Devotions with Holly Woodbridge

What’s in a Week? A pondering by Holly Woodbridge
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The kids and I went through the last week of Jesus’ life in one evening a couple Wednesdays ago. It was like travelling through time at full speed. We played a game to get the events of Holy Week in order before we headed into the lesson. It can be a challenge. It is such a full week, so much packed in, so incredibly meaningful and significant. And now here we are, it has begun.

Matthew 21:7-9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,
“Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

The cry Hosanna means SAVE US! And these people are ready to be saved. They have been held under the oppressive hand of Rome for far too long.

But that was yesterday. The beautiful hope-filled hosannas are fading away now. The vibrant palm leaves are withering on the roadside. Yesterday, Palm Sunday, they got it right. They praised the King with joyful shouts. But it’s a new day, a new week, and something is coming.
Moving along through this holy week, we see Jesus clear the temple of the money changers, curse a fig tree, teach, warn, and prophesy. Passover is coming.

Monday passes. Tuesday Passes, Wednesday passes as Judas plots a betrayal, the Sanhedrin plan a murder, and Jesus prepares for dinner. Time moves on.

On Thursday, Jesus shares this dinner with His dear friends, it’s Passover. (Matthew 26.20-35), Later they head to a garden to pray. It is a time of precious fellowship and intimacy.
But things start changing quickly. Judas arrives with temple guards, Peter lops off an ear, the disciples scatter, Jesus is dragged to the high priest, accusations are made. Things turn violent, fists are flying at Jesus, his beard is ripped out, he is beaten and thorns are pushed into his head, all while he is mocked and belittled. And he took it. It was the plan.

And so Thursday has turned into Friday, Good they call it. He climbed a hill and let His own creation nail Him to a cross. He hung there, the perfect lamb. He died there and He was buried. (Matthew 27:27-54)
Remember, he didn’t ride through the gates of Jerusalem as a warrior on a valiant horse. He came on a donkey. He came humbly. He came to serve. He came to die. And he did.
But don’t be fooled. Those Hosannas will be answered. He will save! He doesn’t need a horse. He doesn’t need a sword. For He is most certainly a Warrior, He is most definitely a King, and He is unquestionably a conqueror.

So, He does what only can be done by the Son of God. He RISES! (Matthew 28:1-7)Do you see Him? More importantly, do you know Him? It was you he came to love; you he came to save. Your cry of Hosanna has been answered.

So, what can happen in a WEEK? EVERYTHING! And this can be the Week it happens for you!