Seeking Rhythms of Renewal

Entering Holy Week slows my pace, and woos my heart to a place of quiet reflection. Walking with Jesus to the Cross now moves from an intimate anointing of love to a triumphal entry into Jerusalem and Passover preparations. Almost hidden in a week of unrelenting activity, the rhythms of renewal whiper hope amid the urgency of Holy Week events.

Welcome to Mindfulness Monday! Where we learn some easy ways to be more present “in the moment” at our jobs, in our homes, with our families and friends.

Learning to recognize God and what He has for us in each divine moment He offers. We acknowledge the belief that God is with us always.

We confess His presence is available to us, lifting our spirit and helping us with power and grace. Learning the art of “stillness” so we can hear His voice and view ourselves, others and our surroundings through His eyes.

rhythms of condemnation

Heavy and foreboding described Holy Weeks for most of my life. Knowing the story ended in the crucifixion, seeking rhythms of renewal in the preceding events escaped me. My mind and heart focused only on Jesus nailed to a Cross in my place.

Each year brought the vivid reminder of Christ’s horrific death in my place, for my sin, and the injustice of it held me transfixed.

Though Resurrection Sunday follows the day of crucifixion, somehow I never moved beyond Good Friday. Growing up Catholic, I remember the large crucifixes in the church, and the smaller replica in my parents room.

Firmly imprinted on my mind, Jesus nailed to the cross became the only emphasis of Holy Week. Even later in life when I understood the gospel story and accepted Christ as my personal Savior, the only manner in which I viewed Him, was nailed to the cross.

Until one day someone shared with me, “He is not on that cross anymore”.

Sadly, the only thing I remember about the exchange was that statement. I have no memory of who said it, or where the conversation took place. But those words changed everything for me.

Suddenly, instead of a place of condemnation, the cross became a place of Hope, the pivotal moment in a week full of the rhythms of renewal.

a holy week of renewal

Over time, seeking rhythms of renewal in the Holy Week narrative became a blessed ritual I eagerly anticipated. Enjoying intensified times of prayer, reflection and occasional fasting allows me consecrated time for embracing renewal through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Holy Week then becomes a “setting apart” of cluttered, over burdened schedules to instead pursue deeper rhythms of spiritual renewal.

Using the events of Christ’s last week on earth prior to His death, we move through the hidden lessons of renewal. As we walk with Jesus through these events we unclutter our minds, set aside our burdens and renew our faith in the precious Lamb of God.

seeking renewal through listening

What if this Lent was a Lent of listening? Amid all the chaos of competing voices, opinions and perspectives; what if we chose slowing down and listening to the only Voice capable of calming the storm?

Turn your eyes upon Jesus this Holy Week, and listen to the rhythms of renewal in the events preceding the greatest demonstration of God’s renewing love.

Your ears hear what your eyes embrace; come, look afresh on Christ’s last steps to Calvary. Make time each day for quiet reflection: breathe deep, lean into the embrace of silence and invite God’s voice to speak.

The Rhythm of Anointing

Anointed twice in the space of six days, seals Christ as God’s chosen Passover Lamb. Sitting with the significance surrounding the anointing of Jesus revealed a sacred rhythm of renewal prevously unseen.

Six days before the Passover, Mary of Bethany anoints the feet of Jesus at a supper in their home. (John 12:1-3) As the ninth day of the Hebrew month Nisan, this immediately preceded the designated tenth day when Passover lambs were chosen. (Exodus 12:3)

According to Old Testament law, the choosing and anointing of the lambs six days prior to the Passover sacrifice, brought the lambs into the home for inspection and protection from blemish.

An “unnamed woman” anointed the head of Christ two days before the Passover in the home of Simon the Leper. (Matthew 26:1-16, Mark 14:1-11) Fulfilling the second anointing of the Passover lamb upon the head signifying its condition as a blemish free “lamb of God”.

Lingering with these two anointings reveals the true Hope of renewal in the perfect and final Lamb of God.

The Rhythm of the Triumphal Entry

The day following the second anointing of Jesus, as God’s Passover Lamb, we encounter His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. The significance coincides with the Jewish people bringing their anointed sacrificial lambs into Jerusalem for Passover.

In bringing their chosen Passover lambs into Jerusalem they declared their unblemished state before all and their readiness for the Passover celebration.

Jesus rode into Jerusalem with all of the Passover lambs, as THE Final Passover Lamb, but also in fulfilment of the prophecy in Zechariah 9:9:

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion, Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Zechariah 9:9

Not only was Jesus submitting Himself to God as the sacrificial Lamb of God, but He declared Himself as the final King prophesied to sit on the Throne of David.

By embracing the rhythm of the Triumphal Entry, we embrace the true Hope of renewal in Jesus as both our Deliverer from the bondage of sin and our King Eternal in His coming Kingdom.

The Rhythm of Temple Cleansing

Finding Jesus cleansing the Temple the day after His Triumphal Entry offers the most unique peek into the rhythms of renewal. Often viewed as His distaste for the merchandising of His Father’s house; it provides a stark reminder of the importance of Temple cleansing prior to the Day of Atonement sacrifices.

Levitius 16 discusses the cleansing of the tabernacle after the pollution by Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu when they attempted to approach the Holy of Holies unauthorized and died. The ritual cleansing and atonement was repeated yearly.

In Christ’s cleansing of the Temple, He prepared the Temple and people for the Final Atonement to come upon His sacrifice as THE Lamb of God. In so doing, He also demonstrated His title of High Priest.

Reflecting upon the Final cleansing of the Temple we receive the true Hope of renewal at the hands of our Great High Priest, willingly preparing the way as our personal atonement.

The Rhythm of Teaching, Conspiracy and Betrayal

During what we deem as Holy Week, Jesus spent time visiting his closest friends, Lazarus, Mary and Martha, but He also spent time teaching. As per His custom He taught the people, most notably, He gave His Olivet discourse on the end times (Luke 21:5-36) in addition to several debates with religious leaders. (Mark 11:27-Mark 12:44)

Sadly, during the time period of Jesus’ Triumphal Entry to the close of the Temple debates, religious leaders conspired for the demise of Jesus. Judas, a ready participant agrees to a betrayal at the close of the passover meal. (Matthew 26:14-16, Luke 22:5-6)

Foretelling His betrayal, sentencing and crucifixion, Jesus prepares not only His disciples, but us for the true Hope of renewal hidden in the teaching, conspiracy and betrayal.

The Rhythm of the Upper Room

Prior to the Passover Feast, on Thursday of Holy Week, Christ celebrates the Last Supper with His disciples in the Upper Room. The intimacy of the night begins with the washing of the disciples’ feet illustrating love and forgiveness for all, including Judas.

Giving what is perhaps Jesus’ most intimate words to His disciples, He prepares them for His coming departure and a future void of His physical presence. (John 14:1-John 16:33)

Savoring the intimacy in the Upper Room invites us into a deeper understanding of the true Hope of renewal in Jesus’ departure.

The Rhythm of the Garden

Most poignant of all the stops of Holy Week, we witness the greatest battle in the Garden of Gethsemane. For there, Christ wrestles in every facet of His human form with His impending suffering and death; asking if the cup might pass.

But there in the garden, our Great High Priest becomes the sacrificial Lamb of God and willingly submits to becoming the atonement for His people once and for all as the true Hope of renewal.

The Rhythm of the Crucifixion

The final stop, we witness the slaying of the Final Passover Lamb of God per tradition, at precisely 3:00 pm on what we call Good Friday. Found “blameless” by Pilate, He nevertheless is offered as the Final Atonement for the people who rejected, mocked and forsook Him.

Soaking in the scene of the crucifixion, we receive the true Hope of renewal in the precious blood of the Perfect Lamb of God which tore the veil of separation in two. Ultimately accomplishing what the blood of bulls and goats could never do: present the people of God holy and blameless before the Throne.

For special Good Friday reflection, head over to my Stations of the Cross page for full information on praying this beautiful meditation and for a FREE printable copy.

seeking rhythms of renewal

This week, slowing down allows you time for stilling the distractions keeping you from God’s Word, God’s voice and God’s Ways.

Instead, choose a final week of listening, reflecting and intimacy rooted in Love.

Because, when you slow down, reflect, and seek the rhythms of renewal in the events of Holy Week, you find more of God. More of God than you saw yesterday, and as much of God as you make time to see. Positioning you at the tomb not as one who mourns, but as one whose Hope emerges victorious.