The link to this week's live-streamed service is here
Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy week, a time when Christians around the world observe the last days of Christ's life on earth. In sorrow and awe we follow His progression from the triumphal entry into Jerusalem to the horror of Golgotha. The gospels give us an account of that time.
Palm Sunday – entrance into Jerusalem
As Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey the crowds who thronged to greet him waved palm branches and shouted Hosanna. Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. This is recorded in Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-44, and John 12:12-19.Holy Monday*
After spending the previous night in Bethany, Jesus returned to Jerusalem. Mark's gospel records a short incident where He cursed a fig tree because it had no fruit.
Once in Jerusalem, Jesus went to the temple. As it was near Passover, the money changers were doing a brisk business in the temple courts. Jesus became angry. He overturned the tables, set loose the doves and pigeons. When they objected He said, "The Scriptures declare, 'My Temple will be a house of prayer,' but you have turned it into a den of thieves."
Matthew 21:12–22, Mark 11:15–19, Luke 19:45-48,
Holy Tuesday
On this day, Jesus returned to the Temple in Jerusalem where he taught and debated with the chief priests. later in the day he went to the Mount of Olives where He taught the disciples. He predicted His death, and warned the disciples of the coming destruction of the Temple and the persecutions that they would face, in His name. The disciples were puzzled and grieved. The gospel of Matthew records those teachings at length.
Matthew 21:23–24:51, Mark 11:20–13:37, Luke 20:1–21:36, and John 12:20–38.
Holy Wednesday – into the darkness
The Bible does not record Jesus' activities on this day although scholars suspect He rested with his disciples. At one time the church referred to this day as "Spy Wednesday" as it is believed that Judas Iscariot conspired with the chief priests to betray Jesus. Matt 26: 14.
Some churches may hold a Tenebrae service on Wednesday. The form of the service varies depending upon the denomination but usually begins in a room lit with many candles. As the events of Holy week are read from the gospels, the candles are extinguished one by one, until the sanctuary is left in darkness.
Worshippers exit in silence to ponder Christ's death and await the Resurrection.
Maundy Thursday – Passover and the Last Supper
On this day, Jesus gathered with the disciples in the upper room to celebrate the Jewish feast of Passover. He washed the disciples feet, and exhorting them to love one another as I have loved you.
The last supper that Jesus shared with his disciples is the model for our Sacrament of Holy Communion. It was here that Jesus took the bread and wine and commended them to the disciples as His body "broken for you," and His "blood shed for you."
From there Jesus took the disciples with Him to the Garden of Gethsemane, where He prayed all night. The disciples kept falling asleep. Then Judas arrived with the soldiers to arrest Jesus. Peter drew his sword and cut off the ear of one, but Jesus healed the man and told Peter to put up his sword.
Jesus was then led away to the house of the high priest. His trial begins.
Matthew 26:17–75, Mark 14:12-72, Luke 22:7-62, and John 13:1-38.
Good Friday -- Jesus' Agony on the Cross
Jesus is tried before Pontius Pilate. Even though the Roman ruler wishes to release Him, the crowd cries "crucify." In the end, Pilate "washes his hands" of Jesus and hands him over to the Jews. Jesus is taken to Golgotha. Beaten and exhausted, Jesus collapses under the weight of the cross He is forced to carry. When they come to the Place of the Skull, He is crucified with two others, one on His right and the other on His left.
The term "Good" Friday comes from an obsolete meaning of the word meaning "holy" or "pious." For the Christian Good Friday is the most sombre day on the calendar.
Matthew 27:1-62, Mark 15:1-47, Luke 22:63-23:56, and John 18:28-19:37.
Holy Saturday
In the Jewish tradition, Saturday is the Sabbath, a quiet, holy day. Jesus' body lay in the tomb, guarded by Roman soldiers. When the
Sabbath ended at 6:00 pm, some women went and prepared spices to anoint the body.
In Luke, we read that very early in the morning women went to the grave, but they found the stone was rolled away and the tomb was empty.
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On this day Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene as she stood by the tomb. Later, He appeared to Peter and two other disciples on the road to Emmaus. Still later in the day He appeared to all of the disciples (except Thomas) where they were gathered at a house to pray.
The empty tomb and the resurrection of Jesus is the foundation of our Christian faith.
Matthew 28:1-13, Mark 16:1-14, Luke 24:1-49, and John 20:1-23.
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Holy Week Services at SPPC
- Good Friday Service: 10:00 a.m.
- Easter Sunday Sunrise: 8:00 a.m. at Cy Hampson Park (8891 Lochside Dr., North Saanich)
- Easter Sunday Breakfast: 9:00 a.m. in the SPPC Hall
- Easter Sunday Worship: 10:00 a.m
May you have a blessed, holy week.
Say like it is! Good post. 👍😊
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