A brief summary of the important days of Holy Week
PALM SUNDAY Covering the path of someone’s entrance is a sign of honor, an anticipation of triumph. The celebration of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem noted by each gospel writer is a pointer to our Lord’s Kingship. Zechariah (9:9) foretold the event. The Psalmist (118:25-26) quotes the enthusiasm of the crowds, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” And The Church looks forward to carrying those palms of triumph once again as we sing, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” (Rev 7:9-10).
MAUNDY THURSDAY “I give you a new commandment” Jesus says in John 13. “Maundy” is the Latin equivalent of “command,” the reason for today’s title. Jesus’ last meeting with the disciples set the precedent for foot washing (servanthood), a meal (love feast), the sacrament (communion), and the “new commandment,” to love one another. Jesus set the example of humility – lowering himself to the place of the lowest household servant – by washing his disciples’ feet. “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus” (Phil 2:5).
GOOD FRIDAY What is “good” about an innocent man being killed? The title given to this day is strange when one considers Jesus’ death on a cross. The background to the holiday’s name is nothing in comparison to the event itself. All the words we use today – redemption, forgiveness, regeneration, grace – have their origin, the fullness of their meaning, in Jesus’ sacrifice for human sin. The day’s meaning is well summarized with these words, “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
RESURRECTION SUNDAY Outside of Jesus’ Incarnation (God becoming human, two natures in one person), His resurrection from the dead is THE most important Christian teaching. Foretold in the earliest history of mankind (“the serpent will bruise His heel” Genesis 3:15, a non-fatal blow) triumph over death is THE reason why Christians have hope in this life and The Next Life, for He, after “destroying every rule and every authority and power,” also “destroyed death” (1 Corinthians 15:20-28).
AFTERWORD What is the history of the phrase “Good Friday”? The short answer is, depending on who you talk with or what Christian tradition is followed, the name has various origins. The word “good” comes from the ancient meaning of “holy” or “piety” which indicates the purity, the distinctiveness of the day. Various Christian traditions by country or group focus on other words (e.g. “God Friday” = “Good Friday”). For my part, “good” is paramount for at least two reasons: (1) “There is no one ‘good’ but God” (Matt 19:16) who can eradicate sin by His purity (Heb 4:15), (2) In the general sense that Jesus died for our sin is “good” (Heb 2:17).