Holy Week, Day By Day
The longest week in history.
Walking through the final days.
The big idea
Everything Christianity claims rests on one week.
Opening scripture
“This points to a suffering Savior who bears our wrongdoing. His suffering brings peace and healing for us.”
What does “Holy Week, Day By Day” walk through?
Written Centuries Before
Isaiah 53:5 · KJV
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
In plain English
This points to a suffering Savior who bears our wrongdoing. His suffering brings peace and healing for us.
A Week Of Contrasts
It opens with a crowd shouting praise and closes with a crowd shouting for execution. Same city, same week, largely the same people.
Take Up Your Cross
Matthew 16:24 · KJV
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
In plain English
Then Jesus told his disciples: if anyone wants to follow me, he must say no to himself, take up his cross, and follow me.
“Jesus said take up your cross to people who had watched crucifixions. They knew exactly what he meant.”
Daily
Luke 9:23 · KJV
And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
In plain English
If anyone wants to follow me, he must say no to himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me.
While We Were Still Sinners
Romans 5:8 · KJV
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
In plain English
But God shows his love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Friday Is Not The End
The story does not stop at the tomb, but it also does not skip it. Sitting in Friday is part of understanding Sunday.
No More Death
Revelation 21:4 · KJV
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
In plain English
He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death, or grief, or crying, or pain.
Pray
Jesus, thank you for a week you did not have to walk. Amen.
Write it down
What does it mean to you that he chose this?
Sunday comes
Sit in Friday long enough to feel Sunday.
Which passages does this journey use?
5 passages, drawn from Isaiah 53:5, Matthew 16:24, Luke 9:23, Romans 5:8, Revelation 21:4. Every verse appears here in the King James text with a plain-English line beside it, so you can read it without a commentary open. Allow about 8 minutes for the whole thing, or 9 short sittings.
- Isaiah 53:5
- Matthew 16:24
- Luke 9:23
- Romans 5:8
- Revelation 21:4
Read any of these in full on the complete KJV, or look the wording up independently at Blue Letter Bible.
More in Seasons of the Year
All Seasons of the Year →Advent: Waiting In The Dark
Four weeks of not yet.
Christmas Beyond The Story
What actually happened.
Lent: Forty Days Of Less
Subtraction as a spiritual practice.
Easter: The Morning Everything Changed
The claim the whole thing stands on.
New Year, Same God
Resolutions, and something steadier.
Starting Something New
New place, old nerves.