Walking with Jesus Through Passion Week by Pastor Russ Fochler

This coming Sunday is the time that most Christians mark as "Palm Sunday". When Jesus rode into Jerusalem on that day almost two thousand years ago, it marked a "point of no return" for him. The coming week was the appointed time of Pesech - "Passover" and for Jesus to reveal Himself as "The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world." I encourage you to walk with Jesus this week. We often touch upon and analyze passages from the last week of Jesus' life when He was visable to all.   But how often do we just immerse ourselves in this part of His story? We know Jesus yearned for the hearts of His disciples to stay present with Him when He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane. What if we could give Him that gift now?  I believe  we can. Let me explain: Time and our human spirit We know that God lives outside of time.  He dwells in eternity.  We are aware of living in the construct of time - and it helps keep things understandable for us.  However, when we're united with the "God of the spirits of all flesh" (Num 27:16); He can take us places beyond the time and space limitations of our physical bodies. A Story in Jerusalem A few years ago, a group of folks from Blazing Fire went to Jerusalem to help one the houses of prayer (Succat Hallel).  During our breaks, we explored the "Old City" and the country side.  On day, we visited the house (palace) of Caiphas the high priest at the time of Jesus' trial.  At the lowest level there is a dungeon pit hewn out of rock. As we entered this pit, we were given time there by ourselves. And a spirit of intercession gripped us.  Kelly Rashe, Susan, and Karena in particular - sensed strongly the presence of Jesus as he waited in this dungeon pit.  We all felt a supernatural grace to express our love, gratitude, and compassion to Jesus - believing that He was receiving our expressions as He waited there almost 2,000 years ago.  I would say this was the most significant experience of that trip for me. Jesus' Last Week (plus a bit) A surprising percent of the Gospel texts focus on these days: The Gospel of Matthew: ~34%  (Starts Chap 21:1) The Gospel of Mark: ~ 39%  (Starts Chap 11:1) The Gospel of Luke: ~ 23%  (Starts Chap 19:28) The Gospel of John: ~ 47%  (Starts Chap 12:1) I encourage you to "Journey with Jesus" though His last week by inviting the Holy Spirit to read with you - and empower you to "enter into" His journey.  I suggest that you read one of the first three (synoptic) Gospels and then the Gospel of John. It is my prayer; that as you do this, that your heart will connect even more deeply with your Savior, King, and Betrothed Bridegroom. Love,         Russ  P.S. I originally wrote this in 2013.  It felt right to post it again for this week.