Holy Week Devotions

Sunday Palm Sunday Luke 19:28-44         

Hi and welcome to these Holy Week Devotions. I invite you to join me each morning as we journey chronologically through this Holy Week.

Today is Palm Sunday – the day in which we remember Jesus riding into Jerusalem five days prior to His death. It was in Jerusalem that many of the prophets died and all trials of prophets took place before the Sanhedrin. Jesus knew this, and so He planned for his parade to end in Jerusalem.

To prepare for the parade, Jesus asked for a young donkey. There was a very large crowd there, some of whom, spread their cloaks on the road while others waved palm branches (hence the name “Palm Sunday”). Then Luke wrote: “When He reached the place where the road started down the Mount of Olives, all of His followers began to shout and sing as they walked along, praising God for all the wonderful miracles they had seen. ‘Blessings on the King who comes in the name of the LORD! Peace in heaven, and glory in highest heaven!’” (Luke 19:37-38 NLT).

What a parade, full of joy and hope and yet Jesus deliberately planned this parade to force the Jewish leaders to act which they did.

Jesus came to the very city where He knew that He would be denied, judged, and crucified for you and me.  Jerusalem was always His destination.

Thank you, Jesus, for courageously going to the very city that You knew would kill you. May God revive in you that same boldness to be His light.

Monday Jesus Clears The Temple Luke 19:45-48

Hi and welcome to these Holy Week Devotions. I invite you to join me each morning as we journey through this Holy Week.

Yesterday, on Sunday, Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a foal of a donkey. Mark tells us that on Monday “Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out the people buying and selling animals for sacrifices. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves, and he stopped everyone from using the Temple as a marketplace. He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves.” (Mark 11:15-17 NLT).

Money changers and merchants did big business during Passover with crowds of people arriving. They both charge over above what was standard. Their stalls were set up in the Temple's Court of the Gentiles, making it all but impossible for non-Jews to spend any time in worship.

It was God’s desire for Gentiles to pray in the Temple (Isaiah 56:6-7). Jesus became angry because God's house of worship had become a place of extortion and a barrier to Gentiles who wanted to worship.

Today, ponder upon these questions: 1) What thing or things really upset you that is stopping people from hearing the gospel and receiving justice? 2) What steps can you take to remove these barriers? 3) Reflect on this incident in the Temple and how it relates to the cross?

This week, may you draw near to Jesus our Lord.  

Tuesday Jesus Challenged By Religious Leaders Luke 20:1-47

Hi and welcome to these Holy Week Devotions. We are journeying through this Holy Week.

During this week, Jesus took time to do some final teaching, both with the people and particularly with His disciples. One time He was in the Temple Courts proclaiming the Good News. The chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders were there. They were already looking for evidence to accuse Jesus and so they asked Him questions to trap Him, but they didn’t succeed. Jesus then told the people a parable about wicked tenants who treated harshly the servants that the owner sent to gather some of the produce. In despair, the owner of the vineyard sent His son believing that they would respect Him. But the tenant did the opposite and killed the son. And Jesus concluded that the Owner decided to rid those tenants and give the vineyard to others.

The teachers of the law and chief priests knew Jesus was referring to them and looked at ways to arrest Jesus. They decided to send spies who pretended to be sincere by asking searching questions, but they were astonished by His answers and stopped asking. The Sadducees who didn’t believe in the resurrection also tried to trap Jesus by asking questions about the afterlife and marriage, and His answer was applauded by others. After all these questions, no one dared to ask him any more questions.

That day Jesus said to all, “Beware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets” (Luke 20:46 NIV).

The Holy Week was tough for Jesus in so many ways –betrayal and denial. Today, reflect how you question Jesus each time you deny Him of who He is by your lack of trust in Him. Tell God how sorry you are and show Him that He is your Lord and Saviour.

Wednesday Judas Agrees To Betray Jesus Luke 22:1-6

Hi and welcome to these Holy Week Devotions. We are journeying through this Holy Week.

This is what Luke wrote what Judas did during the Holy Week: “The Festival of Unleavened Bread, which is also called Passover, was approaching. The leading priests and teachers of religious law were plotting how to kill Jesus, but they were afraid of the people's reaction. Then Satan entered into Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve disciples, and he went to the leading priests and captains of the Temple guard to discuss the best way to betray Jesus to them. They were delighted, and they promised to give him money. So he agreed and began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus so they could arrest Him when the crowds weren't around” (Agrees)

The exact motivation behind Judas's betrayal is unknown. What is clear is that Judas allowed his desires to place him in a position where Satan could manipulate him. Judas accepted payment to set Jesus up for the religious leaders. He identified Jesus for the guards in the Garden of Gethsemane.

At some point Judas realized he didn't like the way things were turning out. He tried to return the money to the priests, but it was too late.

Judas's betrayal sent Jesus to the cross. So too did our actions. Our sinfulness sent Jesus to the cross.

Today, during this Holy Week, reflect on the question: Am I a true disciple of Jesus Christ or am I just a pretender?

Thursday Jesus on the Mount of Olives Luke 22:39-46 

Hi and welcome to these Holy Week Devotions. On the Thursday night before His death Jesus came to a garden to pray. This is what He prayed “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done."  (43)  An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.  (44)  And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.  (45)  When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow.  (46)  "Why are you sleeping?" he asked them. "Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation” (Luke 22:42-46 NLT).

Jesus went frequently to the Mount of Olives at night. This night was different. So intense was His prayer that His sweat became like great drops of blood. An angel came down from heaven to strengthen Him.

The request of Jesus reveals His humanity. He knew that within 24-hours He would be killed. He was only thirty-three; and no one wants to die at thirty-three. He knew what crucifixion was like; he had seen it. He was in an agony; the Greek word is used of someone fighting a battle with sheer fear. The salvation of the world hung in the balance as the Son of God literally sweated it out in Gethsemane; and He won. Jesus declared that He would do God’s Will.  

Then, very late that Thursday night Judas betrayed Jesus. Jesus was arrested and taken away.

In your prayers, reflect on what Jesus went through. Give thanks that He did this for you. And pray that He will give you the strength to face the good and hard days.

Friday 3rd April              The Crucifixion of Jesus               Luke 23:26-49

Hi and welcome to these Holy Week Devotions. We have been journeying through this Holy Week.

In the early hours of Friday morning, various illegal trials took place during which Jesus was whipped and beaten and had a crown of thorns thrust onto His head. Pilate brought Jesus out to the people hoping that they would want him released. But the people shouted for Jesus to be crucified and so Pilate sentenced Jesus to death. Luke wrote: “When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed Him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified—one on His right and one on His left” (Luke 23:33 NLT).

And so there was Jesus, the innocent one dying between two criminals. Just seconds before His death Jesus cried out "It is finished!" (John 19:30 NIV).  “It is finished” is one word in Greek - tetelestai. The word tetelestai is unfamiliar to us, but various people in everyday life used it in those days. For example, when a person purchased something, the merchant would take the money and hand you a receipt that said “TELELESTAI” meaning “Paid In full”. The debt had been fully paid.

When Jesus shouted out “It is finished” TETELESTAI He was declaring that the work He came to do was finished. We’ve been redeemed. We are forgiven.

Today, we remember the death of Jesus and how He had completed His mission. The work of redemption is finished. Our debts have been paid in full. Tetelestai. In prayer, pause and reflect on the death of Jesus, His immense sacrifice, and what this means for you today.

Saturday 4th April            The Burial of Jesus                   Luke 23:53-56

Hi and welcome to these Holy Week Devotions. We have been journeying through this Holy Week.

We have little information as to what happened between the cross and the resurrection of Jesus. However, we are told about the burial of Jesus. Luke says, “Then he took the body down from the cross and wrapped it in a long sheet of linen cloth and laid it in a new tomb that had been carved out of rock. This was done late on Friday afternoon, the day of preparation, as the Sabbath was about to begin. As His body was taken away, the women from Galilee followed and saw the tomb where His body was placed. Then they went home and prepared spices and ointments to anoint His body. But by the time they were finished the Sabbath had begun, so they rested as required by the law” (Luke 23:53-56 NLT).

On the Saturday, those close to Jesus went back to their homes most likely still in shock. Grief was written all over their faces. It was a period of silence.

It’s normal to experience periods of silence –those times when you are grieving or going through a hard time or seeking direction or prayers don’t seem to be answered. It is in these times that God seems silent. Like Easter Saturday where there was silence, God was up to something. He was about to do something so new.

When you do experience a period of silence, may you know the peace of God that He is up to something that in time will be revealed to you.

Sunday 5th April          The Resurrection of Jesus                  Luke 24:1-12

Hi and welcome to these Holy Week Devotions. Today is Easter Sunday! The day in which we celebrate. Peter preached: “But God released Him from the horrors of death and raised Him back to life, for death could not keep Him in its grip” (Acts 2:24 NLT). Jesus was risen. He was and is no longer dead! All four Gospels wrote what happen on that glorious day!

At first the apostles thought this news was nonsense. However, for the next 40 or so days Jesus appeared to them, ate with them, taught them, as well as over 500 people. They no longer thought this good news was nonsense as evident by people like Peter who boldly taught and witnessed to the resurrection of Jesus.

Question? If the death of Jesus achieved what God had planned for and nothing else can be added to it, then what was the purpose and meaning in raising Jesus to life? Answer: The resurrection affirms the Lordship of Jesus Christ. It is said that the Resurrection was a divine endorsement of Jesus’ teachings, God’s confirmation that Jesus’ teachings were true blessing those who believe with a living hope.

We His followers are to witness for Jesus. We witnessed to the gospel that Jesus died for all and was risen again, now offering eternal life to all who in faith believe that He is the Son of God.  

Today, praise God for raising Jesus back to life. Ask Him to help you bold testify to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

During this Holy Week we have journeyed with Jesus together. We are redeemed! We are forgiven! His Kingdom has come and will last forever, and now we are commissioned to share this good news. Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed!