My favorite title during Holy Week

Holy week is upon us.  Growing up we spent very little time focusing on the days of Holy Week except for Palm Sunday and Resurrection Sunday.  Occasionally we would attend a Good Friday service, but it wasn’t until I grew up that I started learning the tradition of Holy Week.

Throughout the gospels we get to explore the life and events of Jesus, but the vast majority of the gospels focus the most time on the final week of Christ’s life.  The details give us a further understanding of His plans and purposes as He approaches the cross.  Let’s go over some of those details.

Palm Sunday starts Holy week for us, Jesus enters into Jerusalem riding on a donkey.  The people shout Hosanna and wave palm branches in hopes that Jesus will set them free from their oppressors.  Jesus' triumphal entry is recorded in Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-44, and John 12:12-19.

Holy Monday, you will see that a lot of the days this week start with Holy, is that day that Jesus re-enters Jerusalem and proceeds to the temple complex.  On His travels He becomes hungry and notes a fig tree without fruit and uses it as an example of how the new covenant results in fruitful followers.  Once in Jerusalem Jesus is in the temple complex and drives out the money changers.  Monday's events are recorded in Matthew 21:12–22, Mark 11:15–19, Luke 19:45-48, and John 2:13-17.

Holy Tuesday, see the pattern, Jesus travels into Jerusalem again and discusses spiritual matters with the religious authorities.  The Sadducees and Pharisees attempt to set logical and argumentative traps for Jesus so they can stone Him as He leaves Jerusalem, but He evade their questions and then escapes their presence miraculously.  Jesus then instructs His disciples about the end times, His second coming and the final judgment.  The tumultuous events of Tuesday and the Olivet Discourse are recorded in Matthew 21:23–24:51, Mark 11:20–13:37, Luke 20:1–21:36, and John 12:20–38.

Spy Wednesday is the day where we know the least amount, tradition says that on Wednesday Judas negotiated the price of Jesus’ betrayal and planned with the Sanhedrin how to turn Him over.  This tradition is not clear though, it has been argued that after three days Jesus is tired and took time to rest outside the city away from those who sought His life and waited for the proper time.  Judas betrayal can be read in Matthew 26:14-16, Mark 14:10-11, Luke 22:3-6, and John 13:2.

Maundy Thursday, which is my favorite title during Holy week, is the day that Jesus and the disciple celebrate the Passover.  The word Maundy is derived from the Latin word “Maundatum” which means commandment.  The new commandment we are given is to celebrate the Lord’s Supper by taking the bread and cup as followers of Jesus.  Jesus is anointed by Lazarus’ sister Mary and His preparation for death is completed when Judas leave the gathering to betray Him.  Thursday's events are recorded in Matthew 26:17–75, Mark 14:12-72, Luke 22:7-62, and John 13:1-38.

The details of Good Friday take the most time.  Jesus is betrayed by Judas, Peter denies Christ, the disciples abandon Him and He is lead like a lamb to the slaughter.  Jesus silently receives beatings, scourging, accusations and is nailed to the cross and dies.  During this time He speaks His Seven Last Words and finishes His work.  Friday's events are recorded in Matthew 27:1-62, Mark 15:1-47, Luke 22:63-23:56, and John 18:28-19:37.

 

Silent Saturday starts after Jesus is buried in the tomb and we wait for Sunday. Saturday's events are recorded in Matthew 27:62-66, Mark 16:1, Luke 23:56, and John 19:40.

Resurrection Sunday is the day where hope returns.  The tomb is found empty, angels proclaim Jesus’ Resurrection.  Jesus rises from the dead, the disciples are gathered, and He appears to them.  There is much hope in His resurrection.  Sunday's events are recorded in Matthew 28:1-13, Mark 16:1-14, Luke 24:1-49, and John 20:1-23.

Take time to think about what you have done this past week, and dwell upon Christ’s actions on each day.  We can recognize our own sin and need for a perfect sacrifice and then celebrate our risen Savior.  My this Holy Week, draw you closer to God and you find new joy in His work this week.