GETTING READY FOR THE WEEK
SUNDAY, APRIL 13
READING: MATTHEW 21:1-17 & MATTHEW 26-27
HOLY WEEK: PREPARATION
Holy Week began with a singing crowd welcoming a triumphant King, then concluded with the same crowd mocking Him as He was hung on a tree. Five days. In just five days, the scene in Jerusalem dramatically changed.
Jesus knew His last week would unfold this way. He told His disciples, but they did not understand. They experienced a rollercoaster of emotions and felt blindsided by the week’s events, likely asking “how exactly did we get here?”
We will reflect on this week: how Jesus prepared for death, and how we must prepare to surrender areas of our lives to Him fully. This is one of the most pivotal weeks in history, especially for Christ-followers. Often we go from Palm Sunday to Good Friday to Easter without much thought. Our lives are full with family gatherings, extra church services, and celebrations. But perhaps we could pause each day this week to put ourselves back in what that week must have been like—a week of preparation, finality, death, and grief. The Lord provided us with the best spoiler: it does not end in death and grief. Easter is the beginning of new life. But before we fully embrace new life, we have to respond to Jesus’ call to die with Him.
Tomorrow we will jump into the heavier stuff. But today is Palm Sunday, a day of rejoicing for the King! Read the Triumphal Entry found in all four Gospels (Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:28-44; John 12:12-19). Then, as a family or with friends, take a 2.5-mile walk (give or take)—the distance from the Mount of Olives to Jerusalem, where Jesus would have ridden. Imagine yourself in the crowd—what would you see, hear, smell, how would you feel? Try to place yourself not knowing the end, but simply seeing a King riding into the city. If you have small children and palm trees or ferns in your neighborhood, take them to make a wreath and share why you created it.
Jesus knew His last week would unfold this way. He told His disciples, but they did not understand. They experienced a rollercoaster of emotions and felt blindsided by the week’s events, likely asking “how exactly did we get here?”
We will reflect on this week: how Jesus prepared for death, and how we must prepare to surrender areas of our lives to Him fully. This is one of the most pivotal weeks in history, especially for Christ-followers. Often we go from Palm Sunday to Good Friday to Easter without much thought. Our lives are full with family gatherings, extra church services, and celebrations. But perhaps we could pause each day this week to put ourselves back in what that week must have been like—a week of preparation, finality, death, and grief. The Lord provided us with the best spoiler: it does not end in death and grief. Easter is the beginning of new life. But before we fully embrace new life, we have to respond to Jesus’ call to die with Him.
Tomorrow we will jump into the heavier stuff. But today is Palm Sunday, a day of rejoicing for the King! Read the Triumphal Entry found in all four Gospels (Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:28-44; John 12:12-19). Then, as a family or with friends, take a 2.5-mile walk (give or take)—the distance from the Mount of Olives to Jerusalem, where Jesus would have ridden. Imagine yourself in the crowd—what would you see, hear, smell, how would you feel? Try to place yourself not knowing the end, but simply seeing a King riding into the city. If you have small children and palm trees or ferns in your neighborhood, take them to make a wreath and share why you created it.
RESOURCES
What is Lent? Why does it matter? Podcast by Mountain Christian Church. This is a conversation about the season of Lent, the time leading up to Easter, and the importance it holds in our faith. While Lent is coming to a close it gives great insight.