What Is Holy Week?

When I was growing up Easter was a big event.

In the days leading up to the holiday, the adults would spend a lot of time preparing delicious food and dyeing eggs.

Sunday morning we would devour a lot of the chocolates in the basket the bunny had left us, get dressed up in our fancy new outfits, and go to my grandmother’s house where all my aunts, uncles, and cousins were waiting.

After what always seemed like the biggest meal I’d ever eaten, we would go out and hunt for the brightly colored eggs.

Oh how I loved to run through that grass looking for those treasures!

 

One day it dawned on me that Easter might be more than just bunnies and eggs.

I asked a relative about it and they explained to me what Easter is really about.

 

Easter is about celebrating the resurrection of Jesus.

 

It was also then that I learned there is an entire week that has to do with Easter.

It’s called Holy Week.

Since it is coming soon I thought it might be a good idea to review it so that those who might not quite know what it means or understand its importance could get an idea of just how special it really is.

 

Holy Week is when Christians take extra time to remember that Jesus chose to be the sacrifice to pay for our sins.

During this season we think about what that really means as we reflect on what Jesus went through as He was led to the cross and crucified.

 

Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday and ends with the day before Easter.

Several of the days in between have a significant meaning.

These days are:

Palm Sunday – the Sunday before Easter. It commemorates when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey and the people laid palms down in front of Him as they called out, “Hosannah!” This event is often called His Triumphant Arrival because it signified His humble arrival on a donkey (a symbol of peace) as opposed to on a horse (a symbol of war). This was symbolic of Him coming as King. This story is found in Matthew 21, Mark 11,  Luke 19, and John 12. (Read the full post here – What is Palm Sunday?)

 

Holy Wednesday – the day when Christians remember how Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus’ disciples,  approached the chief priests and offered to help them betray Jesus. He agreed to do it in exchange for 30 pieces of silver. The story is found in Matthew 26 and  Luke 22.

 

Holy Thursday – This is the day we remember when Judas Iscariot actually betrayed Jesus by leading the guards to Him in the Garden of Gethsemane. Judas then signaled which one was Jesus by kissing Him on the cheek. This began the long, painful series of events Jesus experienced as He was interrogated and tortured before being crucified. The story is found in Matthew 26, Mark 14, Luke 22, and John 18. (Read the full post here – Jesus was Arrested)

It is also the day we remember the Last Supper, which is when Jesus instituted Holy Communion. The story is found in Matthew 26, Mark 14, and Luke 22. (Read the full post here – The Last Supper)

 

Good Friday– This day commemorates the day Jesus was crucified as payment for the sin of all mankind.

This is a solemn and mournful day as the Son of God has been killed despite the fact He was completely innocent. It is a time to consider and contemplate our own depravity and the price Jesus paid to rescue us from our sinful state.

The story is found in Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 22, and John 19. (Read the full post here – What is Good Friday?)

 

Good Saturday – While not an official Holy Day, it is common for believers to consider this a quiet and solemn day as it is the day after Christ died and before He has been resurrected. Because those alive at the time of His crucifixion did not yet know He was going to be resurrected, this was a day of great mourning and grief for them. Many devout remember this by treating Holy Saturday as a day of quiet reflection.

 

Easter Sunday – Although not an actual day of Holy Week, it is the day Holy Week points to. It celebrates the morning in which it was discovered Christ has risen from the tomb. The story is found in Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, and John 20.

This is the most important story for the Christian. Having risen from the dead, Jesus defeated death and hell once and for all.

All those who believe in and trust Him can share in this victory.

Because God resurrected Jesus from the dead those of us who trust in Him can look forward to our own resurrection and eternal life in heaven with Him.

For more information, read my full post here What is Easter?

 

Holy Week is a very special and meaningful time in a believer’s life.

I hope you will take the time to reflect on these days and to consider how important they are to your salvation story.

 

 

 

To learn more about the Easter Season and to find posts on each individual day of Holy Week, please visit my Easter page, a compilation of previous Easter and Lent posts.