Margaret Is Free

Our neighbor lady is free from her pain. She suffered for one decade with an ailment that doctor’s finally diagnosed in the past few months. This morning her Lord called her home. Her family will miss her terribly. She and her husband have five living children—one, a baby girl, died shortly after birth.

We have been neighbors for 33 years. We watched the younger three children grow up. We knew when the middle son got engaged. His fiancée and Margaret walked over to our house to show us the ring. We attended the second oldest son’s first wedding. They asked me to serve at their daughter’s reception. The youngest son visited them one day a few years ago; as I came out the door, headed for my car, I thought that man looked familiar. He waved and called out to me. Just like when he was a kid.

She and her husband, Earl, were more than neighbors to us. They were also friends. If we had an emergency or Jim was working on a project around our house, all he had to do was call and ask Earl for his help.

Long before she became ill, she made each new grandchild a baby quilt. She had 12 grandchildren, one of which was adopted. She loved to sew. It was her desire to make each of these precious grandchildren a youth quilt. I don’t know if she got to complete them.

In our living room hangs a quilt block she made for us one Christmas. In the center is a picture of the sculpture “End of the Trail” by James Earl Frazer. Surrounding the art work are red, off white and blue squares of fabric. On each corner of the centerpiece are metal images of two saguaro cacti and two coyotes, like images in opposite corners. I have been studying this wall hanging a lot lately, now I know why. It has become very precious to me.

She played the piano. Their children inherited the musical talent from her. Most of the five were in either orchestra or marching band. She played the piano for their church.

Her husband kept her home throughout her illness. He stood by her through this entire time. They recently celebrated 52 years of marriage.

They loved the Lord. Even when they were not involved in a church, they taught their children God’s way. Their family is a strong, close family. All four sons and the daughter attended college or a trade school. Their daughter owns her own beauty shop.

I am doing some research on the grief process for a project I want to do. I know we grieve because we love. I also know God’s word tells us to “Grieve not as one without hope.” I know Margaret’s family and her church family, and my family are grieving but with the hope we will see her again.

Salome

She accompanied her son and her sister to the hill. They followed the crowd who brought her nephew to that evil place.

Her presence there could have puzzled those who knew her. Jesus had rebuked her when she requested special favors for her two sons, James and John.

But now, that didn't keep her away from Mary—away from being there for Jesus at that time. All she could do was stand there, watching and thinking. He told the truth, my sons couldn't withstand anything like this. They told Him they could drink the same cup as He. But, now I know they couldn't.
My sister will be so lonely without Him. Although He traveled a lot, she cared for and watched over Him when she could.

What? Did I hear right? Did Jesus entrust Mary to my John? I will be in James' home and Mary my dear sister will be in John's. We will be able to visit one another. Jesus loves my sister and He loves my son, John.

Cleansing the Temple

(John 2:13-17;Matthew 21:12-17)

It was late in the day. He had come into Jerusalem, greeted by a jubilant crowd. He arrived at the Temple. Those in the crowd followed behind Him and awaited His next movement.

Jesus stepped into the Court of the Gentiles and looked around. He slowly passed into the Court of Women, then entered the Court of Men. The Teacher stepped into the Inner Court with caution. He watched in silence as the Priest accepted offerings from some; rejecting sacrifices from others. Those whose gifts weren't accepted left only to return shortly with ones more acceptable.

He wearily bowed His head in shame. Jesus knew He needed the Father's fellowship and guidance. The Master had not spoken since he entered the outer court. His heart broke when He saw the goings-on in the name of the Father.

As He departed the Temple His thoughts were,”Is it for these I was sent? Is it for these I must die?”

The next day Jesus returned to the Temple and cleared out those who had desecrated his Father's house.

Mary

His mother stood in the crowd, watching as her son was placed on a cross. This is the way the government deals with criminals. She thought as they raised the cross and dropped it in the ground. THUD.

Mary recalled the visitors coming to the stable behind the inn so long ago in Bethlehem when Jesus was born. They all had stories of signs and the shepherds told of the visit by all those angels.

Next, she remembered when she and Joseph took their son to the Temple in Jerusalem eight days later for his purification. Simeon, a holy man they met in the Temple, had told her Jesus “was destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel and to be a sign to be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many would be revealed.” Then, he told her a sword would pierce her heart. She wondered if this was what he meant.

Mary Magdalene

(Mark 16:9-11; John 20:10-18)

When she met Jesus, seven demons lived inside her. The Master healed her. She appreciated being freed from those evil spirits plaguing her body, mind, and life. She desired to help the Teacher as He ministered to those He met. She seemed to be wealthy. No one knows her occupation. She became a follower of Christ, contributing to the needs of the ministry and those who traveled with Jesus.

Mary Magdalene and the other women watched as Jesus died on the cross. She and Mary, His mother, witnessed Joseph of Arimathea place Jesus into the tomb. After the Sabbath, she and her two friends, Mary and Salome, returned to the tomb. Their concern was about the huge stone Joseph had placed over the entrance. Their mission was to finish the burial preparation of Jesus.

In John's interpretation, Mary mistook Jesus for the gardener. She asked what has been done with Him. It isn't until he called her by name that she realized it is her Teacher. She then runs to find the disciples to tell them, “I have seen the Lord.”

Gethsemane

(Luke 21:37; 22:39)

A wealthy citizen of Jerusalem permitted Jesus the use of his private garden when the Master visited the city. Our Lord made use of the garden, called Gethsemane each day during the week of Passover.

The garden must have been a serene place. Jesus surely found his favorite spot there. Jesus bid most of the disciples who escorted Him to stay in one area. He requested those to whom He was closest to follow him further into the garden. As the foursome came to another spot, the Teacher asked the three others to wait and pray for him. He went on a ways and fell on His knees and began to pray.

Why did Christ chose to go to the garden to pray? Could He have wanted to feel close to the Father? We know He was agonizing over what lay ahead for Him. He could have prayed anywhere else in the city—in the upper room,at the temple,or any where he chose.

The upper room was offered to Peter and James for a few hours. Those who were there could have had a time of community prayer. The Temple fell under the control of the priests, who were plotting to kill Him.

Jesus chose the one place where He could be alone with his Father. A place where the two of them had spent quality time together.

The Triumphal Entry

It resembled a parade. Jesus' disciples found a donkey colt for Him to ride. They covered the animal's back with their coats, making a place for Jesus to sit. People led Him through the Bethpage-Bethany area. Others followed the Teacher, waving their coats or Palm branches. Some placed their cloaks on the ground before Him. Others laid Palm branches on the path ahead of the Master.

The crowd called out jubilantly. “Hosanna!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.” The religious leaders were terrified. Because of what they saw the Saducees and Pharisees started looking for ways to kill Jesus.

The people in the crowd were wanting Jesus to become an earthly king. This was not why God sent Him to earth. They didn't understand God's will for His Son. The priests and the rulers of the region turned them into an angry mob.