Of all the stories we tell, this one matters most.

April 17th // 8:00AM & 9:30AM & 11:00AM

The week that leads up to Easter is traditionally called “Holy Week.”

We are submitting here a Holy Week poem for your reflection on these things, and for the preparation of your heart for our next Sunday morning together. This poem is written in the voice of those who followed Jesus in the days of his crucifixion. Use the info buttons to learn more about their circumstances and connect with the shared grief and confusion we all experience when we encounter the consequences of sin.

Feel free to play this music while you read:

Holy Week

we have found a King

but in light of all that has happened
our doubt has taken over ⓘ

The Jewish people during Jesus’ time were waiting for a human, warrior-king to rise up and restore their people to power after years of oppression. They believed this was the role of the Messiah that God promised them through the prophets. Many who met and followed Jesus believed he was this warrior-king. They were awaiting the moment that Jesus would call them to raise arms with him and make Israel a ruling nation again.

we used to say
Hosanna! Blessed is he! He has come from God!

yet now, being laid low, we cry ⓘ

5 days before his crucifixion, Jesus was welcomed into the city of Jerusalem with crowds of people shouting “Hosanna!”, which means “save now!” This was a cry of joy and praise. They laid palm branches on the ground in front of him and waved them in the air as a sign of victory and triumph. Jesus was recognized by the common people as a prophet of the LORD God and the next king of Israel. His crucifixion on a Roman cross just 5 days later was an incredible and confusing turn of events, especially for Jesus’ followers.

the pain of disappointment and loss
we experience deep within ourselves
all while we wait to lay hold of power again

it is difficult to describe
when suddenly we see the Great Light,
subject to the darkness of man ⓘ

For 3 years of his public ministry, Jesus had performed many signs and wonders that made people believe he was the Chosen One of God, ready to lead Israel to freedom, peace, and restoration among the nations they had been oppressed by. He healed many from debilitating diseases, made lame men walk, gave sight to the blind, walked on top of the water, and even raised a dead man (Lazarus) back to life. As Jesus healed people, he did so with a spirit of compassion and generosity. He taught the people to love their enemies and to pray for those who persecuted them. He called people to righteous living and to forgiving one another. It would have been difficult to reconcile the power and goodness this man demonstrated with the brutal, merciless, and public death he was sentenced to.

how helpless we are

I can hear his voice
I can see his face
Now, soon they both will fade away

grief reigning
night remaining

what is the meaning of this wretched crucifixion? ⓘ

Crucifixion was an important method of capital punishment used by the Romans (and other conquering groups) from about the 6th century BC to about the 4th century AD. Over the criminal’s head was placed a notice stating his name and his crime. Death ultimately occurred through a combination of constrained blood circulation, organ failure, and asphyxiation as the body strained under its own weight. Crucifixion was most frequently used to punish political or religious agitators, pirates, slaves, or those who had no civil rights. It was a painful and humiliating death. For those who were close to and following Jesus, his crucifixion was not only the loss of a friend and leader they loved, but the death of their hopes for a happier, peaceful, and more just life. They couldn’t help but wonder…what was all this for?

Questions for Reflection

Does it ever seem difficult to understand what God is doing (either in your life or in the world)?
Hebrews 10:23 (in the Bible) says “let us hold fast to our hope without wavering, for he who promised [God] is faithful.” How do you know if God is faithful?
How did the hopes, dreams, and expectations of Jesus’ followers affect their experience of Jesus’ death?
How do your own hopes, dreams, and expectations of God affect your experience with your faith?

Questions for Reflection

Does it ever seem difficult to understand what God is doing (either in your life or in the world)?
Hebrews 10:23 (in the Bible) says “let us hold fast to our hope without wavering, for he who promised [God] is faithful.” How do you know if God is faithful?
How did the hopes, dreams, and expectations of Jesus’ followers affect their experience of Jesus’ death?
How do your own hopes, dreams, and expectations of God affect your experience with your faith?

Of all the stories we tell, this one matters most.

April 17th // 8:00AM & 9:30AM & 11:00AM

The week that leads up to Easter is traditionally called “Holy Week.”

Feel free to play this music while you read:

Holy Week

we used to sayHosanna! Blessed is he! He has come from God!

the pain of disappointment and losswe experience deep within ourselvesall while we wait to lay hold of power again

how helpless we are

I can hear his voiceI can see his faceNow, soon they both will fade away

grief reigningnight remaining

Questions for Reflection

Questions for Reflection

we used to say
Hosanna! Blessed is he! He has come from God!

the pain of disappointment and loss
we experience deep within ourselves
all while we wait to lay hold of power again

I can hear his voice
I can see his face
Now, soon they both will fade away

grief reigning
night remaining