Holy Week Meditation

He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds, we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep, before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. By oppression and judgment, he was taken away. Yet who of his generation protested? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was punished. He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth. ***Isaiah 53:3-9***

With so much happening in our world, do we stop to think, meditate, or rest as we enter Holy Week? Are we so caught up in the world that we do not take the time to remember the importance of this week and how it has impacted our lives? In the busyness of life, people will stress about their money, jobs, families, politics, and other obligations. Churches will start the week with Palm Sunday, the mark of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Dr. Judy Fentress-Williams of Alfred Street Baptist Church presented a point we may never consider. Knowing what the rest of Holy Week held for him, what were Jesus’ thoughts as he was paraded into Jerusalem on a donkey with smiling people yelling, “Hosanna!”

These were the same people who were celebrating the arrival of Jesus, but weren’t these some of the same people who would disperse when the soldiers carried Jesus off to his crucifixion? Knowing this would be the scene probably led to one of the loneliest most isolated feelings a person could have.

The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,

“Hosanna to the Son of David!”“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” The crowd answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.” Matthew 21:6-11.

So how many times have you found yourself alone in a crowd? How often have you known that you were different, and although surrounded by people and friends, you still felt alone? What about people who have smiled and wished you well only to learn of their deep-seated jealousy? How many people have smiled and said they were your greatest supporters only to be presented with money and opportunity that led to betraying your trust. Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. From then on, Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over. Matthew 26:14-26.

What a feeling of isolation. How many people have called you a faithful friend and promised to stand by you only to break that promise?“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” But he replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.”Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.” Luke 22:31-34. We see denial at its best when Peter denies Jesus for the third time. Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” Luke 22:60-61.

On Thursday, some churches will hold a Maundy Thursday service as we recognize the Last Supper Jesus would have with his disciples as he washes their feet, reveals his betrayer, and delivers the news of his death. All of this on a Thursday! We need to stop and think about the significance of the Last Supper. However, many of us will go about our day on Good Friday, but some will think about the 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. hours. This is the time that Jesus hung on the cross for us. Friday night may consist of church services remembering a man who took everything on his shoulders. If we haven’t given it any thought, stop now because he is why we are here today. As I think about church cantatas, one hymn completes the thought of the crucifixion. O Sacred Head Now Wounded. Pay attention to this song’s lyrics during the Triduum (the final three days of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection). This time will be the Lord’s ultimate sacrifice.

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