Holy Week and Beyond

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.