This week is Holy Week. It is the
week from Palm Sunday leading up to Easter where we remember the last week of
Jesus’ life before his death (Good Friday) and resurrection (Easter Sunday).
This is an important week in the life of the church. This is also an important
week in our lives too. This is also a neglected week.
Not
neglected as in forgotten. We know it’s coming, we are getting the new Sunday
outfits bought and the eggs dyed and the baskets stuffed with candy to replace
what the kids are still eating Halloween. I mean it is neglected in what it
means, and what it can do for us.
Many
churches, including the one where I serve as pastor, have Holy Week services
each night. If you are only used to attending church at most once per week and
more often a couple times per month, then a full week of church stuff can seem
daunting. How in the world could you possibly fit in church every single night
for an entire week? Don’t they know how busy you are?
Hear me
in the love I am saying this, those are excuses. The reason I say this is
because I really believe that taking an intentional approach to Holy Week this
year will help you take a few steps of growth in your faith and will bring a
new awe and excitement to Easter Sunday (and the subsequent Easter season that
leads up to Pentecost Sunday on May 15).
This
whole season of Lent (the 40 days leading up to Easter) has been a time
reflection and prayer and giving. Maybe you are fasting from something. Maybe
you are trying a new spiritual discipline. There is no better way to culminate
this Lenten season and prepare for Easter than to come together with a local
church and journey Holy Week together. Experience the stories of Jesus’ last
week, the stories of his great love and his mighty power.
Slow
down this Holy Week. The craziness of your schedule will still be there Monday
March 28.
I know
that not everyone is physically able to get to church every night next week, so
I want to include here some readings to help guide your Holy Week also.
Sunday:
Luke 19:28-40
Monday:
John 12:1-11
Tuesday:
John 12:20-36
Wednesday:
John 13: 21-32
Thursday:
John 13:1-17
Friday:
John 18-19 (yes, both chapters)
Saturday:
Matthew 27:57-66
I also
want to encourage you to attend a community Good Friday Service which will be
held at First Baptist Church, 201 East Main Street, Jonesborough at noon on
March 25.
Stretch
yourself a little this Holy Week. Give a little more this Holy Week. Love a
little deeper this Holy Week. Forgive sincerely this Holy Week. And come
together with other people here in your community and walk this week together.
And as you do, may you grow in the grace and love our Lord and Savior.
