photo: Botanical Garden, Singapore
The Holy Week starts on Palm Sunday, which signifies the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem with the people waving palm branches.
The great crowd heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, "Hosanna!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Blessed is the King of Israel!" - John 12: 12-13
Then and even now, the people mistakenly thought the Messiah would come as a victorious and reigning King, but Jesus the Messiah came as the suffering servant.
At Calvary Baptist Church, State College, palm leaves were thrown on the floor. Again, this was something new for both my wife and I.
Then on Thursday, we celebrate Maundy Thursday. The word "maundy", I learnt comes from the latin word "Mandatum," which refers to the new commandment or "mandate" that Jesus gave to His disciples at the Last Supper - "a new commandment I give unto you, that you should love one another as I have loved you." (John 13:34). At 7.30 pm, everyone in the church is invited to participate in an introspective worship service with communion, designed to focus the heart and mind on the events of the last evening of Christ's life. Also, Life Groups are encouraged to share a meal together before the worship service.
In the course of the Last Supper, and with specific reference to taking bread and wine, Jesus told his disciples, "Do this in remembrance of me".
photos from internet
On Friday, we celebrate Good Friday. The church encourages us to set aside some time in the day for a self-guided spiritual encounter through a series of interactive prayer stations, exploring the events of Christ's passion - the suffering of Jesus leading to His crucifixion and death. As the sacrificial Lamb, it heralded his impending role as the Suffering Servant of Israel (Isaiah 53, Zechariah 12:10).
And finally on Sunday, we celebrate the Good News of Easter! Christ resurrection - death has lost its sting! After the church service, we will be attending a potluck lunch gathering hosted by the Ambrose family.
