Holy Week

As we end the book of Jonah, the last verse is a perfect doorway to Holy Week and turning our gaze on Jesus.

Should I not also have compassion on Nineveh, the great city in which there are more than 120,000 people, who do not know the difference between their right hand and their left, as well as many animals?” Jonah 4:11

Should I not also have compassion? 

In this, we hear God’s heartbeat for humanity in his ongoing, committed love. Oh the depths of his grace and mercy! Compassion is to love deeply and with tender affection. 

In the gospels we often read of Jesus being ‘moved with compassion’. He would see the people around him and stretch out his hand to heal and pray. Compassion ultimately moved him to the cross and his sacrificial death.

In Matthew 9:36, When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

I am the good shepherd… I sacrifice my life for the sheep. John 10:14,15

This Sunday we begin Holy Week which is a time we set aside in the church calendar to remember the events leading up to Christ's death on the cross and his resurrection.

We will start with a message Eric Nicolaysen will bring to us called ‘Jonah and Jesus’.

For those of you who would like a 7-day Scripture reading plan, we’d recommend “Journey to the Cross” by Peter Grieg available on the YouVersion Bible App. 

We will be gathering to worship together with services on Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday. Visit our event page for more details on each of these. DSMVC.org/Events

In closing, I share our Lenten prayer: 

For the places we fall short, cry for help, or lack.

We ask and receive the depths of your mercy and grace.

Holy Spirit, Come. 

For those we love and those hard to love.

God see their need, hear their cries. 

Bring the depths of your mercy and grace. 

Holy Spirit, Come. 

For our church, our city, our world. 

Bring the depths of your mercy and grace.

Hear our cry, Holy Spirit, Come.