Holy Week.
Christians all around the globe set this week apart from all others to remember Christ’s entrance into Jerusalem amid shouts of “Hosanna,” His steps to the cross, the foot-washing and Passover celebration, and the impending Resurrection Sunday. Such is why we call it Holy Week. The Father’s love for the world poured through the passion of the Son.
His body broken for us.
His blood shed for us.
For nearly 2,000 years, followers of Jesus have recited these ancient-yet-ever-true words:
THE NICENE CREED
We believe in one God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, Very God of Very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father by whom all things were made; who for us men, and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary, and was made man, and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried, and the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of the Father. And he shall come again with glory to judge both the quick and the dead, whose kingdom shall have no end.
And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life, who proceedeth from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets. And we believe one holy universal and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins. And we look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come.
Amen.
Pause for another moment. Retrace this confession of faith birthed from the Council of Nicea in 325 AD.
These are phrases of deep Gospel truth.
Notice how the Nicene Creed leads us through Creation, Incarnation, Crucifixion, Resurrection, and the coming Kingdom’s Consummation? This week, let’s take time each day to reflect and rejoice in this great announcement of good news to the world.
Love in Christ,
Pastor Michael
