The Last Week
Palm Sunday is when Jesus made his Triumphal Entry into the city of Jerusalem. We might call it Easter Week. It all began with Jesus riding into the city on a young donkey. The people lined the road with their cloaks and 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!” Almost everyone was praising Jesus and worshiping him as he rode into the city. That was on Sunday.
But look what happens in just five days. On Thursday night, Jesus is eating his last supper with his disciples. It starts out with Jesus washing the disciples feet. Then they eat. Judas Iscariot is then pointed out to be the one to betray Jesus. They go out to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. Jesus leaves his disciples and goes off by himself to pray. “My father, if it possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
That Thursday night Jesus is arrested and put through several trials by the religious leaders and then before Pilate himself. Pilate knows that Jesus is innocent of all charges brought against him, but washes his hands of the whole mess and gives into the mob and sentenced Jesus to be crucified.
On Friday Jesus is put to death on the cross. We call it “Good Friday.” How can it be “Good” when Jesus is killed on the cross? It is “Good” because Jesus had to die on the cross, shed his blood fr the sins of the world. Your sins and mine.
We call it “Good because we know the rest of the story. “Sunday is coming!” Easter Sunday we celebrate the Risen Lord! Jesus is alive!