Holy Week: An Introduction
Today is Palm Sunday, which marks the beginning of Holy Week. This is the time of year where Christians reflect upon the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The original Holy Week occurred during the time of Passover (though at the time it wasn’t Holy Week. It wasn’t until around the 4th century that the observation of Holy Week started). The Gospels record Jesus and His disciples heading to Jerusalem in order to observe Passover the week leading up to His death and resurrection. For the full story of the Passover, please read Exodus 11 – 12.
Looking at the elements of the Passover, it is not hard to recognize that it was a type or foreshadowing of things to come through the death and resurrection of Jesus. Just as God protected the Israelites from the destroyer by having them paint their doorposts with blood, we are covered by the blood of Christ, which saves us from death. God had the Israelites sacrifice an unblemished lamb. John the Baptist called Jesus the “Lamb of God” in John 1. Jesus was “unblemished,” and He was sacrificed for us.
Though we may not have an hour by hour or even day by day account of Holy Week, there’s enough information in the Gospels to understand what Jesus and His disciples did during that time. Of course, Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday, the day Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey as others praised Him and laid palm branches out before Him. This is also known as the “Triumphal Entry” in the Gospels. Holy Monday – Holy Wednesday, Jesus taught in the Temple, endured questioning by the Pharisees and Scribes, and healed people, among other things. Maundy Thursday (“maundy” means “mandate, or commandment” because Jesus commanded His disciples to love God, to love one another, and to abide in Him) is the day Jesus celebrated the Passover Seder with His disciples. He also revealed Judas as the one who would betray Him and instituted the Lord’s Supper. Good Friday is the day Jesus was arrested and faced His accusers. Of course, it was also the day He was crucified and buried. Holy Saturday, the Israelites observed the Sabbath. Resurrection Sunday, Jesus rose from the grave.
During this next week, I will post a devotion each day to encourage you throughout this time of reflection. My hope for you is that these posts will draw you closer to Christ and make you treasure Him even more. I pray as you read through the story of Holy Week you will see it with new eyes rather than as “the same old story” preached every year at this time. Don’t let this story grow old. Reflect on it and praise God for His immense love for us. May your heart and soul grow full of gratitude and worship for the new life we’ve been given through Christ’s sacrifice.
Image by congerdesign from Pixabay
