We call it “Holy Week” or “Passion Week” In all of history it was one of the most eventful, tumultuous, tender, conflicting, humiliating, agonizing, horrifying, grief -filled, significant, victorious week ever recorded. It was one of those weeks where actions speak louder than words. A week that words fail to describe.
From the Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem on Sunday to the Resurrection the following Sunday, the mission of Jesus on earth was fulfilled. Over the next three weeks, I want to challenge you to read the Gospel Story beginning in Matthew 21, Mark 11, Luke 19 and John 12. Read each account slowly, thoughtfully, reflectively and prayerfully. For a few minutes each day, stop, look and listen as the Holy Spirit helps you to contemplate and appreciate what Jesus has done for you. Try to imagine how you might have reacted to each event had you been there.
Throughout His life, Jesus taught the people by using parables. Parables are earthly stories with a heavenly meaning. While every event of the “Holy Week” is as real and vivid as described by the Gospel writers, we should also see each event as having a heavenly meaning. Look for the message that each day teaches. Notice the reactions of people, friend and foe and imagine which side you might have been on 2000 years ago. What if you had been a merchant in the Temple when Jesus came in and turned the tables over and drove you out? What if you had been present when Judas brought the soldiers to the Garden to arrest Jesus? Would you have been in favor of releasing the criminal Barabbas and crucifying Jesus? If you were Mary’s friend, how would you have tried to console her as she watched her son hanging on the cross? And what if you had been with Mary when at the Tomb the Angel said, “He is not here! He is Risen!”
As you put yourself in the place of those who were there, the question of Pilate still resonates today, “What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” How do you answer?
In His Love,
Charles
