Holy (Week) Harmony

I took this Jerusalem picture from the roof of the most likely place for the Upper Room when Val and I were there for our 30th wedding anniversary in 2018. If you look closely, you can see the Dome of the Rock on the Temple Mount, where the temple would have been when Jesus and the disciples celebrated the Passover. 

Upper Room Picture

While we can’t know for sure, it’s possible that Jesus was in the exact spot I was standing — facing the exact direction I was facing — when He prayed John 17, 1992 years ago (approximately) this week. Praying what Jesus prayed? Highly recommended.

Palm Sunday

Some of us probably had quite a celebration this last Sunday for Palm Sunday. Others very likely used Sunday to have a more somber look ahead to the events of Holy Week. And for still others, last Sunday was a regular Sunday. With all that diversity, Jesus prays for harmony. We don’t all have to sing the same note, so long as we’re being led by the same Conductor.

Midweek

Some of us will have several extra nights this week of corporate worship: Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and maybe even an Easter Vigil on silent Saturday Eve. Others might observe one or two of those but not all three. And for still others, it will be a regular week. Different instruments, same orchestra. Holy Harmony.

Easter Sunday

Some of us aren’t huge fans of the word Easter, preferring to only call it the Feast of the Resurrection or something similar. Others will add an Easter Egg Hunt to the weekend somewhere in order to welcome neighborhood children to hear the whole story. And probably some won’t make much more mention of the Resurrection this Sunday than most weeks. Do you suppose Jesus has favorites, applauding some and condemning others? I doubt it.

Overall

Some of us put a lot of time and energy into corporate worship; others into prayer; others into discipleship, evangelism, acts of service, justice advocacy, and many more. Which ones sound like Jesus? Yes.

Daily at 17:23

Let’s praise God for all the different Body parts, each doing what God created and shaped them for, all under the direction of the same Head, Jesus. Every week is a good week to do that. I’ve set an alarm for 17:23 (military time), praying John 17:23 every night, because there’s never been a day when praying what Jesus prayed will feel irrelevant. 

Have a Holy Harmony Week, in all its many parts!