Real Hope: The Passion - Week 2Sample

## Jesus Meets The Women Of Jerusalem The final hours of Jesus’ life on earth were both heartbreaking and beautiful. When we read how Jesus was treated on the way to the cross, our hearts break knowing that it happened because of His unwavering love for us. Abandoned, tortured, and crucified, Jesus never lost sight of His purpose – for us to be reconciled with God. But we also see the depth of Jesus’ love for us. On His way to the cross, surrounded by people both mocking and lamenting Him, Jesus had compassion. He looked to the women mourning Him and reminded them to look beyond what they saw and to weep for those who still didn’t know Him. And He used Himself as an example of what was to come; if He was innocent and blameless, treated this way, what lay ahead for those who willingly rejected Him? In His final hours, Jesus urged them to open their hearts and know He was God. And He is still doing it today. As we await His return, Jesus still pleads with humanity to see that His death wasn’t in vain but was a way for us to be reconciled to the Father. As we prepare our hearts for Easter, may we look up and give thanks for love so deep and strong that it overcame death. And may we look around us and share Jesus with those who don’t know Him yet. #### Written by LEILA ARMSTRONG