Why Celebrate Holy Week?
Why should we celebrate Holy Week? What happened on those days? Why call it “Good Friday” or “Maundy Thursday?” We invited Pastor Zuriel from yesHEis to talk about these and more!
Here's a brief overview of what happened each day:
Palm Sunday
○ Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem.
○ Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey, fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9. Crowds welcomed Him by waving palm branches and shouting "Hosanna!" acknowledging Him as the Messiah.
Holy Monday
○ Cleansing of the Temple.
○ Jesus entered the Temple in Jerusalem and drove out the money changers and merchants, condemning their exploitation and emphasizing the sanctity of the Temple as a house of prayer.
Holy Tuesday
○ Teaching in the Temple and Debates with Religious Leaders.
○ Jesus taught parables and answered questions from Pharisees and Sadducees, challenging their authority and prophesying the destruction of the Temple and His own death.
Spy Wednesday
○ Judas' Betrayal.
○ Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus' disciples, agreed to betray Jesus to the chief priests in exchange for thirty pieces of silver.
Maundy Thursday
○ The Last Supper, Jesus' Arrest.
○ Jesus shared the Passover meal with His disciples, instituting the Eucharist (Communion). He washed the disciples' feet, demonstrating humility and service. Later that night, He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane and was arrested by soldiers led by Judas.
Good Friday
○ Crucifixion of Jesus.
○ Jesus was tried before Pontius Pilate, sentenced to death, and crucified at Golgotha. He endured suffering, mocked, and bore the sins of humanity. His death is commemorated as the ultimate sacrifice for the redemption of humankind.
Holy Saturday
○ Jesus' Body in the Tomb.
○ Jesus' body lay in the tomb, and His followers observed the Sabbath in mourning. It is a day of waiting and reflection on His sacrifice.
Easter Sunday
○ Resurrection of Jesus.
○ Jesus rose from the dead, appearing first to Mary Magdalene and then to His disciples. His resurrection is the cornerstone of Christian faith, symbolizing victory over sin and death and the promise of eternal life.
1) Remembrance of Jesus' Sacrifice
○ Crucifixion: Holy Week includes Good Friday, the day Christians remember Jesus' crucifixion and His suffering for humanity's sins. It is a time to reflect on the immense sacrifice Jesus made.
○ Atonement: Jesus' death is viewed as the atonement for sin, reconciling humanity with God. Celebrating Holy Week helps Christians appreciate the gravity and significance of this act.
2) Reflection on Jesus' Teachings and Actions
○ Last Supper: Maundy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper, where Jesus instituted the Eucharist (Communion), offering His body and blood symbolically. It also emphasizes servanthood, as Jesus washed His disciples' feet.
○ Jesus' Ministry: Throughout the week, Christians reflect on the various teachings, parables, and actions of Jesus, particularly His final discourses and interactions with His disciples and others.
3) Preparation for Easter
○ Anticipation of Resurrection: Holy Week leads up to Easter Sunday, celebrating Jesus' resurrection. The week of reflection, repentance, and mourning culminates in the joyous celebration of His victory over death.
○ Spiritual Renewal: The period serves as a time for spiritual renewal and preparation, helping believers to focus on their faith and the hope of resurrection and eternal life.
4) Deepening Faith and Community Bond
○ Shared Worship: Holy Week includes numerous church services and rituals that bring the Christian community together in shared worship and reflection.
○ Strengthening Beliefs: Participating in Holy Week traditions helps deepen personal faith and communal bonds, reinforcing the core beliefs of Christianity.
5) Understanding the Fulfillment of Prophecy
○ Biblical Prophecies: Events of Holy Week fulfill numerous Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah. Celebrating these events reinforces the continuity and faithfulness of God’s plan as revealed in the Bible.
From Episode 223 of Adulting with Joyce Pring: “Why celebrate holy week?”