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“And Jesus entered the temple[a] and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. 13 He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you make it a den of robbers.” 14 And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he healed them. 15 But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying out in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were indignant, 16 and they said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes; have you never read, “‘Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies you have prepared praise’?” 17 And leaving them, he went out of the city to Bethany and lodged there.” Matthew 21.12-17
We call this week “Holy” Week. Why? Probably for many reasons. I like to think that it’s because Jesus, who is God in Flesh, the Son of God, is himself holy. He is set a part, high and lifted up, “other.” What he did for us during this week is unlike what anyone else has ever done. His act of redemption swung wide gates for all people to see God. I think we call this week Holy Week because the Holy One in Jesus accomplished the unthinkable. This is why Holy Week matters.
And it’s a whole week of adherence to the Christ. I’ve seen on the internet many “maps” of the events of Holy Week. These maps or diagrams show what it happening each day of the week. And let me tell you, it’s a range of emotions that I feel. From the celebratory Palm Sunday to the anger of Jesus clearing out the Temple (see text above), to the actual passion of the Christ. My emotions are all over the place. Its not unlike a great basketball game in which I find myself cheering, gritting my teeth, and leaving in disappointment or joy. And whereas Friday does leave Christ broken and battered, the final chapter was written with the resurrection on Sunday.
This week is about what Jesus did for us, of course, but it’s also about my response to his grace. Some will ignore this week altogether. They will go about their lives forgetting the fact that it’s God himself who designed their bodies and put breath in their lungs. However, many will acknowledge their Creator. Many, like you and me, though sinners saved by grace, will gravitate to the Christ. The one who walked in to the praises of “Hosanna in the highest,” the one who overturned the tables in the temple, who cursed the fig tree, who wept for Jerusalem, who suffered, died and was resurrected for the sins of many.
I want to be one who acknowledges the Christ in this week and beyond. I want to walk in his goodness and taste and see that he is good.
If this is your heart as well, please join me in a moment to pause, listen and reflect upon his offering to the world. If you have accepted his gift for yourself, stop now and give praise (pause for some praise-giving.) If you have yet to receive the salvation of God then receive Christ’s love into your being.
He is with you. He is near you. You matter to God. He loves you more than you will ever know. (Reread this statement.) “And the Spirit of Him who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies,” Romans 8.11.
Thanks be to God!
“O Lord God, your love is better than life and my lips will praise you. When I am in the pit of despair, you put my feet on solid ground. When I am battling in my sin, your light shines deeply into my heart. Come now, Holy Father. Arise again oh Risen Christ. Enter my inmost being- Spirit of the Living God, so I might praise your name and live both abundant life today and eternal life to come. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen