Holy Week

Holy week begins on Palm Sunday, a celebration of Jesus’ Triumphal entry into Jerusalem on a donkey, the foal of an ass. (Zechariah 9:9 & Matthew 21:5) It concludes with Redemption following Sacrifice on Resurrection Sunday.

When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the people raised their hands waving palm branches, laid down their clothing as a pathway for his procession, and shouted “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord”. The palm branches raised by the people became an extension of their lifted hands (1 Timothy 2:8) reminiscent of surrender like a felon being arrested or a prisoner of war being taken to a prison camp. 

The casting of their garments awaken memories of the clothing Adam and Eve made for themselves when they realized they were naked: their own good works (Isaiah 64:6). God refused the external trappings they created because although mankind looks on the outside, God looks on the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7). God himself killed a sacrifice for Adam and Eve and created coverings (Hebrews 5:13) for them of the animal’s skin (Genesis 3:21). Jesus laid down his own life becoming the complete, eternal sacrifice for us all and gave us robes of righteousness (Isaiah 61:10) made of his own humility and obedience, laying down his throne authority in heaven to live perfectly as a man could have lived. (Philippians 2).

Finally, the shouts of Hosanna speak to the prayer requests (Matthew 7:9, Luke 11:11) of the people, Save NOW we beseech you! They like the disciples thought (Matthew 20:21) he was going lead a rebellion over the Romans creating his kingdom on earth. Instead, He answered their prayers quickly (Matthew 7:8, Matthew 21:22, Luke 11:10, John16:24) by offering the ultimate sacrifice and assuming His throne in His divine kingdom which was not of this world (John 18:36, Romans 14:17) 

Salvation, redemption, arrived that week. From the cross Jesus said, “It is Finished!” before he gave up the ghost, breathed his last.” (John 19:30) After he preached to the spirits in prison (1 Peter 3:18 – 22), he led captivity captive giving gifts unto mankind (Psalm 68:18, Ephesians 4:8). The second man, Adam, (Jesus Christ) redeemed the choice of the first man Adam. (1 Corinthians 15). Let our hearts and minds recall and rejoice with those who lived in their physical bodies during the first triumphal entry knowing we shall one day be united with the rest of His body (1 Thessalonians 4:16 -18) living joyfully, eternally in His presence, the zoe (God’s kind of life) he purchased for us. 

Let us throw off our filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6) and put on the garments of praise. (Isaiah 61:3)

“Now unto Him who is able to keep you (us) from falling and to present you (us) faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy. To the only wise God our Saviour be glory and majesty, dominion and power; both now and ever. Amen (Jude 24 -25).

(Cathy Bayert is pastor of Greybull First Baptist Church.)