Most of us have weeks that are busy, perhaps significant, and looking at our calendars, we sometimes wonder where the strength will come from to accomplish our tasks. Jesus had such a week, his last as He faced the cross. He had the joy of adulation on Palm Sunday when He was hailed as king. Unlikely, though, He was riding on a lowly donkey, perhaps even the colt of a donkey, and the crowd was not high political or religious leaders who gave praise. No, it was the voices of children, it was the commoners who laid down their robes. It was not a red carpet moment; it was, some said, a mockery, and some of those waving palm branches would later jeer as He faced trial. Some, like Peter, would deny Him. One, Judas, would betray Him.
He wept over Jerusalem. Its sin caused Him deep anguish. He was running out of time to change the hearts of the Sadducees and Pharisees. He would not melt Herod’s heart or Pilates’ either, and some in the temple complex, like Nicodemus, who had spoken to Jesus in secret, would fail to testify to others that Jesus was indeed God incarnate.
He saw curruption in the Temple, the place of worship. He still tries, through his pastors and teachers, tries to purify His bride, the church from corruption and false doctrine. The Bible says he threw out the perpetrators who had made the temple a “den of thieves.” It is said in scripture that he overturned their tables and caused a scene. It was, indeed, righteous anger. He and Sovereign God, cannot tolerate sin.
He celebrated Passover with his disciples. He visited Lazarus, Mary, and Martha one last time. He told them what was about to happen. There were tears shed, I have no doubt.
Then, there was prayer time on the Mount of Olives overlooking the city. Asking the disciples to keep watch, He agonized alone, asking God if there was another way to solve the woes of sin. The depth of His anguish as He faced the following hours was physically and spiritually taxing. He sweat as if with drops of blood.
Then, the accusers came, armed for insurrection. Clubs, and swords, and torches. Jesus asked them, “Why do you come this way. I was in the temple teaching. I would not have resisted arrest.” He knew the outcome. He had known this night from the beginning of creation. It was just another indication of man’s inhumanity and sinfulness.
The trial was unlike any other. As Isaiah told us, centuries before, the Lamb was silent. There was mockery, derision, false testimony, and a prisoner exchange. He was beaten, robed in scarlet, and suffered the indignity of a thorn crown pressed into His head.
Rulers and centurions took the easy path, afraid of the crowd. Like most politicians and authorities, they took a poll and found out they’d rather dismiss this man than deal with His presence. The crowd shouted crucify…we have no king but Caesar. Crucify Him!”
The further indignity, the hauling of the cross to Golgotha ensued. Weakened from a nigh of sleeplessness, beating, and emotional toll, another from the crowd helped bear that heavy load over the cobblestones to the place outside the city where executions were common. Two others were already in the process of dying. One, rightly suffering for his crime, came to Jesus and was promptly promised paradise. He is a lesson for all of us that confession is, indeed, good for the soul.
Gathered below His view were followers unafraid to be associated with the King of Kings. Women, John, and others were there. Keeping watch. Keeping vigil. Waiting to hear the last words of Jesus. Wondering what they would do with their unfulfilled dreams. Wondering if they’d gotten it all wrong. Not making sense of the parables about the kingdom of God. Not understanding that He was the sacrificial Lamb who would end the way Jews atoned for sin from the times of Deuteronomy and Leviticus. For He, the Son of God, was the sacrifice for man’s sin, past, present, and future. They just didn’t understand it yet. Not until the end of the week that was. Not until the time in a borrowed grave, with the body unprepared with the traditional burial herbs and spices. Not until the period of mourning was completed after the Sabbath.
Jesus changed all that as well. And why, did God do things this way? Read My Psalm 341. Spend this Holy Week contemplating and praying with thanksgiving.
MY PSALM 341 HE DID IT FOR US
Dear Heavenly Father, Provider of all good things,
Sustainer of Creation, Merciful to all, Abba, Father,
We glorify Your Name and thank You for Your Son, Jesus.
We celebrate this special week, this Holy Week
For in it, we recognize the immensity of Your sacrifice
To fulfill Your Covenant promise, “ I will be Your God.”
May we in worship and renewed lives fulfill our part,
“We will be Your people and live for Your Glory!”
We remember His humble beginnings on our behalf.
Born in a rustic place, scratchy straw his pillow,
Lowly animals his lullaby songs,
No sterile environment, doctors, and ultrasounds,
Not for the Son of God, our Savior.
We remember his earthly parents
Charged with the responsibility of raising Your Son
To live humbly, to appreciate the little things,
To see possibilities,
To reserve His power for important moments,
To strive for Holiness, to seek the poor and downtrodden,
To shun glory for Himself, to teach precepts by example,
To turn everyday things into parables of significance,
To choose His associates from among the humble
To speak in public places and influence leaders,
To spend precious time in prayer and thanksgiving,
To resist Satan’s temptations and the easy road to fame,
To give Himself away as the Perfect Sacrifice,
And to show us the way to Heaven
And the relationship we can enjoy with You.
We see His miracles, we read His story,
We imperfectly follow His example
To serve You in every circumstance
In humble submission to Your will.
Help us to remember the joy of our salvation
To pray often for those who are lost,
To serve those who need You most,
To set our priorities to align with Your will,
And to be worthy of Your grace
Given so freely yet at such a price.
We bow in Your Presence
By serving You in thanksliving
For loving us enough to send Your Son
Jesus to redeem, restore, and resurrect us
On that last day when we join You
In eternal praise and worship.
In Jesus’ Precious Name
And for Your Glory. Amen.
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