Holy Week | Monday Seder, Tuesday Prayer, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday
One week in particular that I'm especially excited to celebrate with others in Worcester is Holy Week. I know, I'm a little early as Palm Sunday is still a couple days away. But I continue to grow in my appreciation and anticipation of taking the time to recognize and reflect on this sacred week.
Below are the verses and songs that will be filling my mind and heart this coming Holy Week. I invite you to take a moment or two to consider the mystery with me. And if this post intrigues you, please consider joining us for our Good Friday and Holy Saturday services next week.
More informative posts are coming about Holy Week, too. But for now special thanks goes to St. Peter's Fireside, Page CXVI, City Hymns, and others for being helpful in providing artwork, reflections, and songs for this post that begins to recognize this very special time in the year.
A seder is a Passover meal, linked with the Jewish remembrance of God's deliverance of His people from slavery and oppression during the Exodus. What Christians know as the Last Supper in the New Testament is a Passover seder that Jesus shared with His disciples in the Upper Room to remember how God is a God who who hears the cries of His people, makes promises to free them, moves in power to redeem them, and makes His dwelling among them.
Out of the Depths Video and Lyrics by City Hymns
" ... If Thou oh Lord should mark iniquities,
Lord who could then draw near?
But here I find forgiveness with Thee
That Thou may be feared.
Lord from the depths I wait for Thee,
My hope is in Thy Word
All through the night 'till day is nigh,
My soul waits upon the Lord. ... "
This time of prayer is for focusing on the events of Holy Week, as they are tied to the arrest, trial, and execution of Jesus. During such a time of anticipation, trial, and persecution, Jesus displayed a continuous posture of prayer and trust that He would be endure the cross and resurrect for the redemption of His people and the breaking in of new creation into our world. Reflecting on His sacrifice, we will pray for our church and our city as He prayed for us the night He was betrayed.
Scripture reading: John 17
And Can It Be That I Should Gain Video by Page CXVI
" ... And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Savior's blood?
Died He for me who caused His pain?
For me who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be
That Thou, my God, should die for me? ... "
The English word Maundy is derived from the Latin mandatum, the first word of the phrase "Mandatum novum do vobis ut diligatis invicem sicut dilexi vos" ("A new commandment I give to you that you love one another as I have loved you"), when Jesus explained to His disciples the significance of His washing their feet. Jesus showed us that the greatest love we could ever give to another is to serve them in humility and love them with our best when they are at their worst just as Jesus loved us with His best when we were at our worst. Along with Good Friday, a Maundy Thursday Service is often a Tenebrae Service, a service that concludes in silence and darkness. This creates a moment of sober reflection for us in an environment which reflects the sorrowful events of Jesus’ Passion.
Scripture reading: John 13
Come Behold the Wondrous Mystery Video and Lyrics by Matt Papa
" ... Come behold the wondrous mystery
In the dawning of the King.
He the theme of heaven's praises,
Robed in frail humanity.
In our longing, in our darkness,
Now the light of life has come.
Look to Christ who condescended,
Took on flesh to ransom us. ... "
Good Friday is the final, and vital, time of preparation for Easter. This service often involves a public reading of the narrative of Jesus' arrest, trial, execution, and burial. There is also a time for collective and personal prayer as well as a brief sermon on the meaning and significance of Jesus' crucifixion.
Scripture readings: Isaiah 53:3-12; Luke 22:63-23:49
Scripture readings: Isaiah 53:3-12; Luke 22:63-23:49
Seas of Crimson Video and Lyrics by Bethel Music
" ... On that cross of Calvary
Every burden has been defeated,
Every wretched heart redeemed.
You drown our sins in seas of crimson. ...
On that day of utmost glory
All of darkness cannot carry.
My Solid Rock,
Thine is the Kingdom!
Where there was sin
Your love rushed in!
Where sin runs deep
Your grace runs deeper!
For all enslaved the ransom paid!
Light of the world, Yours is the power! ... "
For all enslaved the ransom paid!
Light of the world, Yours is the power! ... "
As Carl Sagan has famously said, “Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.” Some of Jesus’ own disciples felt exactly the same way. They heard people claiming to have personally encountered the risen Jesus. And they all responded in their own ways. Some even said “No. This is ridiculous. You’re making stories up.” And the resurrection can and should invoke skepticism and doubt within us, too.
This Easter Sunday, we invite you to join us in stepping into the disciples' doubt and wrestling with Jesus’ resurrection. Why? Because if Jesus really did rise from the dead, then it really does change everything.
Scripture reading: John 20
Behold the Risen Christ Video by The Village Church
" ... Once far but now brought near,
Was blind but bound with fear;
Salvation, sure and sweet,
The taste of victory!
Behold the risen Christ!
His grace and mercy free!
Once dead, now glorious life!
Oh what joy, oh what joy!
He found me! ... "
Next post: Holy Week | The Final Days of Jesus – Palm Sunday: Story and Verses Part 1 of 8
Next post: Holy Week | The Final Days of Jesus – Palm Sunday: Story and Verses Part 1 of 8
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