one week

in one week...

you retreat to the desert - if you are found - you will be arrested.

you share in a meal prepared in your honor... teaching others a lesson in what it truly means to honor.

you are celebrated by the masses with cheers of gladness and hope. and yet you remain humble.

the turmoil and stress of knowing what is about to happen begins to creep into your mind.

you foreshadow the inevitable. but they don't understand.

you show your deep love and appreciation to your closest friends. you serve them in the most humble of ways by washing their feet.

you answer questions and offer comfort. "I am the Way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." you remind them that the Counselor will be coming and that they will all be equipped to do great and mighty thing. You empower them.

always teaching... always looking for a chance to share Gospel truth... you use everyday things... a vine...a branch... remain in me... stay connected with me - like a branch to the vine... and bear much fruit.

you have chosen those that will carry Your message the masses in the weeks, months + years to come.

you share in a final meal. a meal of remembrance. a meal shared with friends... a connection... a communion takes place.

you prepare your disciples for what is about to come. they don't get it. but you give the words that they need to hear.

in the dark moments on a dark evening before the darkest of days you retreat. you pray for yourself, for your disciples and for all believers.

and then the betrayal comes. one who walked beside for years... one who ate next to you the evening before... betrays you. stabbed in the back, you tell him 'do what you came here for.'

you are turned over to the authorities and arrested.

your most loyal follower denies knowing you... all the while you are being questioned. you remain humble... all while being humiliated.

they take you to the Governor. he tries to sort of free you, but his pride gets in the way. deep down he is afraid of you. you say little as he gives the option of your freedom to the people. the people, many whom were the same ones cheering your entry into Jerusalem a few days before are now asking that another criminal be freed.

you are given a sentence.

death.

agonizing pain. difficult to breathe. flesh and bone stripped away. words can not express...

'it is finished' you say as you willingly gave up your Spirit...

you GAVE up your Spirit.

what a gift...

in one week...