I grew up in a tradition that really celebrated the Holy Week before Easter. During the Holy Week, We would go to church morning and evening culminating on Easter Sunday with a celebration of Easter and the resurrection.
As you study scripture, each day, the week before Easter, is filled with events that surrounded the life of Jesus.
As an example, Thursday (Passover) is called Maundy Thursday as it commemorates the Last Supper. Maundy comes from the Latin word “command.” It is here that Jesus “commanded his disciples to love one another.”
“He replied, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.’ ””
Matthew 26:18 NIV
There are two thoughts in the words of Jesus that I want us to think about.
1- My appointed time
2- Let’s celebrate
1. My Appointed Time
Jesus said, "My appointed time is near." Jesus was talking about His death. Jesus knew that He was going to die! He was prepared to die.
We all have an appointed time to which we are going to die and we must be prepared.
The Passover meal was given so the people of Israel would remember how God delivered them from Egyptian bondage.
For us, it is a memorial about how God delivered us from bondage also by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Observance of the Lord’s Supper helps us in life and death. It’s helps us to understand the real meaning of life and helps us to prepare for our eventual death by trusting in Christ our Savior.
2. Let's Celebrate!
Jesus said, "My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples..."
I want to zero in on the word "celebrate."
Eating time often means a celebration time for us. WE LOVE TO EAT! (At least I do).
In a real sense, mealtime is a celebration time. It’s a time of joy and hopefully, good conversation as well.
It’s been said that a good conversation can liven up a poor meal, and a bad conversation can spoil a good meal.
It’s nice if we have the best of both: a good meal and a good conversation. We all should try to make our meals a time of joyous celebration. We don’t need to be fighting and arguing around the meal table. We should be thankful and happy.
When Jesus said he was going to celebrate the Passover with his disciples it was to be a serious time and yet, a time of joy.
When we observe the Lord’s Supper and remember our Lord’s death on the cross it should also be a serious time and yet a time of joy. Serious, because Jesus was serious about His mission of bearing our sins in His body on the tree, serious about becoming sin for us.
And yet, it should be a time of joy. We should be utterly excited and happy about the fact that Jesus made it possible for us to go to heaven! If this isn’t good news and reason for rejoicing, I don’t know what is!
I’m not suggesting that we should hoop and holler when we partake of the Lord’s Supper, but our prayers should certainly be filled with praise and rejoicing. As in, "Thank you! Thank you! Praise you! Praise you! Bless you! Bless you! I can’t thank you enough, Lord!"
In regard to celebration, you may wonder how Jesus could consider the Passover a time of celebration, knowing that His death was just around the corner.
He could and here is why.
“Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Hebrews 12:2 NIV
The joy set before Him. Jesus could endure the cross with all of it’s torment and agony because He knew what was going to happen on the other side. He knew the eventual outcome of it all!
He knew that He was going to live through it. He knew he was going to be resurrected! He knew he was going to be exalted in heaven!
And more than anything, He knew he was purchasing our forgiveness and opening the door to heaven to us! HE COULD CELEBRATE WITH GREAT JOY BECAUSE OF THE JOY HE WAS BRINGING TO OUR LIVES!
Those who celebrate the best are those who celebrate on behalf of others. And that’s exactly what Jesus did for us. And what we must do for others. We endure many things for the sake of others! LIFE CAN AND SHOULD BE A CELEBRATION OF LIVING FOR OTHERS!
So, as you enter the next few “holy” days I want to encourage you to remember three things:
1- Remember that you must prepare for your eventual death.
2- Remember Jesus and celebrate what He has done for you.
3- Remember that to live for Jesus means to live for others.
In doing so, you are making room for this to be the most special Holy Week and can celebrate the blessing of what and why Jesus did what He did.
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