Who cares about Holy Week? God cares! He cares so much “that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. (John 3:16-17) He cares so much that when Jesus prayed in the Garden Gethsemane, “That if there was another way then let him choose that way, but he also said not my will, but yours be done.
I’m not exactly sure why our churches are not filled to the brim at Holy Week anymore. Maybe it’s because we take for granted what Jesus had to do to save us from our sins. Maybe some think of it as just one long sad funeral service for Jesus. Maybe it’s embarrassing to think that Jesus would die for me?
It’s more likely though that we would choose to not go because we despise preaching and his word. It is more likely because we are lazy Christians and care more about our own time and appearances then we do of the gifts of God. That’s harsh, but it’s true. It is easy to be selfish. It’s easy to think that it doesn’t really matter.
It is time to care about Holy Week. It is time to clear our schedules and go. And go for the right reasons! Not because it looks good, but because you believe that what happened on this week some 1990 years ago. Go because you believe that what Jesus did was done for you. Go to be strengthened in the faith. Go to encourage one another. Go, not because I tell you, but because with out Jesus we would be lost.
Luther teaches in the Small Catechism that what Jesus did is for you to know and believe. You cannot know and believe if you absent yourself, that’s what the devil wants you to do! Nor can you claim this is your faith if you do not see the deliverance of Word and Sacrament as important to the faith, that’s what the devil wants you to do! Let us reject the ways of the devil, the world and our sinful flesh. And give thanks that Jesus freed us and makes us his children through his death and resurrection.
The early church gathered daily to hear the Word and receive the sacrament. This is a rare opportunity to understand what we are missing out on. Let us come together as a community of believers and be immersed in God’s Saving message of life and salvation.
Join us for our Holy Week Services as we kick off Holy Week with:
Passion Sunday (Palm Sunday) April 10, at 9am.
Holy Thursday, April 14, 6:30pm
Good Friday, April 15, 6:30pm
The Resurrection of Our Lord, April 17, 9:00am
There is also an Easter breakfast served starting at 7:30am! Such great opportunities to spend with fellow believers. Who cares about Holy Week? The Christian does!