questions, but go ahead and consider it with me.

 

This morning, I was asking myself those same questions. I had been thinking a lot about Passion Week and in particular, how Jesus spent his last week on earth. As I read the Scriptures, it occurred to me that Jesus knew that he had one week to live. During his last week on earth, he wasn't doing extravagant things like hot air ballooning over Jerusalem or having a picnic with friends on the beaches of the Dead Sea. Every day and each moment of Jesus' last week on this earth was purposeful and well planned. It wasn't at all about Him.

 

What is Passion Week all about? It is called Passion Week because in that time, Jesus demonstrated His passion for people by the suffering He went through on our behalf. Let me give you just a taste of Jesus' busy week. Holy Week began with Jesus' Triumphant entry into Jerusalem. (Matthew 21: 1-11) On Monday, he wept over Jerusalem and cleansed the temple for the second time in his ministry. On Tuesday, many religious leaders had one goal: to get rid of Jesus. Wednesday was seen as the silent day, as Jesus prepared for what awaited him, while Judas conspired to betray him. Thursday was Jesus' last meal with His disciples prior to his arrest and crucifixion. He gave his followers symbols of remembrance of His body and his blood sacrifice and prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane. (Luke 22:19, Luke 22:54-23:25) He also shared with the disciples a principle to live by, that the greatest are those that serve others, not expecting to be served. (Luke 22:26) On Friday, Jesus was crucified on Golgatha. (Luke 23:46) On Saturday, we remember the time Jesus spent in the tomb. (Matthew 27:66) The Resurrection of Jesus (Sunday) ends Passion Week with Jesus Christ rising from the dead. (Matthew 28:1-10) We celebrate Easter!

 

How easy it is to start this week like we start any other week. Our priority can easily become our personal to do lists, March madness, and preparations for Easter dinner. Passion Week was so purposeful because Jesus lived a purposeful life. He lived His life for His Father alone and consulted Him about everything. Jesus, Son of God, needed God! Do we? 

 

Take time this week to reflect on the great events of Passion Week. Read through the passages of scripture given. Allow the verses to wash over you and renew your spirit. Take in the greatness of our God and His great love for all peoples by His wonderful plan. Consider how your life should change as a result of comprehending Passion Week. This week is set apart as a special time to anticipate the great celebration of Easter. As we prepare during the week and really allow ourselves to feel the weight of Christ's walk to the cross, it makes Easter all the more special. Happy Easter!

 

"A man who was completely innocent offered himself as a sacrifice for the good of others, including his enemies, and became the ransom of the world. It was a perfect act." Mahatma Ghandi

 

"For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver. He paid for you with the precious lifeblood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God." 1 Peter 1:18-19

 

Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.