The three most sacred days of the Christian liturgical calendar are upon us. Holy Thursday celebrates the final Passover meal when Jesus gathered with his disciples prior to his crucifixion. At this meal the Lord has some very important information to share. The Passover meal was already a special time of Jewish religious observance. But at this meal Jesus revealed a New Covenant. He is offering himself up, body and blood. He knows he is about to undergo a great passion, but he freely offers himself and even more incredibly, tells his followers we are to eat his flesh and blood to receive the strength and grace of God.

Here is the birth of the Eucharist. It is not an easy thing to accept and believe. John's Gospel records that Jesus declares he is the bread of life. All who believe in him will never go hungry or thirsty and the Father's will is for all to look to the Son and believe in him to have eternal life (John 6:35-40)

At the Last Supper of this Passover meal Jesus also showed us much more of what God is like. God is a loving servant. I think so many of us forget that. Jesus washed the feet of his disciples to demonstrate this servant heart.

Love as a Response to Hate

After the Passover meal Jesus went to pray before his passion, after which he was arrested, condemned, suffered and was crucified. He died on Calvary Hill, but he refused to respond with bitterness or hate. He forgave his executioners and all those who ridiculed him. The religious leaders and Roman soldiers taunted him. "He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One."(Luke 23:35 - NIV).

But the end of the story is not the death of Jesus of Nazareth. On the Third Day he rose again. God's power resurrected the Son of Man - the Son of God.

These three days are important. Any believer will testify to that. I find it fascinating that so much of God·s revelation to us comes in threes.

Threefold Revelations

The Trinitarian nature of God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Our own makeup - body, mind and soul. The three prime elements of the earth - fire, water, air. There is the threefold love commandment - love God, love others and love yourself. Even the cycle of life is three parts. We are born, we die and we have life after death.

The power of three is weaved all through life. On these three holy days ask the One who has all power to help you live in union with Him, yourself and others.