“This Same Jesus”

“This Same Jesus”                                   


Each day for the past eight days I have posted, on my blog, a few incredible things that happened during Holy Week. We looked at Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, some occurrences in the city, His arrest, death, burial, and resurrection. 


Many people believe He just went straight back to Heaven after God raised Him from the dead. But that’s just not the way it was. Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and Acts give highlights of some of the events that occurred during the forty days between His resurrection and ascension. 
  

Let’s look at a few:

-      Luke 24:13-35 – Jesus appeared to two of His followers on the road to Emmaus, having conversation as they walked along. Not recognizing Him, the men told Jesus about the remarkable events that occurred in Jerusalem in the past few days. These events centered around Jesus and the things He said and did and that He had been crucified. 

Jesus then talked about the Christ and explained some things about Himself. When they sat down to eat and Jesus blessed and broke the bread, they recognized Him and then He vanished.


They said to one another, “Did not our hearts burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?”

-      Luke 24:36–49 – Jesus appeared to His discipled while they were gathered. He said, “Peace to you.” But they were terrified and feared they had seen a ghost. He said, “Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts?” He showed them the wounds in His hands and feet and asked, “Do you have any food here?” He demonstrated he was real and could even eat food. 

-      Luke 24:49 and Acts 1, He promised the outpouring of His Spirit which would empower His followers to do miraculous works like He had done.

-      John 20:27-29 – Jesus appeared to Thomas who had doubted He had risen and said, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen me and yet have believed.” I especially like this because He’s talking about us. 

-      John 21:1-14 – Beside the Sea of Tiberias, He called out to some of his disciples as they were fishing. When He asked, they told Him they had caught no fish. He told them to cast their net on the other side of the boat and when they did, they got a huge catch. Meanwhile He prepared breakfast for them on the shore. 

-      John 21 - Jesus restored Peter after his shame of denying that He knew Jesus.

At the end of the forty days, His disciples were gathered around and asked Him if He was going to restore the kingdom to Israel.   


He replied, “’It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth’” (Acts 1:7-8). 

Artist Lesley James from 

"The Lord Has Need of YOU" by Connie Wohlford

Then as they watched, He was taken up to Heaven. Two angels, dressed in white, stood nearby and said, “’Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven’” (Acts 1:11).


We who are in Christ anticipate His return. Whether we refer to it as That Day or the Day of the Lord, our ultimate hope is in Jesus, and His return when the fullness of time, according to God’s clock, has come. 


I’ll never forget the thrill of standing on the Mount of Olives, looking across the Kedron Valley at Jerusalem, thinking about the ancient prophecy. “And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which faces Jerusalem on the east. And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two, from east to west, making a very large valley; half of the mountain shall move toward the north and half of it toward the south” Zechariah 14:4.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I encouraged you to read, in your Bible, about the last days of Jesus’ life and the days leading up to His ascension. A lot happened in those few days. Begin your reading at these points: Matthew 21, Mark 11, Luke 19:28, John 12:12, Acts 1. Be blessed with me as we learn Jesus. 


In these posts, I’ve used some pictures and quotes from my book titled, The Lord has Need of YOU.* The illustrations are watercolor paintings by artist, Lesley James. 


Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version. 


*The Lord Has Need of YOU, by Connie Wohlford. Copyright Connie Wohlford, 2019, Hoot Books Publishing.

*The Lord Has Need of YOU can be purchased directly from me via email author@conniewohlford.com or through Amazon,  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1687536104/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0


©Copyright 2020 Connie Wohlford

"Rabboni!"

Holy Week: “Rabboni!” 
                     

“Rabboni!” was Mary’s response when she realized it was her Friend, her Teacher, her Lord, who stood before her—ALIVE! 


In my previous Holy Week blog posts Jesus was joyously welcomed into Jerusalem; He shook things up at the Temple; He blessed children and healed afflicted; He taught about love; we saw the last supper, anguish in Gethsemane, and arrest; we witnessed His crucifixion and burial; now today, we see our risen King!


I hope you will read the accounts of the resurrection of Jesus from all four of the Gospel writers. In my book, The Lord has Need of YOU, I focused on John’s perspective, found in the twentieth chapter of the Gospel of John. 


I tell it like this:


Before the sun came up on the morning of the third day, Jesus’ friend, Mary Magdalene, went to His tomb. She was shocked to see that the stone had been rolled away, leaving the burial place wide open.


She ran and told Peter and John. They pushed into the tomb to find the Lord’s face cloth and linen burial cloth neatly folded. But there was no sign of Jesus’ body. Dragging their feet, the men left and went home.


Mary was left alone. She stood sobbing and looking into the tomb where her Lord had lain.


She could not stop the tears from flowing.


Something or someone was coming into focus. There before her were two bright shining angels—one at the head and the other at the foot, where the body of Jesus had been.


One spoke up and said, “Woman, why are you weeping?”


She replied, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.”


She then turned and saw someone she thought was a gardener. The man spoke: “Why are you weeping? Who are you seeking?”

Still not recognizing Him, she said, “Sir, if you’ve taken Him away, please tell me.”

He looked her in the eye and said, “Mary!”

Then she knew! She knew that her friend—her Savior—was standing there—ALIVE!

Thrilled with surprise, she dropped to the ground at His feet and proclaimed, ‘Rabboni!’ which means teacher.

 

“Do not hold on to me for I have not yet ascended to My Father. Go and tell My brethren.”

Later that same day, as the disciples gathered together, Jesus appeared and stood among them. …

He showed them the wounds on His hands and feet and then said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”



He then breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”



“Go into all the world and preach this Good News to everyone—that all who believe in Me will be saved.”



For several days Jesus appeared to many people throughout the city, so there were lots of people who knew for certain, Jesus was alive!

The big question today is this, “Is Jesus alive to you?” 


In these chaotic days we’re living in, we need life, hope, and peace. Jesus is the only One who can give these things, in a meaning and lasting way.

He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6 ESV).  


Jesus is alive and I pray He’s alive you.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Please read my blog post tomorrow and see the very last event to this day of our risen Lord on this earth.


At the beginning of this week I encouraged you to read, in your Bible, about the last days of Jesus’ life. A lot happened in those few days. Begin your reading at these points: Matthew 21, Mark 11, Luke 19:28, and John 12:12. Go ahead and read through to the end of each of the Gospels between now and Easter Sunday. Be blessed with me as we learn Jesus. 


Each day this week, I’m posting a few highlights from those amazing days in history. Also, I’m using some of the pictures and quotes from my book titled, The Lord has Need of YOU.* The illustrations are watercolor paintings by artist, Lesley James. 


Thank you for traveling with me through these extraordinary days. God bless you. 


Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version. 


*The Lord Has Need of YOU, by Connie Wohlford. Copyright Connie Wohlford, 2019, Hoot Books Publishing.

*The Lord Has Need of YOU can be purchased directly from me via email author@conniewohlford.com or through Amazon,  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1687536104/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0

©Copyright 2020 Connie Wohlford

Holy Week: A torn veil, an earthquake, a bunch of opened graves, & a sealed tomb

Holy Week: A torn veil, an earthquake, a bunch of opened graves, & a sealed tomb             


Let’s look at where we are in this incredible week.


In my previous Holy Week blog posts Jesus was joyously welcomed into Jerusalem; He shook things up at the Temple; He blessed children and healed afflicted; He taught about love; we saw the last supper, anguish in Gethsemane, and arrest; we witnessed His crucifixion and burial.    


There are more Friday happenings I want to mention before moving to Saturday. 


Before Jesus spoke His last words, “It is finished,” he said something else. He said, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” Those are troubling words coming from the Son of God. That’s because He was troubled—even anguished beyond, what we can comprehend. In those three hours Jesus bore the guilt of all the sins of all mankind.


Notice Jesus cried out to God and not to Father. In all other instances, Jesus refers to God as Father. 


But in this instance the Sovereign Holy God passed judgment on sin—all sin—all manner of sin. God was not judging His Son because His Son was guiltless. God was judging your sin and my sin, and the verdict was guilty. Instead of you and me paying our sin debt, Jesus took it all on Himself. Jesus took the punishment that we deserved, and He did it willingly. 


We can never thank Him enough. He paid a debt which none of us could ever pay for ourselves. Thank You, Father God and thank You, Jesus!


Let’s look briefly at a few things that happened at the moment of Jesus’ death.

-      The veil in the Temple was torn from top to bottom. (Matthew 27:51) No human or equipment of that day could have done this. The veil partitioned off the Holy of Holies where only the high priest could go. Jesus is our High Priest and has opened the way for us to go directly to God. He is our Mediator. (1 Timothy 2:5)

-      The earth quaked and the rocks were split. (Matthew 27:51)

-      “and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many” (Matthew 27:52-53).

Isn’t that just totally wild?! This is one of those wonderful Bible tidbits that very few people even know. I have mentioned it in groups, and people respond, “Say what?”! Where does it say that?” Go see for yourself.

  And I so love this: “when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, ‘Truly this was the Son of God’” (Matthew 27:54).



Then when Saturday came the chief priests and Pharisees went to Pilate and said, “Sir, we remember, while He was still alive, how that deceiver said, “After three days I will rise.”   

They asked Pilate to seal the tomb and set a Roman guard for fear that Jesus’ followers would try to steal His body and pretend He had risen. Pilate did as they requested, and Jesus’ grave was secured.  (Matthew 27:63-66)


  

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

At the beginning of this week I encouraged you to read, in your Bible, about the last days of Jesus’ life. A lot happened in those few days. Begin your reading at these points: Matthew 21, Mark 11, Luke 19:28, and John 12:12. Go ahead and read through to the end of each of the Gospels between now and Easter Sunday. Be blessed with me as we learn Jesus. 


Each day this week, I’m posting a few highlights from those amazing days in history. Also, I’m using some of the pictures and quotes from my book titled, The Lord has Need of YOU.* The illustrations are watercolor paintings by artist, Lesley James. 


Thank you for traveling with me through these extraordinary days. God bless you. 


Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version. 


*The Lord Has Need of YOU, by Connie Wohlford. Copyright Connie Wohlford, 2019, Hoot Books Publishing.

*The Lord Has Need of YOU can be purchased directly from me via email author@conniewohlford.com or through Amazon,  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1687536104/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0

©Copyright 2020 Connie Wohlford

Holy Week: Last Supper, Gethsemane, Betrayal, Arrest

Holy Week: Last Supper, Gethsemane, Betrayal, Arrest      

                                                                      

In my previous Holy Week blog posts we witnessed Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, (Palm Sunday); we saw Him shake things up at the Temple; we rejoiced as He blessed children and healed the afflicted; we heard Him teach about love.  


Now let’s move on to Thursday.


On this day the celebration of Passover began.  (FYI- Today, April 9, 2020, is the first day of Passover.)


“Now on the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying to Him, ‘Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?’ And Jesus said, ’Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him. “The Teacher says, ‘My time is at hand; I will keep the Passover at your house with My disciples.’”


“So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them; and they prepared the Passover. When evening had come, He sat down with the twelve. Now as they were eating, He said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.’” (Matthew 26:17-23 NKJV). 

“And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, ‘Take, eat; this is My body.’   

Illustration by Lesley James from 

The Lord has Need of YOU by Connie Wohlford

“Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you; For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.’ 


“And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives” (Matthew 26:26-30 NKJV). 




Quoting from my book, The Lord Has Need of YOU: 


“That night, in a garden called Gethsemane, Jesus and His disciples, except for Judas, went to pray. 


“Hours passed, the torches burned out, and the disciples all nodded off. But Jesus was still praying. He knew He was facing a lot of pain and suffering.

“In the end, He cried out, ‘Oh, My Father, if it is possible, let there be another way. Nevertheless, not My will but Your will be done.’


“Then all of a sudden, the disciples were jolted awake by the clamoring of swords shattering the quiet night. They staggered to their feet and rubbed their eyes to see what was causing the commotion. 


“Judas led soldiers to Jesus and kissed His cheek to show the soldiers He was the one they wanted. Judas had betrayed his best friend. 


“The muscular soldiers grabbed Jesus and led Him away to face the high priest, Caiaphas. Jesus had been accused of breaking laws.


“A few hours later, Jesus was handed over to Pontius Pilate, a Roman government official. Pilate brought Jesus before the people and asked them, ‘What do you want me to do with your King?’” * 


Here we are now, on Friday morning. Please check in tomorrow as we continue in Holy Week.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

At the beginning of this week I encouraged you to read, in your Bible, about the last days of Jesus’ life. Quite a bit happened in those few days. I hope you’re doing that. If not, you can start now. Begin your reading at these points: Matthew 21, Mark 11, Luke 19:28, and John 12:12. Go ahead and read through to the end of each of the Gospels between now and Easter Sunday. Be blessed with me as we learn Jesus. 


Each day this week, I’m posting a few highlights from those amazing days in history. Also, I’m using some of the pictures and quotes from my book titled, The Lord has Need of YOU.* The illustrations are watercolor paintings by artist, Lesley James. 


Thank you for traveling with me through these extraordinary days. God bless you. 


*The Lord Has Need of YOU, by Connie Wohlford. Copyright Connie Wohlford, 2019, Hoot Books Publishing.

*The Lord Has Need of YOU can be purchased directly from me via email author@conniewohlford.com or through Amazon,  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1687536104/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0


©Copyright 2020 Connie Wohlford

Holy Week: Jesus Heals and Blesses

Holy Week: Jesus Heals and Blesses 
   

In my last two blog posts we witnessed Jesus’ warm and enthusiastic welcome into Jerusalem, (Palm Sunday), and then saw Him shock some folks when He came down on the scoundrels for dishonoring God and the Temple. He had already been annoying the Sanhedrin, Pharisees, and Temple authorities and His latest actions only deepened their anger. 


Let’s now move on with Him further into the temple complex. 


After cleansing the temple, Matthew tells us, “Then the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple, and He healed them. But when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that He did, and the children crying out in the temple and saying, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David!’ they were indignant and said to him, ‘Do You hear what these are saying?’ And Jesus said to them, ‘Yes. Have you never read, “Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have perfected praise?”’ (Matthew 21:14-16 NKJV). 

Illustration by Lesley James, from 

The Lord Has Need of  YOU, by Connie Wohlford

Speaking of children, Jesus was known to love and respect the young ones. In Matthew 19:13-14, Jesus rebuked His disciples for trying to shoo away children who were brought to Him. Also, He made quite a strong statement, which is recorded in Matthew 18:5-6. “Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me. But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” (NKJV)




One of my very favorite illustrations in my book, The Lord Has Need of YOU, is the one showing Jesus with the children and the crippled man whom He had healed. 


It reads, “Jesus and His disciples walked further into the Temple complex. Blind and crippled people came to Jesus, and He healed them. Several children ran to see Him, and He greeted and blessed each one.”*


According to Matthew, Jesus and His disciples then went to Bethany for the night. Over the next four days they were back and forth between Jerusalem and Bethany, spending most of the daytime in Jerusalem. At night, they probably lodged in the home of their dear friends, Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. 

Illustration by Lesley James, from 

The Lord Has Need of YOU, by Connie Wohlford

In my book, it’s described this way: “For the next few days, Jesus stayed in the area of Jerusalem, spending much time in the Temple. People listened to Him teach about God and were amazed at His wisdom and His power to heal the sick. The crowds loved to listen to His stories, which helped them understand what the Kingdom of God is like.


“But some of the Jewish leaders were jealous and angry because many of their fellow Jews chose to Follow Jesus.”*  


Tension was building among the Jewish leaders and their disdain for Jesus was growing. Jesus was well aware of their feelings as well as their scheming to kill Him.


As in my previous posts in this Holy Week, I want to encourage you to read in your Bible about the last few days of Jesus’ life. This phase of Jesus’ time on earth begins with His Triumphal Entry, known as Palm Sunday. I posted about that Sunday and on Monday about Him disrupting the temple merchants. If you didn’t read those, I invite you to do so. 


Quite a bit happens in these few days. See for yourself. Begin your reading at these points: Matthew 21, Mark 11, Luke 19:28, and John 12:12. Go ahead and read through to the end of each of the Gospels between now and Easter Sunday. Be blessed with me as we learn Jesus. 


Each day this week, I’m posting just a few highlights from those amazing days in history. Also, I’m using some of the pictures and quotes from my book titled, The Lord has Need of YOU.* The illustrations are watercolor paintings by artist, Lesley James.


Thank you for traveling with me through these amazing days. God bless you. 


*The Lord Has Need of YOU, by Connie Wohlford. Copyright Connie Wohlford, 2019, Hoot Books Publishing.

*The Lord Has Need of YOU can be purchased directly from me via email author@conniewohlford.com or through Amazon,  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1687536104/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0


©Copyright 2020 Connie Wohlford

Jesus would have none of it!

Jesus would have none of it!                


Jesus had just received a joyous and glorious reception upon entering Jerusalem. “Hosanna to the Son of David!” the people shouted. “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD! Hosanna in the highest!” they proclaimed upon His arrival.  (Matthew 11:1-9 NKJV)


But then, just a short time later, He offended some of His fellow Jews. 


Mark’s Gospel records it this way: “Jesus went into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. And He would not allow anyone to carry wares through the temple.


“Then He taught, saying to them, ‘Is it not written, “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations”? But you have made it a den of thieves.’


“And the scribes and chief priests heard it and sought how they might destroy Him; for they feared Him, because all the people were astonished at His teaching.” 


Jesus knew the temple authorities were making unfair profits off what should be legitimate transactions. Also, people were disrespecting the temple by taking shortcuts through the complex to get from one place to another. 

Watercolor painting by artist, Lesley James, in book, 

The Lord Has Need of YOU, by Connie Wohlford

In my book, The Lord Has Need of YOU, I explained it thus: “Most people were there to worship God, but others were exchanging foreign coins for less than they were worth. Some shop keepers were charging too much money for items to be used in worship. Jesus saw that these merchants were stealing from people who just wanted to please God. In His eyes, they were like thieves. 


“He was not going to put up with this and pushed over the merchants’ tables. Everyone stared in disbelief as money and merchandise spilled onto the floor, but they knew in their hearts that Jesus was right. The merchants had dishonored God and His Temple with their actions.  


“Then, Jesus said, ‘It is written, “My house shall be called a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves!”’*  



Jesus was executing His authority, but many of the religious leaders did not recognize His authority. Hatred for Jesus was fermenting and a plot to kill Him was looming.  



As we continue in Holy Week I encourage you to read in your Bible about the last few days of Jesus’ life. This phase of Jesus’ time on earth begins with His Triumphal Entry, known as Palm Sunday. I posted about that yesterday. If you didn’t read it, I invite you to do so. 




Quite a bit happens in these few days. See for yourself. Begin your reading at these points: Matthew 21, Mark 11, Luke 19:28, and John 12:12. Go ahead and read through to the end of each of the Gospels between now and Easter Sunday. Be blessed with me as we learn Jesus. 


Each day this week, I plan to post highlights from those amazing few days in history. Also, I will use some pictures and quotes from my book titled, The Lord has Need of YOU*. The illustrations are watercolor paintings by artist, Lesley James. 


*The Lord Has Need of YOU, by Connie Wohlford. Copyright Connie Wohlford, 2019, Hoot Books Publishing.

*The Lord Has Need of YOU can be purchased directly from me via email author@conniewohlford.com or through Amazon,  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1687536104/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0

©Copyright 2020 Connie Wohlford

Rejoice, your King is coming!

Rejoice, your King is coming!                


“Rejoice, greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey” (Zechariah 9:9 NKJV).


As Christians, we rejoice in reading the accounts of Jesus riding the foal of a donkey into Jerusalem on what we call Palm Sunday. His Triumphal Entry into the city was prophesied by Zechariah, about 400 years before the actual occurrence. Then it is recorded in all four of the Gospels. We can read about it in Matthew 21:1-9, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-44, and John 12:12-19.


My favorite is Matthew’s account: 


“Now when they drew near Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, ‘Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Loose them and bring them to Me. And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, “The Lord has need of them,” and immediately he will send them.’


“All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying; ‘Tell the daughter of Zion, “Behold, your King is coming to you, lowly, and sitting on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey.”’

Illustration by Lesley James in book, 

The Lord Has Need of YOU, by Connie Wohlford

“So the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them. They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, and set Him on them. And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road. Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: ‘Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD! Hosanna in the highest!’” (Matthew 11:1-9 NKJV).




The people were excited to welcome their Messiah—the promised One. They believed He would deliver them from the terrible oppression of the Roman government. In shouting “Hosanna,” which means “save now” they joyfully anticipated freedom now that this promised descendant of King David had finally arrived.     
             

But Jesus, (Yeshua, in Hebrew), had arrived on the scene to do more—much more. 


Have you ever wondered what the owner of the two donkeys thought when the disciples appeared and started untying them? I have. 


Mark says, “But some of those who stood there said to them, ‘What are you doing loosing the colt?’ And they spoke to then just as Jesus had commanded. So they let them go” (Mark 11:5-6 NKJV).  

Illustration by Lesley James in book, 

The Lord Has Need of YOU, by Connie Wohlford

Luke says: “But as they were loosing the colt, the owners of it said to them, ‘Why are you loosing the colt?’ And they said, ‘The Lord has need of him.’ Then they brought him to Jesus” (Luke 19:33-35a NKJV). 



We have no indication that the owner of the donkeys knew Jesus or His disciples. Perhaps he did, but maybe not. That point really doesn’t matter. God was moving His plan along, working through every detail along the way. The disciples simply did as Jesus instructed. Likewise, as we follow through with Jesus’ instructions to us, He will work out details along the way.



Another interesting point about the colt is that he had never been ridden. Vessels and sacrifices used in worship were to be new, flawless, and often “first fruits,” depending on the occasion. The little donkey here had not been previously used (ridden) and was himself carried the Sacrifice.  

Illustration by Lesley James in book, 

The Lord Has Need of YOU, by Connie Wohlford

As we begin Holy Week today with Jesus Triumphal Entry, I encourage you to read in your Bible about the last few days of Jesus’ life. Here is where this phase of Jesus’ time on earth begins. Quite a bit happens in this one week, as you will see, starting here: Matthew 21, Mark 11, Luke 19:28, and John 12:12. Go ahead and read through to the end of each of the Gospels between now and Easter Sunday. Be blessed with me as we learn Jesus.  





Each day this week, I plan to post highlights from those amazing few days in history. Also, I will use some of the pictures from my book titled, The Lord has Need of YOU*. These illustrations are watercolor paintings by artist, Lesley James.



*The Lord Has Need of YOU can be purchased directly from me via email author@conniewohlford.com or through Amazon,  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1687536104/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0


©Copyright 2020 Connie Wohlford