British Royals’ Easter Travel
Many will have travel plans and various ways of observing Easter this weekend. The Cambridge family of three will still be Down Under, Queen Elizabeth will participate in the Maundy Thursday service at Blackburn Cathedral in Lancashire, while the rest of the Royal family will head to Windsor Castle to greet The Queen when she arrives from Blackburn for her month-long stay for Easter Court. The word “Maundy” is from the Latin word mandatum, meaning commandment, and refers to the Last Supper when Jesus gave His disciples a new commandment, “Love one another”. So, in Blackburn, The Queen will keep the 13th century tradition of Edward I, and the spirit of the great commandment, by having alms (money) given to senior citizens. Until 1689, the Kings and Queens of England would also wash the feet of the poor at Westminster Abbey to demonstrate what Jesus, the King of Kings, did for His disciples at the Last Supper.
The alms pouches are in the platter on the yeoman’s head yeomanoftheguard.com
The Yeoman of the Guard will give out pouches of money to 88 men and 88 women, the same number as her age. Each senior will receive a red pouch of money intended for food and clothing and a commemorative coin, probably to celebrate the birth of Prince George. The white pouch will have 88pence, a nod to her age.
alms pouches wikipedia.org
Jesus’ Easter Travel
Prior to the Passover, Jesus was in Ephraim taking cover from those who wished to kill Him. Six days before Passover He came closer to Jerusalem and stayed in Bethany (a ‘suburb’ of Jerusalem), where He raised Lazarus. Then, He made His way into Jerusalem for His final days. Even in the city, at the dark of night, He traveled quite a bit, going from a Last Supper loft for the first communion, feet washing, final instructions and prayers, to the Mount of Olives to pray some more and be arrested, then to Annas’ house, Caiaphas’ house, and Pilate’s palace for questioning, then to the Governor’s city house for torture by the soldiers, to Golgotha for mocking and crucifixion, and finally to a new tomb. As discussed in the previous post, Jesus was meticulous in carrying out God’s plan, which included all of this torture-filled travel. God designed His itinerary in order to fulfill Old Testament scripture about sacrifice, atonement, Passover, and Messiah. Everything, every event, every word, and every action had significance.
The most significant event of all is, of course, the Resurrection. The guards kept watch, Mary Magdalene came in respect, love and grief, and an angel was present to explain and direct her about the miracle of all miracles. The disciples were grieving in town, fearful of what would happen next. Then, Mary Magdalene finds the disciples to tell them the Good (unbelievable) News, and Jesus was not far behind her to show the boys the Good News Himself. He tells them, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” (John 20:21) Matthew quotes Jesus as saying, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19) That is quite an itinerary for all who follow Him!
Your Easter Travels
Tradition will dictate what most families will do this weekend. Will your travels take you to the Easter bunny more often than to the Cross? Will the tradition you pass on to the next generation be about the contents of plastic eggs, or the empty tomb? No matter if you travel on a plane, in a car across town, or barefoot to the backyard, how will you make your Easter travels significant? Here are five suggestions for your itinerary:
Immerse yourself in the worship service offerings this week. (Maundy Thursday service, Good Friday service, Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday) Truly transport your mind to Jerusalem as scripture is read and actively interpreted.
Read all four Gospel passage accounts of The Last Supper through the Resurrection. Note details amplified by each gospel writer, how harmonious they are, and decide which one makes the scene most clear to you. (Matthew 26-28, Mark 14-16, Luke 22-24, John 13-21)
Identify who you say Jesus is. He spent three years teaching and demonstrating who He is. He spent His last three days, not only continuing this pattern, but also paying the full cost of the sins of the world for all time. Make a list of who you identify Jesus as, and compare this list to what the Bible says.
Tell someone the Gospel Easter account as you know it through scripture. “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” John 20:21 says it all! Or, “Just do it”, says Nike. This final commandment is your proverbial “next trip” as you continue in your Christian journey. The Christian who simply gains knowledge about God, and does not share it with others, is essentially staying home. To truly be a Christian, one must “be sent out” as John says. You are sent out as Jesus was sent out, to teach and show who He is to “all nations”, i.e. everyone.
Reflect on your Christian “travels”. Think about where you first learned about Jesus, how God has helped you to grow, what you have learned about the Cross, and what does God want you to do next.
Use tradition as a vehicle to go to a new place God has for you to experience this Easter. Add to your tradition something(s) that will take your love of the Lord with all your heart, your soul, your mind and your strength (the first commandment) to travel closer to loving your neighbor as yourself (the second commandment) by being sent out (the Great Commission).
May your heart and soul travel far this weekend, and may God give you your next itinerary.
fineartamerica.com
Happy Easter!
livingroyallytoday 