Holy Week

Featuring “Seven Last Sayings of Jesus” © Scott Erickson

 

 

Holy Week Roadmap

Matthew devotes nearly a third of his Gospel to the final week of Jesus’ life. This week we invite you to spend time in Scripture, following Jesus as he journeys into Jerusalem, to the cross, and ultimately to Easter resurrection. We’ll read one chapter each day; we’ve provided some reflection questions or activities to guide your reading. Take your time with these texts. Pray before each reaching that God would open your heart and your mind to receive from him. As you read, imagine yourself as a character in the story, perhaps a disciple, an onlooker, maybe a Pharisee, maybe even Jesus. Imagine how you might feel or respond to these encounters, confrontations, to the drama that unfolds in this Holy Week.

Each day, we also invite you to collect from around your house an item symbolic of the day, and gather these items together in one place, as a visual reminder of the events of this week.

We invite you to lean into this week, to perhaps pay more attention and practice greater intentionality than you have in the past. Our new rhythms and requirements enable us to begin new habits, to experience things in different ways. It is our prayer that you might experience this Holy Week in a profound way as we journey through the Scriptures together.

 

 

 

Palm Sunday: Matthew 21 (verses 1-11 are the sermon text)

Reflect: What is Jesus saying about himself in these encounters? What is Jesus saying about the
Kingdom of God?

 

Gather: a leaf, symbolizing the palm branches waved at Jesus’ procession

 

 

 

 

Monday: Matthew 22

Reflect: How is Jesus challenging the authority of the religious leaders? What different groups is Jesus in conversation with? Are there parts of his teaching that you wrestle with?

 

Gather: a coin, symbolizing Jesus’ surprising answer to the Pharisees

 

 

 

 

Tuesday: Matthew 23

Reflect: What traits is Jesus condemning? What kind of leadership does he model instead? What characteristics or behaviors do you need to repent of, and what traits might you ask God to replace them with?

 

Gather: a cup filled with dirt, symbolizing the hypocrisy of the Pharisees

 

 

 

 

Wednesday: Matthew 24 – 25

Reflect: Jesus’ prophecy foretells both the historic fall of Jerusalem, and the future events of his return in glory. What attitudes does Jesus encourage his followers to have as they await his return?

 

Gather: a candle, symbolizing the lamps of those who await the bridegroom

 

 

 

 

Maundy Thursday: Matthew 26

Reflect: On Maundy Thursday, many churches participate in the Lords’ Supper together. This is what we would be doing today if we could gather together. As we wait until that day when we can gather as the body for Communion together, we can still reflect on what this Last Supper means for us. Read verses 17-30 as you gather around the dinner table. Go around the table and ask, “How have we loved well this week? How have we not loved well?” If you’re feeling moved to do so, wash each other’s hands before dinner as we remember how Christ washed his disciples feet. If you live alone, call a friend or family member and ask how you can serve them from afar or pray for them.

In some traditions, churches will “strip the altar” after the Maundy Thursday service, taking down all decorations from the front of church, sometimes cloaking the table or pulpit in black fabric, to symbolize the barrenness of the cross. Consider stripping your house (or one particular room) of artwork and decoration, leaving it bare for Friday and Saturday as a stark, visual reminder of the darkness of these days, which for the first disciples, were empty of all hope and color.

 

Gather: a towel, symbolizing Jesus’ love and humility

 

 

 

Good Friday: Matthew 27

Reflect: Consider reading this chapter in parts throughout the day. Read verses. 1-26 first thing in the morning, verses 27-45 at noon, 46-56 at 3pm, and 57-66 in the evening.

 

In 1727, Bach set Matthew 26 and 27 to music, with interspersed chorales and arias. The St. Matthew Passion is regarded as one of the greatest masterpieces of classical sacred music. Set aside an hour today to listen to this stirring oratorio (be sure to pull up the English lyrics as you listen). Listen for a familiar Good Friday melody.

 

Today the denomination has called for prayer and fasting, lamenting the brokenness in our world, grieving with those who are sick or affected by COVID-19, and bringing our whole selves to the God who shows his goodness even in the darkness. Consider fasting from food today for one meal or all meals, spending that mealtime in prayer. For an introduction to fasting, read this article first.

 

Gather: a cross, whether cut from paper (see the craft in Wednesday’s email), made by gluing two sticks together, or one you have already in the house

 

 

 

 

Holy Saturday

Reflect: on the Saturday between Good Friday and Palm Sunday, the world waited. Today, we are quiet.  Consider refraining from using social media or even technology today. Give yourself space to be silent, to pray, and to listen.

 

Gather: a stone, symbolizing the large rock rolled in front of the tomb

 

 

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