You send a two page email to a long distance friend, and all but the last 6 or 7 lines you are describing a single issue in your life at the moment. Do you think your friend would get the impression that this issue is important to you?
Would you believe that almost half of the Gospel of John in the Bible deals with the final week of Jesus’ life? About a third of each of the other gospels – Matthew, Mark, and Luke – are set aside for Holy Week as well.
Important? Yes! What biography that you’ve read spends this much time on the last week of its subject’s life? Not even Martin Luther King Jr.’s biography does that, and he died a violent and meaningful death.
No wonder Christians call it “holy,” a word meaning “special” or “set apart for a sacred purpose.”
Something special is happening this week. It began this past (Palm) Sunday, and continues through this coming (Easter) Sunday. Only two of the gospels mention the events of Jesus’ birth but all four spend many pages recalling his last week. We call it Holy Week. Here’s an overview:
Palm Sunday – Jesus parades into Jerusalem, the home territory of his enemies, and receives cheers of support from the Passover pilgrims in town for the celebration. This, according to his plan, bolsters his disciples for the upcoming trauma and also enrages his enemies to put the plans into swift motion for his death.
Jesus weeps over the rejection he receives from those he would rather welcome into his love, makes his way to the temple and then retires to Bethany (a suburb village of Jerusalem) to stay with friends for the night. It is not yet time for him to be arrested.
Angry Monday – Jesus returns to Jerusalem and curses a barren fig tree and also the empty-hearted hypocrisy of those making money in the temple. He tosses their tables upside down and harasses them in all holiness. He then heals people and returns to Bethany again, since it is not yet his time to be arrested.
Busy Tuesday – As its name implies, Tuesday of Holy Week was nonstop for Jesus. He returns to Jerusalem, teaches in the temple, responds to those who question his authority, condemns those who rely on themselves to earn forgiveness, makes predictions about the fate of Jerusalem, prays to his Father, and generally instigates the displeasure of his enemies while bringing comfort to those who believe in him.
Silent Wednesday – There is nothing recorded in the Bible about Jesus’ activities on this day.
Maundy Thursday – From the Latin word for “command,” the word “Maundy” brings to mind the “new command” that Jesus gave his disciples in the upper room to love one another as inspired by his sacrificial love. He washes his disciples’ feet, institutes Holy Communion, reaches out to his betrayer, prays in Gethsemane, and is finally arrested.
Good Friday – Evidence that even the most terrible event in life can actually be good. God’s beloved creatures kill their maker and Savior. Jesus is put on Jewish trial, falsely accused, brought before Pontius Pilate, beaten, mocked, crucified, dies, and is buried.
Before his death he declares “It is finished,” as a testimony to the completion of the work of forgiveness. He did it all and there is none left for us to do.
That is what makes this Friday good. Though our forgiveness wasn’t cheap, it is and always will be free.
Holy Saturday, when the body of Jesus lies in the tomb, is only a brief prelude to the drama of Easter Sunday when he comes back to life in full victory.
Grow deeper in your faith during Holy Week, with special personal Bible readings, connecting with your small group, and attending special worship services at your church.
Grow wider by extending invitations to your friends, inviting them to experience the most important week in the history of the world. Ask them to join you on Easter Sunday.
PRAYER: Dear Jesus, if the intensity of the drama you experienced in your final week is dulled to me, I pray that you might find a way for me to experience once more its emotion, urgency, bloodthirst, passion, sacrifice, tragedy and love. Fill my faith with wonder, with reflection, and with the joy that you are my personal Savior. Amen.
EVANGELISM ACTION: Who are you inviting to church on Easter Sunday? Start praying now for God to open opportunities, for you to notice them, and then for your kind invitation to bless someone who needs more Jesus.