Holy Week
By Mrs. Boynton | Bible Studies, Latin, History, Science, Math, Music
While the actual timeline of Jesus Christ’s week leading up to the resurrection is disputed by Bible scholars, there is a timeline traditionally commemorated by Christians around the world. These observances are commonly referred to as Holy Week.
Palm Sunday, observed the Sunday before Easter, marks the day of Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
Mark 11:7-10 tells us that,
. . . they brought the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on him; and he sat upon him.
And many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down branches off the trees, and
strawed them in the way. And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord: Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.
Monday of Holy Week remembers Christ’s cleansing of the temple.
Matthew 21:12-13 says
And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.
Tuesday was a day of teaching.
Luke 19: 47-48 tells us
. . . he taught daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the chief of the people sought to destroy him, And could not find what they might do: for all the people were very attentive to hear him.
The fourth day of Holy Week, sometimes referred to as Holy Wednesday, holds the greatest mystery. Some scholars say that this was a day of rest from the work of the previous days, while some say this may have been a day preparing for, or even holding the Last Supper. Maundy Thursday is a day to remember the Last Supper and the important events that happened there.
Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem came at the time of Passover. Jesus and his disciples gathered in an upper roomfor their Passover feast.
John chapter 13:4-5, 12-17 reads
He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.
After that he poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?
Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.
If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.
For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.
If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.
Maundy Thursday gets its name from the Latin word mandatum which means commandment. It was at theLast Supper that Jesus gave the great commandment for us to “love one another.”
In John 13:34-35 Christ says:
A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
Maundy Thursday also marks the establishment of the sacrament of communion.
Luke 22:19-20 tells us
. . . he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
Lastly, following the Last Supper, Jesus and his disciples went to the mount of Olives and the Garden of Gethsemane
Luke 22:39-44 says
And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him.
And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.
And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,
Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.
And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
Good Friday remembers the crucifixion and death of Christ.
Luke 23:33-35, 44-46 reads:
And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.
Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.
And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.
And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.
And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit:
and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.
Holy Saturday is a day to remember Christ’s body in the tomb. A day of waiting and reflection.
Matthew 27: 62-66 tells us:
Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate,
Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.
Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first.
Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can.
So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.
Easter Sunday is the culmination of Holy Week and celebrates the resurrection of Christ.
Luke 24:1-6 reads
Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre,
bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.
And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.
And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.
And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:
And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?
He is not here, but is risen:
As Christ said in John 11:25, “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.” The events of Holy Week, culminating in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, are the core and foundation of all Christianity. Let us all remember the significance of the atonement and resurrection as we celebrate Easter this Sunday.
Some highlights of our celebration:
Image Credit: Scott Hart Media
This historical thought was delivered by our Grammar school students at devotional on 3/28/24. Each week one class leads the student body in prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, scripture recitation, a meditation, and an historical thought. Family and friends are welcome, Thursdays 8:30-9:05 am.
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