WATCHWORD:
And then they were come to the place which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. Luke 23:33
Meditation:
Holy Week – A Fresh Start?
Barabbas replied, “I’ve thought a lot about this since Calvary. That encounter with Jesus transformed me. In a real sense, it killed my old self. I believe that God’s love means Calvary.” (Excerpt from A Life for Barabbas)
Prayer: Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Here we are on the cusp of Holy Week, that important time for Christians between Passion or Palm Sunday and Resurrection Sunday, or Easter. A solemn time, commemorating the events of Christ’s journey to the Cross and the Easter Sunday celebration of the Resurrection.
We listen to readings from Matthew or Luke recounting the arrival of Christ in Jerusalem, and the growing fear on the part of the Pharisees leading to an assassination plot. Symbolically, we join fellow Christians and Jews in the Passover or the Last Supper, the ceremony of the Seder on Maundy Thursday.
We travel to Gethsemane and, from our human standpoint, we can understand Christ’s plea: “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” We recount as best we can the trial, the false witnesses, the Passion and the torture of Christ and His death on the Cross. We mourn with the disciples and Mary at His death, and we try to understand the depth of their loss on that Good Friday and Saturday, knowing they were unaware of the coming Resurrection.
But, as Christians, we ARE aware of the Resurrection. Our faith is rooted in that knowledge, for we know the rest of the story. The solemnity of this week is really a rededication of our faith, of our belief. It is a retelling of the centerpiece of our faith. While we may find it difficult to fully experience the confusion, the grief, the loss, the fear that enveloped the faithful followers at that time, we can understand it. In our hearts we can reach out to them and shout “He is Risen! He is Risen, indeed!”
So, what does Holy Week, specifically Easter, mean to you? For me it’s like this: For a number of years, we had a vacation place on Lake Michigan, just a little two-bedroom shack. I’ve always been an early riser and my “morning joy” was to sit on the deck with the whole of that Lake before me and feel the world coming alive, fresh, and new. My journey through Holy Week is a bit like that, arriving at Easter Sunday, bathed in the Love of Christ, fresh and new. In Jesus Calling, Jesus speaks to us saying “I am taking care of you. Trust Me always. Trust Me in all circumstances. Trust Me with all your heart.”
That’s just how it is. For each of us, it’s personal, and we know that at the end of this Holy Week, Sunday is coming! So be it.
Holy Week Devotions:
Beginning Palm Sunday, there will be a Watchword devotional each day of Holy Week, ending with Resurrection Sunday, Easter. Then beginning April 1, we will return to our usual weekly schedule of Watchwords on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. — Stan
Prayer:
Dear Lord, may I realize afresh today what Your death and resurrection means to me. Forgiveness, freedom, and the ability to walk with You through this fallen world into eternity. May I always find my satisfaction in You and Your willingness to offer Yourself to me. In Jesus name, we pray. Amen.
