Seven Days
© South Bay Community Church
South Bay Community Church Reflections: Seven Days
Date: 2 April 2023
Lead Pastor: Tammy Long
Scripture Texts: Matthew 21-28; Mark 11-16; Luke 19-24; John 12-21
South Bay Community Church Reflections: Seven Days
Date: 2 April 2023
Lead Pastor: Tammy Long
Scripture Texts: Matthew 21-28; Mark 11-16; Luke 19-24; John 12-21
Sermon Preamble:
In this message, we are exploring the last 7 days of the life of Jesus on earth leading up to Easter/Resurrection Sunday. Jesus arrived in Jerusalem for Passover amidst celebrations and joy. He was hailed by the crowd and followers as their Savior, the new Messiah, and the Son of God. The adoration changed a few days later. Within those tumultuous 7 days, Jesus was abandoned by His friends, arrested, envied by authorities playing political games, tortured by police, tried in a rigged and bogus trial, and then put to death on a cross, in the most cruel, humiliating, and painful way possible. During Holy Week, Jesus was buried by his grief stricken friends and followers, and then He was seen again by those same people as He overcame death to live forever. This account is documented not only in the Bible, but also in the historical secular writings of those days. These 7 days changed the world and our lives forever. This week is the climax of history. Christians celebrate Holy Week every year. How can we recapture the meaning of Holy Week in a fresh way even though it feels so familiar to us? In recent weeks, we have been using the Chosen media series to see Jesus with fresh eyes, especially His humanity, divinity, humor, heart, and compassion for God’s beloved chosen people. As we journey through these 7 days, the holiest week of the Christian year, we consider what was happening for Jesus and what that means for us.
Day 1 Palm Sunday: Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey as King of the Kingdom of God
There is excitement in the air because something big is happening. It is Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a young donkey! As in a parade, a crowd of people lined the street with more coming and some running ahead to get a good spot.
Everything about this moment is significant. It fulfills the Old Testament prophecy written by Zechariah: “Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout. Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey” (Zechariah 9:9). Jesus is fulfilling prophecy and entering Jerusalem the same way old kings of Israel had centuries before. Jesus is acknowledging that He is indeed the King.
The people acknowledged Jesus by waving palm branches, which symbolize triumph and victory. They echoed these words from Psalms: “O Lord, save us; O Lord, grant us success. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. From the house of the Lord, we bless you” (Psalms 118:25-26). This Psalm is quoted in the gospel of Matthew: “The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest’” (Matthew 21:9). The crowds shouting “Hosanna” were expecting a warrior king who would free them from Roman oppression. Jesus coming on a donkey, not a majestic war horse, was a sign of humility and peace. The salvation given by Jesus is a different kind. Jesus is King of the Kingdom of God.
Our question for Palm Sunday: Who is Jesus in your life? Is Jesus merely a man who lived two thousand years ago? Or is Jesus the King, Lord, and Savior of your life? How does your life reflect your response?
On that Sunday evening, Jesus and the disciples spend the night in Bethany. This is the dwelling place of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, whom Jesus raised from the dead. They were close friends of Jesus. They hosted Jesus and the disciples during their final days in Jerusalem. Mark’s gospel records that Jesus explained to the disciples even before they entered Jerusalem what was to happen to Him in that city. It is reasonable that Jesus would have also told his dear friends. In His humanity, Jesus would have been aware that His time on earth was coming to an end. We sometimes forget that Jesus felt everything we feel. Jesus would have had mixed emotions. He would feel grief that he will miss them. At the same time, their company with Jesus was a comfort to Him for what lies ahead.
Day 2 Holy Monday: Fig tree failing to bear fruit; Jesus’ followers bear spiritual fruit
On Monday morning, Jesus returned with the disciples to Jerusalem. Along the way, Jesus cursed a fig tree because it had failed to bear fruit. Jesus used it to teach that true believers will bear spiritual fruit. This includes fruit such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, spiritual growth, spiritual maturity, and deepening love for God and neighbor.
One question for us for Holy Monday is, In what ways do you see spiritual fruit growing in your life, such as love, joy, peace (etc.)?
Day 2 Holy Monday: Jesus’ indignation at corrupt money changers and sellers of doves at the temple
Jesus went to the temple in Jerusalem. Jesus found the courts full of corrupt money changers. Jesus became angry that the holy place of worship had become a place for buying and selling with exploitation of the poor. Jesus’ heart was filled with love for the people who were being obstructed from worshipping God and also filled with love for the people who needed to be healed. In His indignation at the desecration of the temple and in His zeal for justice for the oppressed, Jesus overturned the tables. This enraged the vendors. Jesus proceeded to clear the temple from their wickedness. “Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. ‘It is written,’ He said to them, ‘My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of robbers.’ The blind and the lame came to Him at the temple, and He healed them” (Matthew 21:12-14).
Let’s hear the next verse: “But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple courts, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David,’ they were indignant” (Matthew 21:15). As we journey through Holy Week, we see a spiritual battle brewing. The battle is coming to a head as people engage with Jesus. Jesus is, in essence, bringing issues to the surface to accomplish His mission.
The day before on Palm Sunday, the crowd including even the little children, were saying, “Hosanna to the Son of David.” This ticked off the religious leaders. “‘Do you hear what these children are saying?’ they asked him. ‘Yes,’ replied Jesus, ‘have you never read, from the lips of children and infants you, Lord have called forth your praise’” (Matthew 21:16).
It is only Monday, but the collision course is already clear. Jesus is intensifying his public message and confronting the religious structure of that day. As Jesus continues to fulfill His mission, He knows exactly what He is doing and what lies before Him this week. There is no place for injustice, oppression, greed, or corruption in the house of God or in the Kingdom of God. Jesus is clearing the way for a new Kingdom order on earth as it is in heaven.
Another question for us for Holy Monday is, What are some tables we may need to overthrow for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven?
Matthew’s gospel records that after Jesus’ discourse with the religious leaders He went to Bethany where he spent the night. Most likely, Jesus returned to the home of Lazarus, Mary, and Martha, a place of warmth, hospitality, and peace for Jesus. We all need those places and people in our lives.
Day 3 Holy Tuesday: Power of faith in alignment with God’s will; religious leaders’ attempts to trap Jesus
On Tuesday, on their way back to Jerusalem, they pass the fig tree that Jesus cursed the day before. The tree is completely withered and is dead. Jesus used it to teach about the power of faith in God when we are in alignment with God’s will and way. “Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours” (Matthew 11:24).
On that Tuesday, the battle between Jesus and the religious leaders intensified. The religious leaders were upset at Jesus for establishing Himself as a spiritual authority. They organized an ambush with the intent to arrest Jesus. The religious leaders set four traps for Jesus. The first trap in Matthew 21:23-27 questioned His spiritual authority to which Jesus responded with a question of his own that stumped them. The second trap in Matthew 22:15-22 challenged Jesus on His allegiance to God or to Rome. Jesus silenced them by responding, “give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and give to God what is God’s.” The third trap in Matthew 22:23-33 attempted to ridicule Jesus’ belief in resurrection by asking how marriage would work in heaven. The fourth in Matthew 22:34-40 attempted to trap Jesus by challenging Him to name the greatest commandment. Jesus shut them down again by claiming God’s greatest commandment is to love.
It is beautiful to see Jesus’ quick wit and wisdom. Andreas Kostenberger and Justin Taylor wrote in their book, Escalating Conflict, “This is the real, historical Jesus: fully in control as he responds with grace and truth to traps on all sides. He knows what he is doing. And he knows what is coming.” Listen to Jesus on His confrontation with the religious leaders: “Blind guides. …For you are like whitewashed tombs – beautiful on the outside but filled on the inside with dead people’s bones and all sorts of impurity. Outwardly, you look like righteous people, but inwardly your hearts are filled with hypocrisy and lawlessness….Snakes! Sons of vipers! How will you escape the judgement of hell?” (Matthew 23:24-33).
Here is the question for us to ponder for this Tuesday of Holy Week. In what areas are we arguing with Jesus for our own agenda? In what ways can this be hypocritical? We may not be trying to trap Jesus or arrest Him. It can happen when we argue with Jesus about a truth Jesus has already given to us, but we want to do things our own way.
Later that Tuesday afternoon, Jesus went to the Mt. of Olives with his disciples. Jesus shared with the disciples about the end of the age and signs to look for before His second coming. The parables underscore the importance of being faithful, watchful and prepared because you never know when the bridegroom or owner (representing Jesus) will return. Jesus also teaches that there will be a sorting on judgement day between those who have faith in Jesus and those who do not. The teaching in each parable is a separate sermon, and you can read them in Matthew Chapters 24 and 25.
Day 4 Spy Wednesday: Jesus affirms a woman; Judas’ actions to betray Jesus
There is no specific teaching tied to this Wednesday of Holy Week. Jesus may have rested during the day, but most likely on Wednesday night, Jesus attended a dinner at Simon the Leper’s home. During the dinner, a woman anointed Jesus by pouring a very expensive perfume from an alabaster jar over His head. The disciples got indignant regarding her gesture as a waste. Jesus responded “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. Truly I tell you, whenever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her” (Matthew 26: 10-13). Jesus affirms women, not a common practice in His day. Notice that this occurred only two days before Jesus’ death. Jesus received the perfume as part of His own preparation to die, as affirmation from God, and God’s presence with Him. Jesus had His coming death on His mind. He knew what was coming. He knew what He had to do. He was staying the course. This loving gesture of the woman soothed His soul.
At the same time, the plot of the high priest and religious authorities to kill Jesus is in full swing. “Then the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, and they schemed to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him. ‘But not during the festival,’ they said, ‘or there may be a riot among the people’” (Matthew 26:3-5).
Then, Judas enters. “Then one of the Twelve – the one called Judas Iscariot- went to the chief priests and asked, ‘What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?’” So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over” (Matthew 26:14-16). Because of the actions of Judas, this day of Holy Week is sometimes called Spy Wednesday. We don’t know exactly why Judas decided to betray Jesus. We do know about Judas’ remorse and regret after the betrayal. Wednesday may seem like a quiet day, but many things were put in motion on that day.
Questions for us to ponder regarding Wednesday of Holy Week might be, as you consider the woman with the alabaster jar and Judas, what might you give to Jesus as an act of worship? In what ways do you betray or sell out Jesus by your words or actions?
Day 5 Maundy Thursday: Jesus washed the feet of His disciples; commandment to love each other through service, humility, and self-sacrifice
As the disciples prepared to share in the Passover, Jesus washed the feet of His disciples. In Bible times, the wearing of sandals in the dusty and dirty conditions necessitated foot washing. Foot washing was reserved for the lowest of menial servants. The disciples would have gladly washed Jesus’ feet, but they could not conceive of washing the feet of each other. In performing this act of service, Jesus modeled how believers should love one another through service, humility, and self-sacrifice. After washing the disciples’ feet, Jesus said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another” (John 13:34). “Maundy” is a Latin root word Jesus used meaning commandment or mandate.
Jesus has given us a new commandment to love one another. The questions regarding Maundy Thursday of Holy Week are, who are you reluctant to love? Who are you reluctant to serve?
Day 5 Thursday: Jesus celebrates Passover and establishes Communion
“I have been very eager to eat this Passover meal with you before my suffering begins. For I tell you now that I won’t eat this meal again until its meaning is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God” (Luke 33:15-16). Jesus fulfills the meaning of Passover literally by giving His body to be broken and his blood to be shed in sacrifice freeing us from sin and death. During this Last Supper Jesus established Communion, instructing the disciples to continually remember His sacrifice by sharing in the elements of bread and wine. Every time we take Communion together, we are remembering that Holy Thursday.
Later that evening Jesus and the disciples were headed to the Garden of Gethsemane. There Jesus struggled with his emotions and asked God twice if there is another way. The disciples kept falling asleep; they were unable to give Jesus the support that Jesus asked from them. Judas comes, kisses Jesus on the cheek as a signal to the Romans. Then Jesus is arrested. By now, it was the early hours of the next day, Good Friday.
Day 6 Good Friday: Jesus literally fulfills the meaning of Passover as the Lamb of God
So much happens on Good Friday that we don’t have time to explore in this message. By the end of Good Friday, Jesus experienced excruciating humiliation, pain, and suffering beyond what we could imagine. You can press a nail into some part of your body or dig in with your fingernail until it is uncomfortable. That is only a mini-fraction of what Jesus experienced. This can help us reflect on what Jesus endured for us.
Here are questions for us to ponder for Good Friday. In what areas are you willing to die for Jesus? What do you need to crucify in your own life out of your love for Jesus?
Day 7 Holy Saturday is silent
Jesus is in the tomb. So on Saturday of Holy Week, let us be still and quiet. Let us hold all that happened and is about to happen on Resurrection Sunday. We encounter Jesus in a fresh way every day. We remember all that Jesus went through so that we could be in relationship with God.
You are invited to engage during Holy Week in four ways. (1) Pick one of the gospels or all four and read the gospel anew. (2) Reflect on each day’s questions. (3) During Holy Week, join South Bay on Zoom at noon using the worship service link on our website. (4) Use the “Easter Now” App.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS INCLUDING FOR USE IN FAMILY GROUP
Sermon Preamble
-How can we recapture the meaning of Holy Week in a fresh way even though it feels so familiar to us?
Day 1 Palm Sunday: Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey as King of the Kingdom of God
- Who is Jesus in your life? Is Jesus merely a man who lived two thousand years ago? Or is Jesus the King, Lord, and Savior of your life? How does your life reflect your response?
Day 2 Holy Monday: Fig tree failing to bear fruit; Jesus’ followers bear spiritual fruit
-In what ways do you see spiritual fruit growing in your life, such as love, joy, peace, etc.?
Day 2 Holy Monday: Jesus’ indignation at corrupt money changers and sellers of doves at the temple
- What are some tables we may need to overthrow for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven?
Day 3 Holy Tuesday: Power of faith in alignment with God’s will; religious leaders’ attempts to trap Jesus
-In what areas are you arguing with Jesus for your own agenda? In what ways can this be hypocritical?
Day 4 Spy Wednesday: Jesus affirms a woman; Judas’ actions to betray Jesus
-As you consider the woman with the alabaster jar and Judas, what might you give to Jesus as an act of worship? In what ways do you betray or sell out Jesus by your words or actions?
Day 5 Maundy Thursday: Jesus washed the feet of His disciples; commandment to love each other through service, humility, and self-sacrifice
-Who are you reluctant to love? Who are you reluctant to serve?
Day 5 Thursday: Jesus celebrates Passover and establishes Communion
-What does your practice of Communion mean to you?
Day 6 Good Friday: Jesus literally fulfills the meaning of Passover as the Lamb of God
-In what areas are you willing to die for Jesus? What do you need to crucify in your own life out of your love for Jesus?
Day 7 Holy Saturday is silent
-As Jesus was silent in the tomb on Holy Saturday, what spiritual practices best help you to remember all that happened during Holy Week?
In this message, we are exploring the last 7 days of the life of Jesus on earth leading up to Easter/Resurrection Sunday. Jesus arrived in Jerusalem for Passover amidst celebrations and joy. He was hailed by the crowd and followers as their Savior, the new Messiah, and the Son of God. The adoration changed a few days later. Within those tumultuous 7 days, Jesus was abandoned by His friends, arrested, envied by authorities playing political games, tortured by police, tried in a rigged and bogus trial, and then put to death on a cross, in the most cruel, humiliating, and painful way possible. During Holy Week, Jesus was buried by his grief stricken friends and followers, and then He was seen again by those same people as He overcame death to live forever. This account is documented not only in the Bible, but also in the historical secular writings of those days. These 7 days changed the world and our lives forever. This week is the climax of history. Christians celebrate Holy Week every year. How can we recapture the meaning of Holy Week in a fresh way even though it feels so familiar to us? In recent weeks, we have been using the Chosen media series to see Jesus with fresh eyes, especially His humanity, divinity, humor, heart, and compassion for God’s beloved chosen people. As we journey through these 7 days, the holiest week of the Christian year, we consider what was happening for Jesus and what that means for us.
Day 1 Palm Sunday: Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey as King of the Kingdom of God
There is excitement in the air because something big is happening. It is Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a young donkey! As in a parade, a crowd of people lined the street with more coming and some running ahead to get a good spot.
Everything about this moment is significant. It fulfills the Old Testament prophecy written by Zechariah: “Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout. Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey” (Zechariah 9:9). Jesus is fulfilling prophecy and entering Jerusalem the same way old kings of Israel had centuries before. Jesus is acknowledging that He is indeed the King.
The people acknowledged Jesus by waving palm branches, which symbolize triumph and victory. They echoed these words from Psalms: “O Lord, save us; O Lord, grant us success. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. From the house of the Lord, we bless you” (Psalms 118:25-26). This Psalm is quoted in the gospel of Matthew: “The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest’” (Matthew 21:9). The crowds shouting “Hosanna” were expecting a warrior king who would free them from Roman oppression. Jesus coming on a donkey, not a majestic war horse, was a sign of humility and peace. The salvation given by Jesus is a different kind. Jesus is King of the Kingdom of God.
Our question for Palm Sunday: Who is Jesus in your life? Is Jesus merely a man who lived two thousand years ago? Or is Jesus the King, Lord, and Savior of your life? How does your life reflect your response?
On that Sunday evening, Jesus and the disciples spend the night in Bethany. This is the dwelling place of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, whom Jesus raised from the dead. They were close friends of Jesus. They hosted Jesus and the disciples during their final days in Jerusalem. Mark’s gospel records that Jesus explained to the disciples even before they entered Jerusalem what was to happen to Him in that city. It is reasonable that Jesus would have also told his dear friends. In His humanity, Jesus would have been aware that His time on earth was coming to an end. We sometimes forget that Jesus felt everything we feel. Jesus would have had mixed emotions. He would feel grief that he will miss them. At the same time, their company with Jesus was a comfort to Him for what lies ahead.
Day 2 Holy Monday: Fig tree failing to bear fruit; Jesus’ followers bear spiritual fruit
On Monday morning, Jesus returned with the disciples to Jerusalem. Along the way, Jesus cursed a fig tree because it had failed to bear fruit. Jesus used it to teach that true believers will bear spiritual fruit. This includes fruit such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, spiritual growth, spiritual maturity, and deepening love for God and neighbor.
One question for us for Holy Monday is, In what ways do you see spiritual fruit growing in your life, such as love, joy, peace (etc.)?
Day 2 Holy Monday: Jesus’ indignation at corrupt money changers and sellers of doves at the temple
Jesus went to the temple in Jerusalem. Jesus found the courts full of corrupt money changers. Jesus became angry that the holy place of worship had become a place for buying and selling with exploitation of the poor. Jesus’ heart was filled with love for the people who were being obstructed from worshipping God and also filled with love for the people who needed to be healed. In His indignation at the desecration of the temple and in His zeal for justice for the oppressed, Jesus overturned the tables. This enraged the vendors. Jesus proceeded to clear the temple from their wickedness. “Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. ‘It is written,’ He said to them, ‘My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of robbers.’ The blind and the lame came to Him at the temple, and He healed them” (Matthew 21:12-14).
Let’s hear the next verse: “But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple courts, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David,’ they were indignant” (Matthew 21:15). As we journey through Holy Week, we see a spiritual battle brewing. The battle is coming to a head as people engage with Jesus. Jesus is, in essence, bringing issues to the surface to accomplish His mission.
The day before on Palm Sunday, the crowd including even the little children, were saying, “Hosanna to the Son of David.” This ticked off the religious leaders. “‘Do you hear what these children are saying?’ they asked him. ‘Yes,’ replied Jesus, ‘have you never read, from the lips of children and infants you, Lord have called forth your praise’” (Matthew 21:16).
It is only Monday, but the collision course is already clear. Jesus is intensifying his public message and confronting the religious structure of that day. As Jesus continues to fulfill His mission, He knows exactly what He is doing and what lies before Him this week. There is no place for injustice, oppression, greed, or corruption in the house of God or in the Kingdom of God. Jesus is clearing the way for a new Kingdom order on earth as it is in heaven.
Another question for us for Holy Monday is, What are some tables we may need to overthrow for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven?
Matthew’s gospel records that after Jesus’ discourse with the religious leaders He went to Bethany where he spent the night. Most likely, Jesus returned to the home of Lazarus, Mary, and Martha, a place of warmth, hospitality, and peace for Jesus. We all need those places and people in our lives.
Day 3 Holy Tuesday: Power of faith in alignment with God’s will; religious leaders’ attempts to trap Jesus
On Tuesday, on their way back to Jerusalem, they pass the fig tree that Jesus cursed the day before. The tree is completely withered and is dead. Jesus used it to teach about the power of faith in God when we are in alignment with God’s will and way. “Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours” (Matthew 11:24).
On that Tuesday, the battle between Jesus and the religious leaders intensified. The religious leaders were upset at Jesus for establishing Himself as a spiritual authority. They organized an ambush with the intent to arrest Jesus. The religious leaders set four traps for Jesus. The first trap in Matthew 21:23-27 questioned His spiritual authority to which Jesus responded with a question of his own that stumped them. The second trap in Matthew 22:15-22 challenged Jesus on His allegiance to God or to Rome. Jesus silenced them by responding, “give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and give to God what is God’s.” The third trap in Matthew 22:23-33 attempted to ridicule Jesus’ belief in resurrection by asking how marriage would work in heaven. The fourth in Matthew 22:34-40 attempted to trap Jesus by challenging Him to name the greatest commandment. Jesus shut them down again by claiming God’s greatest commandment is to love.
It is beautiful to see Jesus’ quick wit and wisdom. Andreas Kostenberger and Justin Taylor wrote in their book, Escalating Conflict, “This is the real, historical Jesus: fully in control as he responds with grace and truth to traps on all sides. He knows what he is doing. And he knows what is coming.” Listen to Jesus on His confrontation with the religious leaders: “Blind guides. …For you are like whitewashed tombs – beautiful on the outside but filled on the inside with dead people’s bones and all sorts of impurity. Outwardly, you look like righteous people, but inwardly your hearts are filled with hypocrisy and lawlessness….Snakes! Sons of vipers! How will you escape the judgement of hell?” (Matthew 23:24-33).
Here is the question for us to ponder for this Tuesday of Holy Week. In what areas are we arguing with Jesus for our own agenda? In what ways can this be hypocritical? We may not be trying to trap Jesus or arrest Him. It can happen when we argue with Jesus about a truth Jesus has already given to us, but we want to do things our own way.
Later that Tuesday afternoon, Jesus went to the Mt. of Olives with his disciples. Jesus shared with the disciples about the end of the age and signs to look for before His second coming. The parables underscore the importance of being faithful, watchful and prepared because you never know when the bridegroom or owner (representing Jesus) will return. Jesus also teaches that there will be a sorting on judgement day between those who have faith in Jesus and those who do not. The teaching in each parable is a separate sermon, and you can read them in Matthew Chapters 24 and 25.
Day 4 Spy Wednesday: Jesus affirms a woman; Judas’ actions to betray Jesus
There is no specific teaching tied to this Wednesday of Holy Week. Jesus may have rested during the day, but most likely on Wednesday night, Jesus attended a dinner at Simon the Leper’s home. During the dinner, a woman anointed Jesus by pouring a very expensive perfume from an alabaster jar over His head. The disciples got indignant regarding her gesture as a waste. Jesus responded “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. Truly I tell you, whenever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her” (Matthew 26: 10-13). Jesus affirms women, not a common practice in His day. Notice that this occurred only two days before Jesus’ death. Jesus received the perfume as part of His own preparation to die, as affirmation from God, and God’s presence with Him. Jesus had His coming death on His mind. He knew what was coming. He knew what He had to do. He was staying the course. This loving gesture of the woman soothed His soul.
At the same time, the plot of the high priest and religious authorities to kill Jesus is in full swing. “Then the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, and they schemed to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him. ‘But not during the festival,’ they said, ‘or there may be a riot among the people’” (Matthew 26:3-5).
Then, Judas enters. “Then one of the Twelve – the one called Judas Iscariot- went to the chief priests and asked, ‘What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?’” So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over” (Matthew 26:14-16). Because of the actions of Judas, this day of Holy Week is sometimes called Spy Wednesday. We don’t know exactly why Judas decided to betray Jesus. We do know about Judas’ remorse and regret after the betrayal. Wednesday may seem like a quiet day, but many things were put in motion on that day.
Questions for us to ponder regarding Wednesday of Holy Week might be, as you consider the woman with the alabaster jar and Judas, what might you give to Jesus as an act of worship? In what ways do you betray or sell out Jesus by your words or actions?
Day 5 Maundy Thursday: Jesus washed the feet of His disciples; commandment to love each other through service, humility, and self-sacrifice
As the disciples prepared to share in the Passover, Jesus washed the feet of His disciples. In Bible times, the wearing of sandals in the dusty and dirty conditions necessitated foot washing. Foot washing was reserved for the lowest of menial servants. The disciples would have gladly washed Jesus’ feet, but they could not conceive of washing the feet of each other. In performing this act of service, Jesus modeled how believers should love one another through service, humility, and self-sacrifice. After washing the disciples’ feet, Jesus said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another” (John 13:34). “Maundy” is a Latin root word Jesus used meaning commandment or mandate.
Jesus has given us a new commandment to love one another. The questions regarding Maundy Thursday of Holy Week are, who are you reluctant to love? Who are you reluctant to serve?
Day 5 Thursday: Jesus celebrates Passover and establishes Communion
“I have been very eager to eat this Passover meal with you before my suffering begins. For I tell you now that I won’t eat this meal again until its meaning is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God” (Luke 33:15-16). Jesus fulfills the meaning of Passover literally by giving His body to be broken and his blood to be shed in sacrifice freeing us from sin and death. During this Last Supper Jesus established Communion, instructing the disciples to continually remember His sacrifice by sharing in the elements of bread and wine. Every time we take Communion together, we are remembering that Holy Thursday.
Later that evening Jesus and the disciples were headed to the Garden of Gethsemane. There Jesus struggled with his emotions and asked God twice if there is another way. The disciples kept falling asleep; they were unable to give Jesus the support that Jesus asked from them. Judas comes, kisses Jesus on the cheek as a signal to the Romans. Then Jesus is arrested. By now, it was the early hours of the next day, Good Friday.
Day 6 Good Friday: Jesus literally fulfills the meaning of Passover as the Lamb of God
So much happens on Good Friday that we don’t have time to explore in this message. By the end of Good Friday, Jesus experienced excruciating humiliation, pain, and suffering beyond what we could imagine. You can press a nail into some part of your body or dig in with your fingernail until it is uncomfortable. That is only a mini-fraction of what Jesus experienced. This can help us reflect on what Jesus endured for us.
Here are questions for us to ponder for Good Friday. In what areas are you willing to die for Jesus? What do you need to crucify in your own life out of your love for Jesus?
Day 7 Holy Saturday is silent
Jesus is in the tomb. So on Saturday of Holy Week, let us be still and quiet. Let us hold all that happened and is about to happen on Resurrection Sunday. We encounter Jesus in a fresh way every day. We remember all that Jesus went through so that we could be in relationship with God.
You are invited to engage during Holy Week in four ways. (1) Pick one of the gospels or all four and read the gospel anew. (2) Reflect on each day’s questions. (3) During Holy Week, join South Bay on Zoom at noon using the worship service link on our website. (4) Use the “Easter Now” App.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS INCLUDING FOR USE IN FAMILY GROUP
Sermon Preamble
-How can we recapture the meaning of Holy Week in a fresh way even though it feels so familiar to us?
Day 1 Palm Sunday: Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey as King of the Kingdom of God
- Who is Jesus in your life? Is Jesus merely a man who lived two thousand years ago? Or is Jesus the King, Lord, and Savior of your life? How does your life reflect your response?
Day 2 Holy Monday: Fig tree failing to bear fruit; Jesus’ followers bear spiritual fruit
-In what ways do you see spiritual fruit growing in your life, such as love, joy, peace, etc.?
Day 2 Holy Monday: Jesus’ indignation at corrupt money changers and sellers of doves at the temple
- What are some tables we may need to overthrow for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven?
Day 3 Holy Tuesday: Power of faith in alignment with God’s will; religious leaders’ attempts to trap Jesus
-In what areas are you arguing with Jesus for your own agenda? In what ways can this be hypocritical?
Day 4 Spy Wednesday: Jesus affirms a woman; Judas’ actions to betray Jesus
-As you consider the woman with the alabaster jar and Judas, what might you give to Jesus as an act of worship? In what ways do you betray or sell out Jesus by your words or actions?
Day 5 Maundy Thursday: Jesus washed the feet of His disciples; commandment to love each other through service, humility, and self-sacrifice
-Who are you reluctant to love? Who are you reluctant to serve?
Day 5 Thursday: Jesus celebrates Passover and establishes Communion
-What does your practice of Communion mean to you?
Day 6 Good Friday: Jesus literally fulfills the meaning of Passover as the Lamb of God
-In what areas are you willing to die for Jesus? What do you need to crucify in your own life out of your love for Jesus?
Day 7 Holy Saturday is silent
-As Jesus was silent in the tomb on Holy Saturday, what spiritual practices best help you to remember all that happened during Holy Week?
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