Holy Week 2022

Holy Week is a special week for Christ-followers throughout the world. This is the week we travel with Jesus to the cross and prepare our hearts for the greatest day in history – Easter Sunday! Easter is the day Jesus – our Savior – conquered death, rose from the grave, and made a way for us to spend eternity with our Sovereign God! May we grow in the depth of our understanding of His love and the price that was paid for us.

Wednesday – The Religious Leaders Plot to Kill Jesus Matthew 26:14-16 Mark 14:10-11 Luke 22:3-6 Jesus lived 33 sinless years. By His goodness and grace, He allows everyone to make a decision – our will or His will. Do we want religion OR are we willing to accept Jesus? The Religious Leaders did not want to give up their way of life. They liked the comfortable life of religion. Yet, following Jesus costs us. Following Jesus costs us our time, resources, and our own agenda. May we be people who are willing to lay down our lives to follow the One who laid down His life for us.

Maundy Thursday – The Last Supper and the Garden of Gethsemane Matthew 26:17-29 & 36-46 Mark 14:12-25 & 32-42 Luke 22:7-20 & 40-46 John 13:1-38 Jesus shares the Passover meal with the disciples, whom He loves. He makes it very clear that “His Body” is the bread, and it will be broken for us, and “His blood” is the new covenant which will be poured out for us. Think about the depth of Jesus’ love for His disciples. Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” John 15:13. May we be people who know how much we are loved and may we live in His love each and every day.

Thursday Night – Jesus’ Arrest & Trial Matthew 26:47-27:26 Mark 14:43-15:15 Luke 22:47-23:25 John 18:2-19:16 Make no mistake – it was not the religious leaders nor the soldiers who arrested Jesus that night. Jesus could have called down legions of angels and stopped this at any moment. But, the love and grace of God took Jesus to the cross. Jesus willingly gave His life for you. Have you ever thought about the fact that someone died for you? Someone willingly gave up their life for you. May we live with gratitude and be forever grateful that Jesus died for us.

Good Friday – Jesus’ Crucifixion and Death Matthew 27:27-56 Mark 15:16-41 Luke 23:26-49 John 19:17-30 Jesus suffered and died for you and for me. He laid down His life so that you and I can truly live. “For the wages of sin is death” Romans 6:23, and death is eternal separation from Holy God because in Him is no sin. Jesus took our place; He stood in the gap. He made a way for us to have eternal life. Sometimes we treat sin so casually. We think, “I can do this, even though it is wrong because God will forgive me.” Yes, God will forgive us, but there is a price that must be paid. May we remember all that Jesus endured for us.

As we reflect on what all Jesus endured for us during Holy Week, may we be forever grateful for His love, grace, and mercy. May this week draw us closer to our Lord and Savior, Jesus. My prayer is that we all grow deeper in our faith and more passionate about our relationship with the Son who loves us more than we can ever dream or imagine. Thank You, Jesus!

Easter – Come celebrate that Jesus is Alive! “He is not here! He has Risen!” We have Good Friday online service starting at 12 noon (view every hour on the hour), Easter Jam virtual and then in-person as well as 19 Easter services between all our campuses (in-person and online) plus an ABC special (Channel 2) at 12:30 pm on Easter Sunday – rollinghills.church/easter