"A Journey Through Holy Week"

Palm Sunday Sermon – A Journey Through Holy Week - 3/29/26

The scripture for today will be read by choir members throughout the sermon and the sermon, which is not a typical one, is inspired by this banner which represents events during Holy Week, although they are not in sequential order.
We like to celebrate Palm Sunday and Easter because they are happy and exciting. But a lot happens between those Sundays which we don’t get a chance to talk about unless there is a special service during the week. So, today we are going to take a journey through Holy Week touching on some of the events and choir members will read scripture related to the events. There is too much to cover in such a short length of time so in the bulletin there is a sheet giving you information on where you can find Holy Week in each of the Gospels. Hopefully, you can find some time this week to read at least one of them and then I think you will appreciate next Sunday, Easter, even more. 
If you don’t have a Bible at home, feel free borrow one from the pews. The rest of that sheet has Old Testament prophesies and their fulfillment found in the book of Matthew.

 Today is Palms Sunday and as you can see the Palms are not first on the banner but on the lower right and that is where we will begin. As you know during the last three years Jesus has been teaching and leading his disciples. He has performed miracles like healing, casting out demons and even raising the dead and he has developed a following of many people. Much of this has upset the religious leaders and they have falsely accused him of not following the religious laws and traditions which has caused problems.  
Now – Palm Sunday - The Triumphal Entry or Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King. The reading is from Mark 11:1-10.
11 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 3 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’”4 They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, 5 some people standing there asked, “What are you doing, untying that colt?”6 They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. 7 When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it.8 Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields.9 Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” 10 “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
Later that day or the next day, depending on which Gospel you read, Jesus entered the Temple courtyard and flipped over the tables of merchants and money changers. These people were cheating those coming to purchase something for a Passover sacrifice and it was also disrespectful to God. What Jesus did angered the Pharisees even more. In the next days, Jesus continues to teach and tell parables some indicating the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and so they would like to get rid of Jesus. 
Hear now from Matthew 21:45-46
45 When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard Jesus’ parables, they knew he was talking about them.46 They looked for a way to arrest him, but they were afraid of the crowd because the people held that he was a prophet.
The Chief Priest and Elders of the People begin to plot against Jesus and they scheme to arrest him secretly and kill him. Matthew 26: 1-5. 
26 When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples, 2 “As you know, the Passover is two days away—and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.” 3 Then the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, 4 and they schemed to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him. 5 “But not during the festival,” they said, “or there may be a riot among the people.”
Then, Judas agrees to betray Jesus -   Matthew 26:14-16
14 Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests 15 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.16 From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.
This leads us up to Maundy Thursday and the Last Supper. 
Two disciples were told to go and prepare the Passover meal in an upper room. Which they did. Several things happened during the meal, one of which has to with the first image on the banner, the bowl and towel. This image will be used again later.  That evening after sunset, Jesus washed His disciples' feet as they prepared to share in the Passover meal.  By performing this humble act of service, Jesus demonstrated by example how His disciples should serve the church.     John 13: 12-17
12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them.13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
During the Passover meal Jesus also reveals what is going to happen to him and Jesus says, one of you will surely hand me over to my enemies. Judas replies, “Teacher, surely you don’t mean me”.  Judas leaves and later did betray him. 
After Judas had gone, Jesus gave the disciples a New Commandment. John 14:34-35
34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
This is a little different than a previous command to “Love others as you would love yourself.” because it is commanding that they love as he loves – unconditionally, sacrificially. 
Now, as the Lamb of God, Jesus was about to fulfill the meaning of Passover by giving His body and his blood in sacrifice, freeing us from sin and death. At this time, Jesus held the Lord's Supper, instructing His followers to continually remember His sacrifice by sharing in the bread and wine which is noted in the image on the bottom left. You are very familiar with this passage as it is said when we receive communion although this is a different translation. Matthew 26:26-29
26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”27 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you.28 This is my blood of the[a] covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”
Before heading to the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus tells the disciples that they will reject him.  Peter claims that he will never deny him and Jesus answers that this very night before the rooster crows, you will disown me. 
And we see the image of a rooster in the upper right side of the banner.
Jesus and the Disciples go to the garden where Jesus prays to God three times asking “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as your will.” The disciples try to stand watch but of course we know they do fall asleep. 
Jesus wakes them to say his betrayer was coming. It was time for Judas to betray Jesus and identify him with a kiss so Jesus could be arrested. Matthew 26:47- 49
47 While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” 49 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him.
After Jesus’ arrest he was taken to the house of Caiaphas, the high priest. They wanted to find him guilty so he could be put to death. They tried to get people to tell lies about him but no one would. The high priest asked him if he was the Messiah, the Son of God. The next scripture is how he answered.  Matthew 26:64-66 
64 “You have said so,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” 65 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy.66 What do you think?” “He is worthy of death,” they answered.
During this time, Peter was nearby trying to find out what was happening. People in the area recognized him and said he was one of Jesus’ followers to which he denies knowing him. After the third time, a rooster crowed.
Jesus was then brought to Pilate, the Roman governor, to be tried as the Jewish leaders were not allowed to execute him. 
When Pilate asked him if he was the King of the Jews – again Jesus answered – “You have said so” and made no reply to the accusation. 
During Passover the governor always frees a prisoner chosen by the people and he offered them a choice, Jesus or Barabbas, who was a notorious criminal. Being influenced by the religious leaders, the people chose Barabbas. Pilate asked the people what should be done with Jesus and they replied “Crucify Him, nail him to a cross.” Pilate did not want anything to do with it.  Now - Matthew 27:24-26
24 When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!”25 All the people answered, “His blood is on us and on our children!” 26 Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.
And so, we have the image of the gavel. Jesus was judged by the Chief Priests and by the Roman governor. The bowl and towel are mentioned again as Pilate washed his hands of the decision. 
Jesus was then given over to the Governor’s soldiers and the orders for crucifixion are carried out.  The soldiers twisted a crown of thorns and placed it on his head and they mocked him saying “Hail, King of the Jews” and struck him on the head with the staff they had given him. Jesus was led to a place called Golgotha, and he was nailed to a cross. Now a reading from Matthew 27: 35-38
35 When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. 36 And sitting down, they kept watch over him there. 37 Above his head they placed the written charge against him: this is Jesus, the King of the Jews.38 Two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left.
Thus, we have the dice – representing the casting of lots.
And now the reading of his death. Matthew 27: 45- 46, 50-52 & 54
45 From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. 46 About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli,[a] lemasabachthani?” (which means )“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”). 50 And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split 52 and the tombs broke open. 54 When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”
Later that evening Joseph of Arimathea asked for Jesus’ body. Pilate granted the request. Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth and put it in his own tomb that had been cut into solid rock and had never been used. He rolled a large stone against the entrance and left. The next day, which was the Sabbath, the chief priests ask Pilate to have the grave guarded for three days to prevent anyone from stealing the body and claiming that Jesus had risen from the dead. So, the grave was sealed tight and soldiers were there to guard it. 
And now, we await Resurrection Day – Easter. 
Let us pray: Dear Lord, thank you for providing us with this scripture so we have an accounting of Holy Week preparing us for the Resurrection Day to come. May we always remember the sacrifice, grace and humble love of our savior, Jesus Christ. Amen