Holy Week is a special time for reflection, prayer, and worship as we journey through the events leading up to the resurrection of our Lord. And this year our Pastor is doing three, special Holy Week devotionals dedicated to rallying us around the what of what Jesus did expressly for us and he is focusing on what he believes are some of the most critical of these moments. We invite you to join us for these special video devotionals visit us here or on any of Love Story Church platforms, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram. Spend time this week reading and meditating on the whole story found in John chapters 12-19. Then join us each day below for video devotionals with Pastor John.
· Palm Sunday – Sunday, April 13th at 7:00 AM
· Maundy Thursday – Thursday, April 17th at 7:00 AM
· Good Friday – Friday, April 18th at 7:00 AM
What is “Holy Week” and Why Is It Important?
Each year, people all over the world celebrate what is known as Lent. It is a period of 40 days where many Christians fast or give up certain items such as chocolate, sweets, meats, or even social media as a form of sacrifice during this time frame. Lent comes the English word lente, meaning “springtime” which is derived from the Old English word Lenten which means “lengthen”. This is because of the actual time period in which we have “Sprung Forward” as our days begin to get longer, and Summer is approaching. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and many congregations hold special services where they use palm wood ash and mark themselves as a symbol of death to the old things. Lent ends on Easter with the culmination of Holy Week.
All four gospels contain an account of the resurrection, each with a differing perspective. For this week’s devotionals we will allow the Apostle John, who Jesus loved and was entrusted to care for his mother, to take us on this journey. The Gospels each have their own account and what is threaded through all four depictions of this event is that Jesus died and more importantly He got up and that is the most important and most significant detail of all.
Since Jesus’ arrival on the scene and the assembling of both his Apostles and the disciples, He expressed to them His mission on Earth found here in John 3:16-17. He was sent to Earth with purpose just like each one of us.
16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
“You May Enter (Jesus’s Triumphal Entry to Jerusalem)”
Today begins our video miniseries of devotionals. Jesus came in the name of the Lord, fully man and fully God with His full Kingship on display. They honored Him and we see this exemplified in today’s verses. They cut down branches from trees and spread them in the road. The palm branches were symbolic of joy and triumphant which showed honor and respect. This was a demonstration of victory, usually reserved for royalty and in reverence to the king. Be sure to come back on Thursday to join us for our Maundy Thursday devotional. Let’s join our Pastor for “You May Enter”.
12 The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. 13 They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting,‘Hosanna’ ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’[d]‘Blessed is the king of Israel!’14 Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it, as it is written:15 ‘Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.’[e]16 At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realise that these things had been written about him and that these things had been done to him.17 Now the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word. 18 Many people, because they had heard that he had performed this sign, went out to meet him. 19 So the Pharisees said to one another, ‘See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!’ John 12:12-19
“Don’t Forget About Thursday (Jesus Betrayal)”
It’s Maundy Thursday, derived from the Latin phrase “Mandatum novum do vobis” (a new commandment I give to you”; John 13:34). Also known as Holy Thursday is where we remember what Jesus last Passover (Lord’s Supper) with His disciples and the washing of feet would be that took place on the night that Jesus was betrayed. We hope to see you back tomorrow for a final video devotional.
18 When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was a garden, and he and his disciples went into it.2 Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. 3 So Judas came to the garden, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons.4 Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, ‘Who is it you want?’5 ‘Jesus of Nazareth,’ they replied.‘I am he,’ Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) 6 When Jesus said, ‘I am he,’ they drew back and fell to the ground.7 Again he asked them, ‘Who is it you want?’‘Jesus of Nazareth,’ they said.8 Jesus answered, ‘I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go.’ 9 This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: ‘I have not lost one of those you gave me.’10 Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.)11 Jesus commanded Peter, ‘Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?’12 Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him 13 and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. 14 Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jewish leaders that it would be good if one man died for the people. John 18:1-14
“Crown Him (The Crucifixion)”
Good Friday commemorates the Crucifixion. At first glance death does not sound like anything good and for many, many years traditionally it was not observed as such. The original observance was reflective of a day of sorrow, giving penance (an expression of repentance) and fasting. But it is this day that we commemorate Jesus’ accomplishment of making it to the cross and completing the mission for which He was sent on Earth to fulfill the prophecy that had been told and thousands of years beforehand. We can’t wait to see you Sunday and celebrate Resurrection with you!
We pray that you have been blessed this week and as you walk out the final days leading up to the Resurrection, today we wrap up or miniseries, let’s get ready for “Crown Him”.
So then Pilate took Jesus and scourged Him. 2 And the soldiers twisted a crown of thorns and put it on His head, and they put on Him a purple robe. 3 [a]Then they said, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they struck Him with their hands.4 Pilate then went out again, and said to them, “Behold, I am bringing Him out to you, that you may know that I find no fault in Him.”17 And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha, 18 where they crucified Him, and two others with Him, one on either side, and Jesus in the center. 19 Now Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross. And the writing was:JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.
John 19:1-4;17-19