Founded in 1939
Welcome to Baird’s Creek Presbyterian Church, a small community church west of Boone in a beautiful mountain setting.
We encourage you to come visit and worship with us at 9 a.m. every Sunday.
March 29, 2018
Noon
We will remember the Last Supper as we share communion together on the Fifth Day of Holy Week. Join us for this casual, mid-day service, a great opportunity to observe this day of remembrance without driving at night. Bring a friend.
If you can’t make a service in the middle of the day, Pineola Presbyterian Church will offer the same service at 6 pm. You are welcome at either.
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Since we could not gather for church, I thought we could share a devotion for Holy Week. The weather looks better for the rest of the week. I hope to see you for Bible study on Tuesday at noon, for Maundy Thursday worship at noon this Thursday, and for Easter breakfast at 8am on Sunday.
Peace,
Pastor Keith
Read Mark 11:1-11
The crowds were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.” Jesus rode into Jerusalem a rock star. Everybody loved Jesus. The crowds spread their cloaks on the road like a king was coming. They wave leafy branches – palm branches? It was a grand parade. That was Sunday. By Friday, it was a different story.
Read Mark 15:6-15
So what changed in just a few days? What changed from Sunday to Friday? On Sunday it was, “Hosanna!” On Friday, “Crucify him!” What changed?
Judas was there on Sunday as Jesus rode triumphantly into Jerusalem. I am sure he basked in the glow of Jesus celebrity. Peter was there too as were all the disciples. It must have seemed for them that their time had come. Everything was coming to fruition. Yet, things changed for them too.
Read Mark 14:1-11
Judas followed Jesus. He was a devoted disciple. He was there on what we call Palm Sunday, and just a few days later he went to the chief priests in order to betray Jesus. Why? What changed?
Peter – the rock. Peter the impulsive but stalwart disciple. He seems one you can count on – one people would want as a friend. He is loyal and devoted even if he is a bit rash. No one would question where his allegiance lies. Yet, after Jesus was arrested, Peter followed and this is what happened next. (Read Mark 15:66-72)
What changed? In just a matter of hours for Peter – what changed? Peter has the best excuse in my mind. I am sure he was afraid. Fear has a way of making us act in ways contrary to our character. Fear can distort our faith. Still, what about the crowd? What about Judas? What changed?
I think it was because Jesus was not who they wanted him to be. Jesus did not act in a way they thought a Messiah should act. They all wanted something from Jesus, but they did not necessarily want Jesus – all of Jesus. Perhaps they wanted a revolt against Rome. Maybe they wanted Jesus to be a king like David. Jesus was not who they thought Jesus would be and they were not getting what they wanted out of Jesus.
Do you ever feel that way? Have you ever had a time when Jesus turned out to be someone you did not expect? Has Jesus worked in your life or in the world in a way that was a big surprise? Jesus does that you know. He surprises. Easter morning was a big surprise. It seems to me that the surprises are usually for our good even if we don’t see it at the time – even if we don’t like it very much – even if we encounter disappointment along the way. In the end, God’s plan is still better than any plan we have. What do you think?