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One of the great reassurances of our faith is that no matter where we go, Jesus has gone before us. Whatever dark hour we face, Jesus has faced it before. Nothing that troubles or tries us is outside the experience of our Lord. He is able in every circumstance to help us and uphold us.

The events of Holy Week, the horror and humiliation Jesus endured show us that for sure he has preceded us and shown us the way to hope and victory. That means even to death and the grave. Whatever we go through, we go through with Jesus holding our hand, accompanying us, strengthening us, bringing us out to the other side – to life.

The Bible says in The Message translation in Hebrews 4:14-16 “Now that we know what we have—Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God—let’s not let it slip through our fingers. We don’t have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He’s been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin. So let’s walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help.”

Please pray with me. “Dear Lord, we have decided to follow Jesus. There is no turning back. He alone knows the path. Following him we will never become lost. This path may be treacherous and rocky, if we slip, he picks us up and brushes us off and we walk on. Thorns and brambles may rip us as we walk through them, but he heals every wound. The sun may beat down on us, but he helps us persevere. Rain may lash and chill us, but he is our strength and shield till the sun reappears. There is no place on earth we can go that he has not been. Even the grave. Which could not hold him and thanks to him cannot hold us either. Make us good followers who please him with our fidelity. We ask in his name. Amen.”