Too many Christians jump from Palm Sunday to Easter without considering the arduous and worthwhile walk of Holy Week. They go from the Triumphant Entrance into Jerusalem with the crowds waving palm branches and shouting, “Hosanna” to an empty tomb and shouts of, “He is Risen, Indeed!”

So much is lost if you don’t walk this entire Holy Week.

MONDAY: The Cleansing of the Temple. Jesus enters into the Temple to see the mockery people are making of the Passover celebration by taking advantage of the pilgrims and profiting off of their desire to make a sacrifice to their God.

TUESDAY: Teaching and Prophecy. Through parables and poignant messages, Jesus continues to teach the people about the breaking in of the Kingdom of God.

WEDNESDAY: Preparations. Mary anoints Jesus with expensive oil. The disciples don’t understand. Judas suggests it was a waste of money. But Jesus understood. Mary was preparing him for what was to come. Mary was helping a friend die.

THURSDAY: Maundy Thursday. The word “maundy” is Latin for “command” as in a new commandment I give to you, to love one another. Join us either at 12:00 or at 6:30 for a special worship that includes remembering the Last Supper, the individual laying on of hands for forgiveness and 25 young people receiving their first communion.

FRIDAY: Good Friday. The darkest, most solemn day of the year. We go to the cross, not with the expectation of the resurrection, but with the finality of death. Join us for the Tenebrae Service at 7:30 where we leave surrounded by the darkness and in complete silence.

SATURDAY: Sabbath. This was the Jewish Sabbath, the day of rest in which we contemplate the death of Jesus and, with a building excitement, prepare for the greatest event in all the world’s history—death is destroyed, sin is forgiven and Christ is Risen. . .soon!

SUNDAY: The Day of Resurrection. As Paul said, “If Christ has not been risen, our teaching and our faith is in vain.  But God raised him from the dead!” All that we live and breath, teach and believe is centered on this day in which we proclaim, “He is Risen! He is Risen, Indeed!”

Don’t stop now. You’ve walked this journey throughout Lent. The final arduous leg and most worthwhile stretch is yet to come.

Your Fellow Pilgrim,
Pastor Scott