Why is Holy Week so Holy?

 

I’m not always sure we realize this as Christians, but Easter Sunday is the most important day in the Christian calendar.

In addition to that, the week leading up to Easter holds high importance as well. We call it Holy Week for a reason. The formal observance of Holy week didn’t officially begin until after the 4^th century. This was when the Nicene Creed was developed.

The Nicene Creed

We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
     he came down from heaven,
     was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary
     and became truly human.
     For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
     he suffered death and was buried.
     On the third day he rose again
     in accordance with the Scriptures;
     he ascended into heaven
     and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
     He will come again in glory
     to judge the living and the dead,
     and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son
     is worshiped and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic* and apostolic church.
We acknowledge one baptism
     for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
     and the life of the world to come. Amen.

What we believe is important and understanding the story is important.

Leaders of the church realized the importance of walking people through the last days of Christ’s life. From Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey that Sunday, to the nails driven into his hands on Friday.. and everything in between.

There's importance in a time when we reflect and renew what we believe, acknowledge and know to be true.

Holy week is when the 40 days of Lent come to a climactic end. The intention behind Holy Week is to encourage both joy and serious reflection. It’s a time for transformation, even purification of the heart in anticipation of Easter Sunday.

When we ask “Why is this week so Holy?” we’re asking “Why is Jesus so important?”

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

Jesus gave his life for you.

Jesus suffered for us that we could be in right relationship with God. He was beaten, and crucified for you and I.

He died so that we might live.

That’s what makes Holy Week Holy.

As we head into Holy week let’s remember why we acknowledge this time.

Attend services offered at your church during the week, to help you see more clearly the reason for celebrating Easter Sunday.

Immerse yourself in the Gospels, as you walk with Jesus and remember his short life here on earth. Recall all the lives he touched.

Prayerfully contemplate all he’s done in your life and the ways in which you have been blessed by his presence and peace as well.

When you do those things Easter Sunday will truly be a time of joyful celebration. You will be able to say the words “He is RISEN!” with a depth that fills your soul; and you will truly understand….

Why Holy week is really so Holy.

-Pastor Patti