Holy Week: Jesus Teaches Love

Holy Week: Jesus Teaches Love       


In my last three blog posts we witnessed Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, (Palm Sunday); saw Him shake things up at the Temple; rejoiced as He blessed children and healed the afflicted.  


Now let’s move on with Him into mid-week.


Jesus continued to teach about what the Kingdom of God is like. In parable after parable He illustrated God, His Kingdom, and man’s flawed propensities. He also continued to heal the sick and afflicted, showing love and compassion toward people. Still, the religious leaders wanted Him gone. 


One of the Pharisees, who was a lawyer, approached Jesus and asked, “’Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?’ 


“Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’


“’This is the first and great commandment and the second is like it: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets’” (Matthew 22:36-40 NKJV).  

Illustration by Lesley James, from 

The Lord Has Need of YOU, by Connie wohlford

Have you meditated on that passage lately? 


Jesus pointed out that if we would love in the way He described we would be fulfilling all of the Law, which includes the Ten Commandments, and all of the Prophets. We would be fulfilling everything that the statutes of God require. 


Let’s go back to the essence of love. Jesus also said, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved” (John 3:16-17 NKJV). 


The center of God’s character is love. God is love. 


Jesus came to Earth because of that love and He was (and is) walking, talking perfect love. In just a couple of days that perfect love would be nailed to a cross as the sacrificial Lamb of God. He would take the punishment we each deserve for the sins we’ve each committed. 


As we approach Resurrection Sunday, lets ponder on that perfect love.


As followers of Jesus—we who are in Christ—lets consider the words of the beloved disciple, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love” (1 John 4:7-8 NKJV). 


With God’s help, by His Spirit in us, we can love like Jesus. 


This Holy Week, I again want to encourage you to read, in your Bible, about the last days of Jesus’ life. 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 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

My NEW BOOK Just in Time for Christmas

My NEW BOOK Just in Time for Christmas



Hot off the press is my new children’s book, The Lord has Need of YOU. 
Yes, its categorized for children, but many adults are getting it for themselves because they love the story and the art. 

Jesus enters Jerusalem - watercolor by Lesley James

Book description:

     Join in with donkeys, Elpis and Kavod, and experience the last days of Jesus’ life on earth prior to His ascension. Having known each other since childhood, Elpis and Jesus are reunited in a unique and unexpected way.

     Through the eyes of these loveable donkeys, The Lord Has Need of You shows the true Bible account of Jesus’ earthly life from His triumphal entry into Jerusalem to His ascension back to Heaven after rising from the dead. It includes many other occurrences during Holy Week and thereafter, depicting grace and restoration that results. Except for the donkeys’ participation in Jesus’ triumphal entry, they are not part of the true account of these events. The author has included them in the story to help captivate children’s attention as they learn about Jesus. 

     Walk alongside Elpis (meaning hope) and Kavod (meaning glory) and share in the joy of knowing Jesus on a personal level. Feel the sadness of His crucifixion. Then rejoice with the donkeys, the disciples, and others at the resurrection of the Jesus, the Messiah, bringing redemption and eternal life to the world. Stand amazed with His followers at the risen Lord as He ascends to Heaven, rejoicing at the promise of His eventual return.

     This telling of the most significant event thus far in history is carried along pictorially with the beautiful watercolor paintings of Virginia artist, Lesley James. Children and adults alike will be blessed by her art, by the story of Jesus, and by the personal challenge to step out in faith because the Lord has need of you. 

Jesus w- children -watercolor by Lesley James

I’m so thrilled with this book. For several years I have been anticipated its completion and release. I’ve received many wonderful comments from people who have gotten the book. The extraordinary illustrations are watercolor paintings by Virginia artist, Lesley James.


If you would like to order a signed, personalized copy, contact me via email, author@conniewohlford.com 
You may pay with credit card or PayPal. 

The cost is $10.00 each, plus shipping, (and sales tax in Virginia). It is also available on Amazon.

The Lord Has Need of YOU by Connie Wohlford

This book will add a touch of eternity to your Christmas, telling/showing the reason our Lord Jesus came to earth that night in Bethlehem. It’s a fantastic gift, stocking stuffer, or addition to a gift basket and would even be nice gift for your Sunday School teacher or Sunday School students. 


Thank you for checking it out. God bless you and Merry Christmas to you and yours!

©Connie Wohlford 2019