Holy Week is one of the most famous and most popular of Christian observations. Both liturgical and non-liturgical Christian groups have a special place carved out for observation in two areas: Christmas and Easter. Today, let’s reflect on the observation of Holy Week–the week that culminates on Easter Sunday (sometimes referred to now as Resurrection Sunday). Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday (Sunday before Easter Sunday) and ends on Easter Sunday. Holy Week is also the last week of Lent (which commemorates the 40 days of Jesus in the wilderness). Let’s give a bried breakdown of Holy Week.
Palm Sunday
The Sunday before Easter is Palm Sunday. It marks the beginning of Holy Week by commemorating Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem on the colt. The scriptures tell us people lined the path into Jerusalem with their cloaks and palm leaves crying “Hosana, The Son of David.” (Interesting note: Some liturgical churches gather the palm leaves after the service and hold on to them until Februray, where they are burned to make the ashes for Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent.
Holy Monday
Holy Monday commemorates Jesus receiving anointing at Bethany, where he was anointed with spikenard by the woman of ill-repute. In reply to Judas’ remark that the perfume could have been sold to feed the poor, Jesus said, “She is anointing my body for burial. Anywhere the Gospel spreads, so shall the account of this woman anointing me.” Holy Monday also commemorates Jesus cleansing the temple.
Holy Tuesday
Holy Tuesday commemorates Jesus’ return to Jerusalem from Bethany. In Jerusalem, he confronts the priests about the temple cleansing and He teaches in different parables.
Holy (Spy) Wednesday
Holy or Spy Wednesday commemorates Judas prearranging with the priests how they could entrap Jesus. Judas agreed to conspire with the priest for the cost of 30 pieces of silver, the price of a common slave according to the Torah.
Maundy Thursday
Maundy Thursday commemorates Jesus instituting the “Last Supper” or “Communion” with the disciples. It is during this final passover meal with the disciples that He spells out the sacrificial plan for the New Covenant. It is also the night when Judas slips out to finalize his conspiracy with the priests.
After the Lord’s Supper, Jesus leads the disciples into the Garden of Gethsemene to watch and pray with him. He is captured after his pleas to the Father to “Let the cup pass.” After the prayers, angels tended to him.
He is then captured by Judas’ mob and forced into a midnight trial under the Sanhedrin.
Good Friday
Good friday is the day the religious leaders took Jesus to Pilate for a trial conviction requiring execution. Jesus is bounced from Pilate to Herod and back to Pilate, who eventually gives into the demands of the priests and orders Jesus’ execution. Jesus is executed between two thieves for roughly 3-6 hours. He is taken off the cross and hurriedly buried in a tomb just before Sundown, when the Sabbath begins.
Black Saturday
Black Saturday is observed as the Sabbath between the death and resurrection of Jesus. No observant Jew would have been allowed to do anything during the Sabbath. This day also commemorates Jesus’ actions in preaching the gospel to those imprisoned (as mentioned in one of Peter’s Epistles). It is considered Black Saturday because nothing was happneing. It was a day when his disciples were very disillusioned and confused.
Easter Sunday
Easter Sunday is the day Jesus rose from the grave. It was Mary and Martha who had come to the tomb at dawn to finish the embalming and proper burial of Jesus. They discovered the tomb empty and had a conversation with angels and with Jesus himself.
They came back to the disciples and told them what they witnessed. John and Peter went to the tomb and likewise found it empty. For the next 40-50 days (until Pentecost Sunday), Jesus began to appear to the disciples on and off, giving more teaching and instruction. After Jesus had given them ample personal interaction to prove He was resurrected, He ascended to heaven in view of about 500 witnesses.
The Resurrection was real. Jesus teachings proved to be light and life. Those teachings were spread by his disciples and are still changing hearts for the Gospel today.