Holy Week – sometimes called “Passion Week,” is the last week of our Lord Jesus’ earthly life. It begins on Palm Sunday and ends on the day of Resurrection.
As a rule, the authors of the four Gospels describe Jesus’ ministry selectively, not comprehensively. But that changes when it comes to Jesus’ last week on earth. In Mark’s Gospel, believed by many scholars to be the earliest, this week takes up five whole chapters, as does Luke’s. Matthew’s Gospel utilizes seven chapters.
These three Gospels – Matthew’s, Mark’s, and Luke’s – focus primarily on what Jesus did in public in his last week. John’s Gospel covers the last week by focusing less on Jesus’ public ministry, and more on what Jesus said and did among those who had been with him from the beginning. John’s coverage of the week takes eight entire chapters of material. More than a third of John’s gospel is just about this week!
And what do we find? In everything Jesus did, we see that Jesus Christ will have His reign!
Jesus asserts his authority over false religion and the religious spirit of control by clearing the Temple, and driving out the money-changers and animal sellers away single-handed. Afterwards he returns to the Temple daily to teach, and does so without being arrested!
Jesus continues to tell parables. But now his parables are less about the nature of the Kingdom of God, and more about its triumph.
What else does he do? He gives the summary of the law. He teaches about his return. He warns the Jews of impending judgment because they are failing to recognize the time of their visitation. He speaks against the religious leaders in terrible, searing terms. And he prepares himself to suffer and die as a ransom for many, as a sacrificial lamb, as fulfillment of prophecy, and most of all, as an act of love and obedience to the Father.
On Maundy Thursday night, at the Last Supper, Jesus establishes the new covenant between God and humanity in his blood for the forgiveness of sins. He institutes the Lord’s Supper to be a perpetual memory until he comes again.
John’s Gospel does not describe the supper itself. But it does tell us that Jesus washed his disciples’ feet. Afterwards, he tells them, “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” John 13:34 John then relates what Jesus said to his disciples and what he prayed to the Father. In the end, it all turns out to be about love. He summarizes, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.” John 15:9
Then they go to the garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prays until his arrest.
On Good Friday, the chief priests bring men to testify against Jesus, but they cannot keep their stories straight. When put under oath by the high priest, Jesus confesses that he is indeed the Son of the Blessed One.
He is then taken to Pontius Pilate where he is condemned to die. Condemned, mocked, scourged, and crucified, Jesus says from the cross, “Forgive them, Father, for they know not what they do.” He and his Cross are established forever as where all people may go to find solace in suffering and unmerited forgiveness.
This is Holy Week, Passion Week. We invite you to Noonday Prayers from 12:15 – 12:45PM. On Maundy Thursday and Good Friday we will have worship services at 7PM as we commemorate the awesome acts of love by which Jesus establishes his reign in men’s hearts.
Then on Easter Day, we will gather to celebrate His Resurrection, the inauguration of the new creation. What a week!
