Next week is the holiest week for Christians

This warm weather, rain, and then sunshine certainly removes the winter grime from our spirits. Not only are we feeling the effects of this change in weather but so is nature. The birds are joyfully singing, the grass is turning green, the crocuses are blooming, and the spring shoots are bursting through the earth. This is the time that people long to get into the dark, fertile soil and plant. I did some transplanting last year and I?m eager to see how the plants will flourish this year. We have a composting bin and I?m ready to get my hands dirty by placing that rich fertilizer around my flower beds. It?s fun to pore over the seed and plant catalogs and dream of colorful and vibrant gardens. Yes, the time is drawing near when we will be digging holes and trenches and placing small, seemingly insignificant, seeds into the ground. Seeds of all shapes, colors, and sizes will be buried into the earth. After time, the soil will be pulsating with emerging life.

This coming week is the holiest of weeks for Christians. This Sunday Christians begin the week in celebration. Waving palm branches and singing ?Hosannas? to our Lord and Savior, Jesus, as we remember his triumphant entrance into Jerusalem. By Thursday, our tone changes as we remember: Jesus? new command ?that you love one another as I have loved you? John 15:12, the giving of his body and blood in the Sacrament of Holy Communion, his betrayal by Judas Iscariot, and his brutal suffering during his trial. By Friday, the outlook is dismal as we remember that Jesus was condemned to the gruesome death of crucifixion. Jesus was nailed to the cross and died a death of asphyxiation. After Jesus? death his body was: speared, taken off the cross, and buried in a tomb which was sealed by the Roman Government. A seemingly insignificant, itinerant preacher was dead and buried. Saturday, all was quiet as death remained the captor. But oh, how Jesus changed death into life that Sunday! On Easter Sunday Christians around the world will be singing ?Alleluias? as we joyously celebrate the resurrection of Jesus from the grip of death. For Jesus is the first seed, buried in the ground, to emerge with pulsating, eternal life. Through God?s love we no longer are perishable but become imperishable; seeds of all shapes, colors, and sizes bursting forth with life. Through the love of Jesus you do not need to fear death for you have eternal life. For this seemingly insignificant seed, Jesus, IS the Messiah our Lord and Savior. Jesus the risen Christ loves YOU and gives YOU life; life abundantly and life eternally.

Join Immanuel Lutheran for Holy Week worship services: March 20 Palm Sunday, 9 a.m.; March 24 Maundy Thursday, 7:30 p.m.; March 25 Good Friday Community Cross Walk at Central Park?s Bandstand, Noon, Tenebrae Worship at Immanuel, 7:30 p.m.; March 27 Easter, 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. with an 8 a.m. breakfast.