Holy Week Explained

Sunday's Column…today.

It’s Holy Week. We still go to work. We go to school. Baseball is in full swing. Soccer is in full kick. Our responsibilities don’t decrease. The world keeps moving at its relentless pace. But it’s still Holy Week.

The brown grass is becoming green. The tulips and daffodils are emerging from the ground. The buds on the trees are sprouting. It’s been a long winter, but spring is here and life is being resurrected. 

Life may not feel much different this week. Maybe it’s been a long winter for you. Not outside, but inside. Not wind or cold or ice, but brokenness or boredom or busyness. It’s still Holy Week. Jesus was resurrected from the dead and we can be resurrected too. 

Here is how it works:

Maundy Thursday 

Maundy is from the Latin "mandatum", the first word of Jesus’ teaching from John 13:34 - "A new commandment I give you, that you love one another as I have loved you.” 

Jesus was sharing his last meal with the twelve men who would be responsible for taking the Gospel to the nations. No time for small talk. Not even time for good stuff. Only his best words. “I’m going to make this simple. You need to remember this: Love others as I have loved you.” 

Good Friday 

For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son. What He really gave us, of course, was Himself. He experienced pain, humiliation, and death so we can experience love, forgiveness, and life. The world hasn't been the same since and your world doesn't have to be the same ever again. No single word or collection of words could ever describe this day. So "good" will have to do.

Saturday 

The other days have a name: Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday. Saturday is just Saturday which is more than enough. It was a day of darkness when Satan celebrated victory over God and dominion over the world. In the epic game of chess against the Almighty One Himself - Satan delivered a surprising, come-from-behind checkmate. He gets a surprise tomorrow: the King still has another move. 

Easter Sunday 

It begins in the despair of the dark caused by the sin of the world and the hatred of many. Fear was widespread. Satan delighted in Christ's death. But it's Easter morning and Satan's party comes to an abrupt ending when he discovers the once defeated man has emerged from the tomb. Christ is alive. It was the day death died. Checkmate. Hope overcomes despair. Light silences darkness. Grace forgives sin. Love replaces hate. Faith calms fears. Life resurrects death. 

I look forward to celebrating Easter with you next Sunday! 

Use us Lord, 

Craig