Passion Week

 

As Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us.”… Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed Him.

—Matthew 20:29-30, 34.

As we begin this Passion Week, may we experience a deep gratitude for all that Jesus has done for us. The entirety of His death on the cross was motivated by his “com-passion” (with passion). He saw the darkness of people’s minds and their refusal to see and hear the message he shared with them. As He approached Jerusalem on Palm Sunday morning, He wept over Jerusalem. Scripture records this striking event in Luke 19:41-42:

As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes.”

Then again, as the Scripture verses at the beginning of this blog post state, even while on His way that Palm Sunday, amidst the large crowd, He listened to the cries for mercy from two blind men. Hearing their requests, Jesus had compassion on them, and healed them.

In the Old Testament, “compassion” was symbolized by the Mercy Seat within the Holy of Holies of the Tabernacle. Once a year, the High Priest entered this sacred place to offer a sacrifice for the sins of the Jewish people.

The Mercy Seat—the “hilasterion”—indicated to the people of God that He fully sympathized with their sin, their pain, and their sorrows. An English translation of the New Testament Greek text found in Romans 3:25 reads as follows:¹

[Jesus Christ] Whom God set forth to be a propitiation [mercy seat] through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

The moment Jesus took His last breath, Scripture records that the veil in the Temple was torn in two. That which had previously been available only to the priests—and only under special ceremonial rules—was now available to all people.

Because of Jesus’ death, we all now have access to the Mercy Seat. The mercy and love of God, through Christ, is now available to all those whom God calls to Himself. He means for all those He calls to enter His divine Presence and cry out for His mercy to be poured out on us.

In these days of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus), if you will, imagine that we, His people, crowd around Him as He enters the city this Palm Sunday. What should we cry for, if not for His mercy?

In reading an on-line devotional, I came upon this prayer and thought it fitting for us to pray during this time. I urge each of us to pray this prayer, over and often, during the days of this “Com-Passion Week.”²

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me a sinner.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on all those who are suffering with the Coronavirus.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on those who are mourning the loss of loved ones who have died as a result of the Coronavirus.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on all those who are caring with love and sacrifice for the sick wherever they are found, whether they are at home or in hospitals, and keep them by Your grace.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, defend and protect those who are suffering financial hardship as a result of this pandemic.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, grant wisdom to our leaders as they struggle to meet the daily demands of this disease.

Lord Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, have mercy upon your world at this difficult time. For to You, our God, belong all praise and honor and glory forever and ever!

Amen.

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1 Quoted by Beth Moore in Moore, Beth. A Woman’s Heart. Nashville, TN: LifeWay Press, 1995. p. 181.

2 Krammes, Barry. Biola University On-line Lenten Devotional. La Mirada, CA: Biola University Center for Christianity Culture and the Arts, 2020.