Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - Mar/85

Contributor - Peggy Humby

Title - Guest Editorial: Will You Be There?

Topic - Editorial

What does Holy Week mean to you?

Is Easter Sunday a priority in your home? I bet it is, but have you thought about the events leading up to Easter Sunday? There had to be a crucifixion before there could be a resurrection.

A lot is said by members of our denomination about commitment. We say "the kids today aren't as committed as we were at that age . . . " Will You Be There With Them?

How can they learn about commitment except from us? If we pay only lip service to the events before Easter Sunday - are they going to do otherwise?

The events of Holy Week aye precious. Do you realize that the man we call Jesus the Christ and whom we have made a decision to follow and pattern our lives after, had only 3 years of active ministry and ONE WEEK to make an impression on his future followers? Theologians may argue with the accuracy of that last statement, but regardless, I will stick to my theory that during that last week in Jerusalem, Jesus was culminating his ministry and trying to impress upon his disciples the importance of what was taking place and establishing customs for future generations of Christians that would make his life and teachings more real to them.

Events during that last week included the Last Supper - a topic that has been the subject of paintings, poems and dramas through the ages, an event still revered by the Jews. it is the feast of the Passover, when, even today Jews try to get to their homes to celebrate with their families. By Christians it is revered as the first time Jesus broke the bread and blessed the wine and told the disciples to. . . "do this as oft as ye shall eat/drink in remembrance of me . . ."

Many Christian churches, including our own denomination, celebrate the Last Supper with communal fellowship. Will You Be There?

After that supper he took three of his disciples with him to the garden while he prayed. They slept and he chastised them saying, "Could you not watch with me one hour?" Will You Be Sleeping?

Good Friday Services are solemn, sad occasions and represent the vigil the friends of Jesus kept at the Cross and are an awesome reminder of the suffering our Lord made for our sakes. Will You Be There?

Easter Sunday and the Resurrection: in some churches a beautiful resurrection service is preceded by a sunrise ceremony. I Am Sure You Will Be There!

What am I saying? I am asking a question of all of us - are we real committed Christians, devoted to following Christ and trying to be like him? I can see you all now bristling... "who does she think she is?.. . of course I am ... I have devotions every day ... I teach my children about the Bible ... I attend Sunday School with them ... etc.... etc...... but again I challenge you - Will You Be There?

In the early days Christ asked his disciples to give up everything to follow him; Peter left a wife and family, Matthew a lucrative tax collecting business and Luke a thriving practice. Today, the Lord doesn't want us to give up jobs and families to follow him. He wants us to commit our lives to him, to be faithful stewards, attending Church regularly, proclaiming his word and living a full Christian life at work and at play. So when the events of Holy Week come around once a year, Where Are We?

We should be there with him, reliving those last bittersweet days and hours. of course, we must go to work, go to school, shop, prepare for visitors and visits, but is it asking too much of us to put HIM on that list too? For instance, does your church have a Maundy Thursday service or Good Friday service? Plan to attend, let HIM be the number one priority. Your husband works late and the service is in the evening?

Go straight from work; eat later. The kids have practices of one kind or another; couldn't they miss it for once? This, friends, is what I am talking about; commitment and teaching your children about commitment.

In the Christian faith more people attend church on Christmas Day and Easter Monday than at any other time in the church year. I am sure that our Lord is pleased that so many of his flock attend these services, but I am also sure he weeps for those who only see Easter and Christmas as important and he sadly shakes his head "Why Weren't You There?"

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