HOLY WEEK
R EAD INGS & DEVOT I ON S
HOLY WEEK 2015
Holy Week is a unique opportunity to rehearse the gospel and
remember the foundation of our faith. Honestly, without some
intentional effort, I am afraid that it often seems just like every
other week. We wanted to provide this devotional written by
people from White Rock Fellowship as a helpful tool in rehearsing
the gospel for each of us.
The last week of Jesus’ life was not like every other week for the
Jews in Israel. It was Passover! God knew that they were prone
to forget, so he set up feasts that would remind each generation
of God’s faithfulness. The purpose was twofold. First, it was to
remind them of the ways that God had been faithful in the past
and secondly, to give them hope in this same faithful God for the
future.
My hope for us this Holy Week is that as we remember Jesus’ life,
death and resurrection, we too are reminded of the gospel and
restored in our hope for the future.
Jeff Fritsche
Lead Pastor
PALM SUNDAY
Readings: Psalm 118; Zechariah 9:9–12; Matthew 21:1–11
Religious throngs trek upward to Jerusalem chanting psalms of ascent
(Ps 120-134) on an annual pilgrimage. Longing for a Messiah to free them
from Rome’s harsh rule, they sing words of hope.
They think about Jesus of Nazareth. Some say he’s a prophet, others claim he
is the Messiah. But on this special day, Jesus reveals his own message for the
crowd—he is the holy fulfillment of Zechariah 9—the humble Messiah riding
a colt.
The crowds call out words indicating they recognize his claim of Messiahship:
“Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna in the highest!” (Matt 21:9).
They want a revolutionary Messiah and wave their branches with expectation.
Branches like the ones waved in victory after the Maccabean revolt. Branches
like the ones the Romans themselves gave to the winners in their games.
Yet, this Messiah doesn’t come gallivanting into Jerusalem on a noble stallion
or brandishing chariots and weapons of war. Quite the contrary—he comes
into town with a nursing donkey and her colt.
But they fail to understand. They recognize a key part of Jesus’ identity as
Messiah, but they miss his main purpose in coming. Their definition of a savior
doesn’t match up with his.
Many people of God still praise him with their lips, but true disciples
recognize the deeper picture—before the victory, our Savior walked a
dark path of agony.
Before the triumph must always come the cross.
Sarah Bowler
MONDAY
Readings: Psalm 36; Isaiah 42:1-9; Luke 19:45-48
The city of Jerusalem teemed with activity. People from all across the land were
making their way to the city to celebrate Passover. Tens of thousands of Jewish
pilgrims filled every available lodging place. Tents lined the roads leading into
Jerusalem as pilgrims camped outside the city.
This was the scene as Jesus entered Jerusalem and made his way to the temple.
As he entered the outer court of the temple, an amazing scene unfolded. Jesus
began to drive out the merchants and the money changers, overturning tables
and chairs (Matt 21:12, Mk 11:15, Lk 19:45), all while quoting the Old
Testament prophets: “My house shall be a house of prayer, but you have made it a
den of robbers!” What a commotion this would have created at the temple!
One of the requirements for Passover was an unblemished lamb brought for
sacrifice (Exod 12:3). As part of their sacrificial duties, the priests examined
each animal to ensure it was unblemished and worthy for sacrifice.
Unfortunately, corruption and greed had infiltrated this process. If an animal
was deemed unworthy, pilgrims were sent to the Court of the Gentiles where
merchants sold “pre-approved” sacrificial animals at exorbitant prices. In the
same court, one could exchange Roman coins (or any other foreign money) for
Jewish shekels, the only coins accepted to pay the required temple tax
(Exod 30:11-15). Money changers were happy to help for a small fee, of course.
It was not the practices themselves that caused Jesus’ outrage, for these
services were needed at the temple to ensure the sacrificial laws could be
followed. It was the corruption of these practices. Greed had taken hold
in the hearts of the religious leaders. They had become so corrupted
by the pursuit of power and money that they forgot their calling. The
priests and religious leaders were to be mediators between God and the people.
They were to be a blessing to the poor and needy, a light to those seeking God.
Unfortunately, in reality they were quite the opposite.
Jesus came to earth as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy: the
Messiah, the Suffering Servant, the one bringing justice and light to the
nations, the one opening the eyes of the blind (Isa 42:1-11). He came not
simply to cleanse the temple but to cleanse the hearts and minds of the people
(Lk 19:47).
In the midst of the festivities that surround the Easter season, may we
daily be reminded of Christ’s passion for the lost. Further, in light of
the cleansing work of Christ in our lives, may we be compelled to share
the truth of the gospel with those around us.
Nathan Seale
TUESDAY
Readings: Psalm 71; Isaiah 49:1-7; John 12:20-36
Looking toward the crucifixion of our Savior, it’d be foolish to skip over the
hard parts and think only on the resurrection. God sent his beloved Son to
rescue us from ourselves, not with a grandiose display of power, but through
humble submission that led to death. You cannot remove the ingredient of
suffering from the redemption story and fully experience the healing balm of
grace. In that one moment when the suffocating sins of all mankind sank into
the spirit of a good and just God, Jesus suffered. Deeply. Profoundly.
Our Savior was sacrificed because blood had to be spilled, once for all, for the
depraved human race. The collision of God’s wrath and his relentless love
trickled down Jesus’ pierced side. And it was so good. And it was complete
agony.
Suffering hurts. Every time. Let’s be honest with each other about that, shall
we? God never ignores pain or glosses over it in the name of his “bigger plan.”
He sits right down next to you, wraps his arms around your broken frame and
says, “I know.”
How is this possible? Because we worship a God who has suffered on our
behalf. Read that sentence again. What role did you play in setting your soul
free? Nothing. That’s where grace surfaces -- in the midst of his darkest hour
and in the midst of your own.
Days before Jesus was crucified he taught his disciples that a grain of wheat
that dies would yield much fruit (John 12:24). But it has to die first, and
surrender its own carefully laid-out plan.
Whenever our own plans blow up in our faces, we’re left with the
option to spit in the face of God, or to wake up every morning trusting
that the same Grace which brought life from death is sufficient to get
us through that day.
As you reflect on the truth of suffering, in your life and in the lives of those
around you, ask these questions: What aspects of my life am I least willing to
surrender to God? Who is suffering around me and how can I enter into the
brokenness of their pain? May your spirit be encouraged during difficult times
-- we worship a God who willingly entered into our brokenness first and he is
worthy of our trust.
Rachel Lavoie
WEDNESDAY
Readings: Psalm 86; Isaiah 50:4-9; Luke 22:1-6
This week, Jerusalem would have been full of activity, bustling with people who
had made the pilgrimage to the city to observe Passover, an annual feast that
served to commemorate THE great event in Israel’s history to that point.
Passover was a memorial celebration in which families gathered together and,
over the course of a special meal, recited the events of the Exodus as a way of
remembering how God had redeemed them from slavery in Egypt.
At the center of the Passover feast was the lamb - unblemished lambs prepared
for this purpose that served as a reminder of the lambs that were sacrificed on
the night of the very first Passover, lambs whose blood on doorposts protected
Israelite families from God’s judgment and led to their deliverance.
Every year, Passover had tremendous meaning for the identity and life of
Israel; however, at this point in their history, this great feast was particularly
meaningful as many saw a parallel between their present situation and that
first Passover generation.
Israel was in exile. Although they were in the Promised Land, the captivity that
the nation experienced for hundreds of years prior was continuing now at the
hands of Rome. While looking back, many in Israel were also looking
forward, mourning for God to once again act powerfully on their behalf
and bring about a deliverance as great as that first Exodus. The social,
political, and religious climate fueled the fire of anticipation for another Moses,
God’s promised Messiah, to bring about their long-awaited deliverance.
It was into this world that Jesus came as One greater than Moses to
be the true Passover Lamb. And who, in offering his life as a sacrifice for
sin, would address the nation’s (and all humanity’s) real problem and provide
a redemption even greater than that of the Exodus - a redemption from the
bondage of sin.
This redemption is available to all who trust in him and will one day extend to
creation itself. As we reflect this week on THE great event in our history
and gather in community around “the Lamb of God who takes away the
sin of the world,” may we be amazed at the greatness of our Deliverer.
Daniel Puls
MAUNDY THURSDAY
Readings: Psalm 102; Isaiah 52:13-15; Luke 22:7-65
How appropriate for Jesus’ Last Supper to occur on the Jewish feast of
Passover! As the disciples prepared the Passover meal for Jesus, the rest of the
Jewish people prepared their own feasts.
Each family would slaughter a pure, spotless lamb which they would then
ceremonially eat to celebrate God “passing over” the Israelites homes and
sparing their first born sons (Exod 12). Through this, they remembered the way
in which they were delivered out of the land of Egypt. Passover was celebrated
every year, but this Passover was different.
As Jesus and his disciples gathered for their Passover meal, Jesus turned their
attention from the past to what he would do to deliver all mankind from the
captivity of sin. Jesus presented the bread and cup, inviting his disciples to
partake and introducing the new covenant – his body broken and blood shed
for them. He was THE Lamb to be sacrificed on their behalf. HIS blood
would cover them so their sins would be passed over.
Just as the tradition of Passover was given to Israel as a reminder of the grace
and mercy of God, the tradition of the Lord’s Supper is our reminder of Christ’s
sacrifice for us. Christ took the penalty for our sins, corrected our relationship
with God, and connected all believers together to create the Church.
On the eve of his death, Jesus looked toward the cross and its eternal
implications for humanity. For us, today is a day of reflection. As you take
communion this Easter Sunday, do so remembering what Jesus has done for
us, individually and as the Church. But also, look ahead to the hope and future
spent in the presence of the ONE who allowed his body to be broken for you.
Rachel & Andy O’Brien
GOOD FRIDAY
Readings: Psalm 22; Isaiah 52:13-53:12; Matthew 27:1-56
The song Man of Sorrows, by Hillsong Worship, has gotten a lot of airtime in
our home recently. And like us, you might be encouraged to know that many
of the song’s lyrics come from Isaiah 53, including its title. Often referred to
as one of the four servant songs, Isaiah 52:13 – 53:12 boldly proclaims the
coming Messiah.
Today, as we reflect on the significance of all that occurred in Jerusalem leading
up to April 3, 33 AD, we thought it might be encouraging for us to observe the
many parallels between what was foreseen and what was indeed fulfilled on the
day we call Good Friday.
Matthew 27 + Psalm 22: Psalm 22 cries aloud for someone suffering unjustly.
Writing primarily to a Jewish audience, Matthew uses the psalm to invoke
familiar emotions and emphasize the unjust suffering of our Savior (Ps 22:18 &
Mt 27:35; Ps 22:7 & Mt 27:39; Ps 22:8 & Mt 27:43; Ps 22:1 & Mt 27:46).
Matthew 27 + Isaiah 53: Isaiah 52:13-53:12 foretells how every one of God’s
promises for his people would be fulfilled through the suffering, sacrifice, and
ultimate triumph of God’s Servant. Matthew uses elements of this song to
highlight the heartbeat of his gospel: Jesus is the promised Messiah (Is 53:5 &
Mt 27:26; Is 53:6 & Mt 27:46; Is 53:7 & Mt 27:14; Is 53:7 & Mt 27:31; Is 53:9
& Mt 27:57-60; Is 53:12 & Mt 27:38)!
After reading through all that Jesus endured, you might wonder why we call
this day “good.” Wouldn’t “Worst Friday Ever” be more fitting? Although this
day naturally stirs solemn contemplation, it’s also cause for incomparable
celebration.
Jesus Christ, the Son of God in human flesh, took on our sins and our
sorrows—each one for everyone—and demolished them all with his
death…forever! And that’s why we believe this Friday was particularly good.
We pray we’re able to somehow grasp the significance Christ’s sacrifice for our
own lives, today, like never before.
Now my debt is paid
It is paid in full
By the precious blood
That my Jesus spilled
Elyse & Matt Derian
Now the curse of sin
Has no hold on me
Whom the Son sets free
Oh is free indeed
HOLY SATURDAY
Readings: Psalm 27; Job 19:21-27a; Matthew 27:62-65
Death is an inevitable part of life. Everyone deals with it at some point, and
we all grieve death in different ways. In the Bible, David unloaded his anguish
in poetry and song. Job poured out his heart to his friends in the midst of his
trials and many others would tear their clothes and cover themselves in dirt to
symbolize their sorrow.
Scripture doesn’t give us many ideas about what the day after Jesus’ death
looked like for the disciples, but it’s hard to imagine that it was a normal day.
After all, they had left their families, careers and lives behind to follow Jesus,
and now he was gone. He had told him this would happen and that he would
return, but was that the one promise that was too good to be true? On top of
all their questions, they were grieving the death of their friend, someone who
knew them better than anyone else ever had before.
But if Jesus had taught them anything, it was all things are possible with him.
They had seen the sick healed, the masses fed, the lame walk, the blind see and
the dead raised to life right before their eyes. In the midst of their crippling
grief, they had every reason to place their hope in what Jesus had said.
Our grief does not define us, our hope does. When we are in the middle of
life’s most difficult circumstances, we can always find our hope in the promises
of God. He has never failed us because he has never ceased to be who he is. The
all-knowing, all-loving Creator of everything has promised us life and eternity
in relationship with him.
Like the disciples, we are often surrounded by grief and confusion, struggling
to believe the Word of God. Our timeline is often uncertain, but for them,
the promise was only one day away. We may live in a world where there is
plenty to grieve over, but as we grieve, let us do so with hope for the
day when all of God’s promises are fulfilled.
Come, Lord Jesus.
Clayton Luckie
RESURRECTION SUNDAY
Reading: Luke 24:1-8
Of all the festal symbols surrounding the Easter season - bunnies, crosses,
butterflies, lilies, eggs, lambs, and so on - something is noticeably absent. These
symbols represent all that make Resurrection Sunday one of the most special
traditions in the Christian year—new life, rebirth, forgiveness, and
redemption! Still, something is missing.
After all, for the believer, Easter is not over at the end of church on
Resurrection Sunday. Nor does it end when the fancy holiday dinner comes to a
close and the symbolic embellishments find their home back in the attic.
Experiencing the fullness of Easter means living Easter. And to live
Easter means to accept Christ’s invitation, every day of every month of
every year, to walk with him through the open door of our tomb.
Through the open door of the Garden Tomb, Jesus rose from quiet, dark death
to the full light of life. “He is not here, but has risen,” say the men in dazzling
apparel to the shocked group of women staring at the open tomb door
(Lk 24:5). That impossible stone rolled aside, showing the women the full
realization of God’s promises. The Perfect One, the Wounded One, the Slain
One became the Risen One.
In addition to the promise of life eternal with him, Christ opens our
tomb door inviting us to experience the fullness of his love on earth.
We can trust Jesus as he draws us through that open door offering a life of
forgiveness instead of one of fear as, “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts
out fear…” (I John 4:18). What have we to fear when, “everyone who believes in
him receives forgiveness of sins through His name” (Acts 10:43)?
We can trust Jesus’ leading through that open door and cling to him, not for a
life of happiness, but a life of Hope. Living Easter means that rather than
settling for happiness, we rejoice daily in the gift of being “born again to a living
hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (I Pet 1:3b).
We can trust Jesus as he guides us through that open door and satisfies
us with a life of peace rather than promising a life of ease. Living
Easter is not living easy. Jesus promises that only in him “you may have
peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the
world” (John 16:33). Only the Peace of Christ can tame the wild, rugged terrain
of the soul.
That missing symbol, the open door, deserves its place in the Easter tradition.
While the cross reminds us of our paid debt and our eternal life, the
open tomb door reminds us of the sweetness found in him while we live
on earth. Praise our God who keeps his promises! And praise him for leading
us out of our dark, quiet tombs through the open door and into a daily
invitation to live Easter.
Allison Manes
© 2015 White Rock Fellowship
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