HOLY WEEK
"For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father." (John 10:17-18)
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Excerpt from Love to the Uttermost by John Piper:
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"Why does Jesus say this? Why does he stress his willingness to die? Because if it weren't true - if his death were forced on him, if it weren't free, if his heart weren't really in it - then a big question mark would be put over his love for us.
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The depth of his love is in its freedom. If he didn't die for us willingly - if he didn't choose the suffering and embrace it - then how deep is his love, really? So he stresses it. He makes it explicit. It comes out of me, not out of circumstances, not out of pressure, but out of what I really long to do."
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Read more here.
Confusion
HOLY SATURDAY
"Joseph bought a linen shroud, and taking him down, wrapped him in the linen shroud and laid him in a tomb that had been cut out of the rock. And he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb." (Mark 15:46)
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Excerpt from He Descended Into Hell by Joe Rigney:
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"We all know that Jesus died. "'Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!' And having said this he breathed his last" (Luke 23:46). But what happened after he died? We know that his body was laid in Joseph's tomb, but what about his human soul?​
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Reflecting on this question not only sheds light on the Bible's teaching about death and the afterlife, but it also is a great encouragement to us, who must face death and seek to do so without fear."
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Read more here.
GOOD FRIDAY
Crucifixion
Crucifixion
"At the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" (Mark 15:34)
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Excerpt from Why Have You Forsaken Me? by Donald Macleod:
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"Up to this point, the narrative of the crucifixion has focused on the physical suffering of Jesus: the flogging, the crown of thorns, and his immolation of the cross. Six hours have now passed since the nails were driven home. The crowds have jeered, darkness has covered the land, and now, suddenly, after a long silence, comes this anguished cry from the depths of the Savior's soul.​
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The words are an Aramaic-tinged quotation from Psalm 22, and although Matthew and Mark both offer a translation for the benefit of Gentile readers, they clearly want us to hear the exact words that Jesus spoke. At his lowest ebb, his mind instinctively breathes the Psalter, and from it he borrows the words that express the anguish, not now of his body, but of his soul.
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Read more here.
Commandment
MAUNDY THURSDAY
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another:
just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another." (John 13:34)
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Excerpt from Love to the Uttermost by John Piper:
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"Today is Maundy Thursday. The name comes from the Latin mandatum, the first word in the Latin rendering of John 13:34, "A new commandment (mandatum novum) I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another." This commandment was given by Jesus on the Thursday before his crucifixion. So Maundy Thursday is the "Thursday of the Commandment.""
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Read more here.
Services Information
Celebration!
Services are held in the Sanctuary at 149 Spring Street, Lexington, MA.
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Good Friday Service: April 14th, 7:45pm
Easter Service: April 16th, 11:15am
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Easter service will be followed by an Easter Potluck in the chapel. RSVP here!
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Children's program available from newborns to 5th grade. If you're new, or are looking for more information, please stop by table on the 1st floor of the church to register your children.