Hi First name / friend,
We are halfway through Holy Week already; day after day moving closer to resurrection. I've been taking my kids through Every Woman a Theologian's Holy Week guide (and videos!) and though I wrote the questions myself years ago, I find myself convicted all over again. Am I finding sin in others before eradicating it in myself? Am I letting Jesus cleanse my heart? Am I willing to forgive my betrayers?
Each day of Jesus' life leading up to His resurrection teaches us a deep truth about His love, grace, and strength – all of which are available through the Holy Spirit.
This is a particularly meaningful Holy Week for our family. Our oldest daughter has professed faith in Christ and is being baptized on Easter! Sharing her testimony before hundreds of people is a huge challenge, but she is boldly sharing her story in spite of her fear. The timeless story of salvation has come home to the Masonheimer household in a new way – and we rejoice to see it.
Our church requires a class of all baptism candidates. During the class candidates write their testimony: What life was like before Christ, how they came to follow Jesus, and what life is like now as a Christian. As I sat with my daughter, writing out her testimony, I was reminded of how much my own life has changed since following Jesus. Not all my struggles were eradicated when I turned toward Christ (it's a journey of sanctification!), but now I have the grace and favor of God available in my time of need. God's favor over me – His approval – can never be removed. It does not come and go like human approval; I can trust His face is turned toward me whenever I call. This intimacy, this care, makes my faith in Jesus deeply precious.
Maybe this Holy Week is the time to revisit your own testimony: Who were you before Jesus? What has He done in your life? Remember His salvation as we draw closer to the Cross and Resurrection.
