Holy Week
When Jesus entered the temple courts, he began to drive out those who were selling.
“It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be a house of prayer’; but you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’” Every day he was teaching at the temple. But the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the leaders among the people were trying to kill him.
Yet they could not find any way to do it, because all the people hung on his words.
-Luke 19:45-48
Holy Week is filled with the full range of emotions. We recount the cheering crowds, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” as Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. We wave our palm branches and sing “Hosanna!” in worship. But very quickly the mood changes. We read of Jesus driving out those who were selling in the temple courts. He was making enemies of the chief priests and teachers of the law. Even Jesus’ own disciples rebuked him when he told them that he must suffer. Judas betrayed him. Peter denied even knowing Jesus. The other disciples ran away and abandoned him in his most dire moments.
Through it all, Jesus remained resolute. Even in the garden of Gethsemane, in his prayer, “If it is your will, take this cup from me. Not my will, but yours be done.” Jesus knew what he must face. He was willing to become obedient unto death. Even death on a cross! Jesus also knew that in the end, God’s will was for us to be reconciled. God’s will was not the perceived failure of the cross. It was the power of resurrection!
In this Holy Week I encourage you to join us as we experience the full range of emotions. We shift from the celebration of Palm Sunday to fear and uncertainty in the Garden of Gethsemane. We shift from the comfort and blessing of the Upper Room at the Last Supper on Thursday to the sorrow of betrayal, denial, and suffering of our Lord on Good Friday. Finally, after facing the death of Jesus, we rejoice once more in Resurrection Sunday on Easter morning! It’s a full week, my friends. Please join us as we walk the road from the Upper Room to the cross and the empty tomb together.
Lord, You ride in with humble glory, and we wave our palm branches, shouting and dancing our prayer of Hosanna. We join our voices and hearts with the crowd, hoping that you will do what we expect of you. But your way is not always glorious, not always cheering crowds, not always a parade of victory. Forgive us for failing to follow where you walk, Lord. Forgive us for our doubts and fears. Forgive our sins. Lead us, Lord, to know your way, and to walk with you on any road you travel. Amen.
Holy Week Services:
April 17 – Maundy Thursday service 7pm in Garden Sanctuary
April 18 – Good Friday service 7pm in Main Sanctuary
April 20 – Easter Sunday worship, breakfast, egg hunt, celebration!
