Holy Week is that special time of year when followers of Jesus Christ remember and acknowledge Christ's sacrifice on the cross for the sins of the world. The celebration culminates on Easter Sunday which is the most significant day of the year and the foundation of Christianity. Christianity is anchored in the reality that Jesus Christ rose from the dead. We have the gift of hindsight in understanding the significance of why Jesus came and how His crucifixion, death, burial, and resurrection changed history and changes lives. This is the heart of the gospel or "good news" for whoever believes in and commits their life to following Jesus. (John 3:16) However, when Holy Week events occurred in real time, the people had a different idea of who Jesus was and what He came to accomplish.
SEARCHING FOR A SAVIOR AND KING
The Jewish people had been under great oppression by the Roman government. They had long prayed for deliverance and were looking for the Messiah to come who would not only free them from bondage but overthrow the Romans once and for all according to the Biblical Old Testament prophecies. The Sunday prior to Easter which we recognize as Palm Sunday begins the Holy Week remembrance. On that day the people celebrated Jesus triumphal entry into Jerusalem as some spread their cloaks and others palm branches on the road before Him. The people cried out, "Hosanna!" "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!" "Hosanna in the highest heaven!" (Mark 11:8-10 NIV) The word "Hosanna" translated means "Save us, now!" It was in essence a coronation of a king not in the same way the Roman Empire welcomed their conquering kings with pomp and circumstance, but rather the Jewish people remembered the words of the prophet Zechariah, "Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your King comes to you righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey!" (Zechariah 9:9 NIV) What the people and the disciples didn't anticipate was Jesus' arrest and ultimate crucifixion like a common criminal. The "conquering king" that the people celebrated, the miracle working, compassionate, healing Master that the disciples followed appeared defeated by the Romans, once again dashing the people's hopes on the rocks of despair. However, three days later their Hosannas turned into Hallelujahs as Jesus conquered sin and death and rose from the grave!
WE HAVE A SAVIOR AND KING!
Our world today is once again crying out, "Hosanna" "Save us now!" However, the cries are not for the arrival of a conquering king to free us from oppressive government rulers but rather people are seeking salvation and hope from the oppression of this world system. A world that is steadily growing darker with violence, racism, hatred, and confusion. A world in which people are engaging in behaviors that are unfolding just as Timothy declares would be representative of the last days prior to Jesus' return. (2 Timothy 3:1-5) A world that is calling evil good and good evil as the prophet Isaiah declares, "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter." (Isaiah 5:20 NIV) Easter is the day that our Hosannas are turned into Hallelujahs! The word "Hallelujah" is translated, "Praise Yahweh!" Jesus has freed us from sin and death. In the gospel of John we read, "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him." (John 3:17 NIV) The world's cries for help have not gone unheard. God has saved us through the resurrection of His Son! This is what Easter is all about and what believers celebrate on earth will be carried into eternity. Christ will triumphantly come again as King of kings and Lord of lords and His faithful followers will live with Him forever. In John's vision in the book of Revelation he sees a celebration of heavenly hosts saying, "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Messiah, and He will reign for ever and ever!" (Revelation 11:15 NIV) Let all of heaven and earth celebrate our conquering King!
HALLELUJAH, HE IS RISEN!
Pastor Sheree
