Palm Sunday and The Events of Holy Week Zechariah Matthew Mark Luke John Romans 1Peter
This Sunday is Palm Sunday, and the beginning of Holy Week. Holy Week allows Christians all over the world to reflect on the depth of Jesus’ love and the significance of his sacrifice for all of humanity.
On Palm Sunday we follow the triumphal entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, which marks the high point of his earthly ministry. Our Lord enters the city, knowing full well that this trip will end in his sacrificial death for the sin of the world.
Let’s take a few moments to follow Him in His journey all the way from His jubilant entry into Jerusalem, to his death on Good Friday, and then on to His mighty resurrection on Easter Sunday
We start with: Palm Sunday. Accompanied by his disciples, Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a colt, while crowds of people covered the streets ahead of him with their cloaks and with palm branches, shouting: “Hosanna to the Son of David, Blessed is He comes in the name of the Lord, Hosanna in the Highest”. This was in fulfillment of the prophecy foretold by Zechariah: “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, Lowly and riding on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey”. (Zechariah 9:9).
Then comes Monday: Jesus chased the money-changers out of the Temple. and overturned their tables.“Take these things away! Do not make My Father’s house a house of merchandise!” (John 2:13-16).
On Tuesday Jesus and the Pharisees have a confrontation in the Temple, and the Pharisees plot to kill Him. Jesus then left the temple and went to the garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives. This is where He delivers the Mount of Olives Discourse also called the Olivet Discourse. Here Jesus talked about the destruction of the temple and the future of Israel. These events are recorded in (Matthew 24:3-25:46; Mark 13:3-37; Luke 21:5-36).
Wednesday: Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. Judas had gone to the Sanhedrin and offered to lead them to Jesus in exchange for 30 pieces of silver. (Luke 10:38-42) (Matthew 26:14-27:66)
Thursday: After washing the feet of the disciples, Jesus celebrated Passover, and instituted the Sacrament of Holy Communion. We refer to this day as Maundy Thursday. The word Maundy is derived from Middle English and the Old French word mandé meaning command “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another”. (John 13:34). Jesus went to Gethsemane to pray where he was arrested by the Temple guards and taken to an “illegal”, night session of the Jewish court, the Sanhedrin.
This brings us to Good Friday: The Sanhedrin could not condemn a man to death; only the Roman governor could this, so they sent Jesus to Pilate.
Pontius Pilate was reluctant to pass sentence on Jesus and sent him to Herod, who ruled Galilee, Jesus’ home territory. Jesus would hardly speak to Herod, who got so frustrated, that he sent Jesus back to Pilate. The Jewish authorities and the people demanded that Jesus be crucified, so Pilot washed his hands of the matter and agreed to crucify Jesus. Roman soldiers took him to Golgotha, the place of the skull, where he was crucified. (Matt. 27:1-54)
Holy Saturday or Easter Even: Jesus’ body remained in the tomb while his spirit descended to the realm of the dead to preach to the righteous souls, such as the Hebrew patriarchs, who died before his crucifixion. St. Peter wrote: “Christ was put to death as a human, but made alive by the Spirit, ‘And it was by the Spirit that he went to preach to the spirits in prison” (1Peter 3:18-19) The disciples observed the Sabbath on this day.
Sunday: We celebrate the glorious resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (after three days); who paid the full penalty for sin by offering Himself as the perfect sacrifice for our sin. By His resurrection from the dead, the Lord defeated the power of sin and death and purchased, for all who believe in Him, eternal life.
On this Palm Sunday, let’s all take the opportunity to examine our own faithfulness to Christ. Are we prepared to stay with our Lord in Jerusalem as the atmosphere changes towards Him? Do we dare to stand by Him as He faces constant conflict with the religious leaders? Do we love Him enough to want to wash His weary feet? Do we stay with Him in prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane and not fall asleep?
Let’s all use this “Holy Week” as a time to grow in faithfulness to Christ. Will you trust in the Lord and allow Jesus to die for you, so that you may live for Him? Amen.
The Most Rev. Dr. Rick Aaron Reid, Presiding Bishop Traditional Anglican Church of America Rector, St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, Newton, North Carolina 28658