Of
all the seasons and observances in the Christian calendar, none is more
dramatic and transforming than Holy Week. It begins with Jesus' decisive
and strategic plan to enter the holy city of Jerusalem with his followers. It
was a risky act! Opposition was mounting to silence him as his words and deeds
challenged the religious leaders, and his growing popularity was a threat. The
common folk accepted him gladly, and responded to his actions of compassion and
healing. They shouted "hosanna" to welcome him, unaware that before
the week was over many would shout "crucify him!" They spread palm branches in his path with
great hope that he was the promised deliverer who would rescue them from Roman dominance.
With such hope it is little wonder that they welcomed him with a joyous
celebration fit for a king. However, they misunderstood the symbolism of him
riding on a donkey. They expected some-thing more from him and his leadership,
more suited to their personal desires. They were more concerned about the
earthy kingdom than God's kingdom.
The
days that followed were filled with significant events. On Monday Jesus went to
the temple where he challenged customs by overturning the tables of the money
changers. This act resulted in a plot by the religious leaders to seek a way to
silence him. On Thursday he celebrated
the Jewish tradition of the Passover with his disciples. But this time the
Seder meal was different. Not only was it Jesus’ last supper
with them, but what he said about the traditional symbols of bread and
cup was surprising to them. The upper room experience included Jesus taking the
role of servant by washing his disciples’ feet. He was betrayed by one of his
chosen followers and subsequently arrested. Agony, humiliation, rejection,
abuse, pain, suffering, and desertion by his followers followed his arrest.
Then came Friday. Jesus was hurriedly tried, convicted and
condemned to death for blasphemy. He died by crucifixion on a cross between two
common criminals. His disciples hid in fear for their lives. Saturday
brought uncertainty and shattered hopes and dreams of what could have been. The
events of the previous days brought fear and confusion to his disciples. How
could this have happened to Jesus? What
would they do without him offering guidance and pointing the way? Had it all
been for nothing?
On Sunday, the defeat and despair experienced by Jesus’ followers
was overcome by the power of God’s greatest act of love in the resurrection. Jesus
had conquered death through the transforming power of God. The message came to
one of his faithful followers, Mary Magdalene, who came to pay her final
respects to her crucified Lord. But she was confronted with a greater message
that transcends death: "He is not
here... He has risen." And then she
encountered the resurrected Lord! Astonished
and excited by her encounter, she ran to tell others the good news. In the days
that followed, other disciples also experienced the resurrected Lord. The
astonishing message of resurrection that lies at the heart of the Christian
faith was proclaimed and spread.
It
has been suggested that the life of a Christian follows the pattern of the
activities of Holy Week. There are days of prayer and preparation, followed by
celebration. There are also days of trial that sometimes include suffering and
pain. There are sometimes days of rejection and betrayal. There are times when
we face the reality of death that seeks to diminish and destroy, followed by
days of despair, sorrow and grief. There are silent Saturdays when we feel
forsaken by God. But through the hope and promises that Christianity offers,
God's love transforms our dark and dismal days into the glory of resurrection
Sunday. When this happens, we find the strength to live another week, another
day, looking to that final resurrection when we are welcomed to our eternal
home.
