“After his anguish,he will see light and be satisfied. By his knowledge, my righteous servant will justify many, and he will carry their iniquities. Therefore, I will give him the many as a portion, and he will receive the mighty spoil, because he willingly submitted to death, and was counted among the rebels; yet he bore the sin of many and interceded for the rebels.” — Isaiah 53:11-12

Holy Week is upon us, and with that, I encourage each of us to consider the last week of Jesus’ life as we encounter each day. On Palm Sunday, Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, and the crowds laid down their cloaks on the road before Him, along with the cut branches from the trees. They shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” (Matthew 21:9). Yet one week later, those same crowds were shouting, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!”

Jesus spent His final week continuing to teach and to preach. On Thursday night, He observed Passover with His disciples, along with what we now call The Last Supper. During this celebratory feast, Jesus instituted The Lord’s Supper, communion, with His disciples. He broke the bread, blessed it, and they ate it. He told them it was His body broken for them. He took the cup, gave thanks, and they drank. He told them it was the blood of His covenant, poured out for all. His disciples were probably a bit confused at what was taking place because, even though Jesus had told them He would die then be resurrected three days later, they really didn’t get it at the time. I imagine their whole experience with following Jesus was utterly transformed when they saw His resurrected body. Just this morning at church, we observed the Lord’s Supper and took communion. We do this weekly at my local house of worship. And I treasure this experience. Each Sunday, a time of reflection is offered and followers of Jesus are given the space to pause, to reflect on all that Jesus has done and all that Jesus sacrificed and endured, and to reorient ourselves to the cross and our greater mission here on earth.

Following that evening in the Upper Room is what is known as Good Friday. At nine in the morning, Jesus was lifted up on the cross, His body broken and beaten beyond all human recognition. We are told in Isaiah that He was so severely disfigured that He no longer resembled a man. Jesus did that for me, for you, for my sin, and for your sin. His body was crushed, pierced, struck, tortured, and THEN hung on the cross, in humiliation, as His mother, His beloved disciple, John, and others watched in horror. People walked by, mocking Him, telling Him to save Himself off the cross. But one thief on the cross that hung next to Him saw Jesus for who He was and believed in Him as Messiah and Savior. The sin of every human past and present was cast on Jesus that long ago day. And God turned His face away, and Jesus cried out to His Father, “My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?” as it was foretold in the psalm centuries before. Jesus endured the suffering and separation so that we would not have to experience eternal separation from God. Then, at three p.m., Jesus cried out that it was finished.

Saturday was Sabbath so all work ceased. And they waited. They rested. They hid. They did not know what the coming days would hold. But then Sunday dawned, and the women hurried to the tomb where He was laid, only to find it empty, except the angel who sat on the rolled away stone. He told those women, “Don’t be afraid, because I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here. For he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.” (Matthew 28:5-6).

Friend, THAT is the Easter story. Sunday always comes. Jesus did not remain in that tomb. No, He conquered death once for all. He beat the grave. He is all victorious. He is glorious. And Jesus is our salvation, our shield, our refuge, our redeemer, and our friend. He won! That’s how the story ends–with eternity with God when we accept His free gift of salvation. Yes, salvation is free for us, but it cost Jesus His life. What are you doing with His gift of salvation?

As we journey through the days of Holy Week, may we not be distracted by our schedules, our busyness, our appointments, our commitments, our work, our worries, or whatever else consumes our days, our minds, our thoughts, and our hours. May we instead walk the path of Jesus each day and humbly reflect on what Jesus’ sacrifice means to each one of us individually. In humility, offer Him the praise He deserves. Find quiet places and spaces, as you are able, to journal or to pray, considering all that Jesus has done for you. Be in His Word, reading again the beautiful words of His life, death, and resurrection. Finally, take Jesus with you wherever you go throughout the day. May the words of Paul become our prayer, “Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship.” (Romans 12:1)