A Holy Week

A Holy Week
Matthew 21:1-11

The week that begins on Palm Sunday, and ends on the following Saturday, is the most important week in the life of Jesus. For Christians it is also the most important week in human history. It is called Holy Week because it is different, set apart, and sacred.

The week begins with a Palm Sunday parade. Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey. There are palm branches waving, coats lying on the road, and “Hosanna!” is shouted. History tells us that this was a traditional celebration of the entrance of a powerful leader, although most leaders probably rode a horse instead of a donkey. The crowd thought they were welcoming a messiah, but what kind of messiah was he? Would he exercise political power or servant power? The crowd was hoping for a political messiah who would set them free, but Jesus knew that this was the beginning of the end of his life here on earth. He knew that the shouts of “Hosanna!” would soon turn to shouts of “Crucify him!”. The end was near.

The week includes a Thursday supper, known as the Last Supper. It was a Passover meal, one that was first celebrated centuries earlier in the days of Moses. It was a traditional Jewish meal during which the people were reminded that God had saved their ancestors from slavery in Egypt, and had brought them to the Promised Land. After the meal, Jesus took the unleavened bread and a cup of wine and gave them, and the Passover meal, new meaning. While holding the bread he said, “This is my body given for you.” And then he took the cup and said, “This is my blood given for you.” This meal marked a new beginning for the followers of Jesus. After his death and resurrection they would receive the bread and cup and hear the words of Jesus, “Do this in remembrance of me.”

Thursday of Holy Week also includes the scenes in the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus prayed. While the disciples sleep, Jesus prayed, “Not my will, but Thine be done.” While he was praying, and the disciples sleeping, the soldiers came and arrested him. Jesus didn’t resist, and during his trial he was quiet. The verdict was guilty; the sentence was death.

Friday is the day of crucifixion and death. According to the Gospels, it was a painful and agonizing death for Jesus. While hanging on the cross, Jesus offers forgiveness and hope. He prays for forgiveness for those who have caused his death. “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” He gives a hopeful promise to one who is crucified at the same time. “Today you will be with me in paradise.” Jesus dies that afternoon and is buried before the sun sets.

The week ends on silent Saturday.

A new week begins on Easter Sunday. It is a new beginning for Jesus and his followers.

Holy Week reminds us that the Son of God humbled himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross. (Philippians 2:5-11) Those first Palm Sunday participants didn’t know that it was the beginning of the most important week in history. But we know, and we can say “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”