This is it. Holy Week is the most important week in the church and one of the greatest opportunities for Christ’s church to impact the world every year. In the West, people are usually more open to spiritual conversations during this time of year and many people who do not regularly attend church will attend a worship service this weekend in celebration of Christ’s resurrection.
But, Holy Week did not begin with Easter, or even Good Friday. Holy Week begins (and began) with Palm Sunday. On the Sunday before Jesus’s crucifixion, he entered Jerusalem on a donkey and a crowd welcomed him by spreading palm branches and their coats on the ground for Jesus to ride in upon.
Jesus was given the red carpet treatment, but not by the city or an established welcoming committee.
The crowd welcomed him.
The community of believers, and hopers and dreamers came together and welcomed Jesus.
As you prepare for Easter, remember, you do not compete with other Christians or other churches. If you desire see Jesus impact your community this Holy Week, put aside your competition and focus on collaboration and cooperation.
On Palm Sunday, the community cooperated to welcome Jesus. No one got what they expected from Jesus. He did not throw off the chains of Roman oppression or overthrow sham governments. Jesus died. But he died to save his people from their sin.
The community cooperated to welcome Jesus, and they got more than they bargained for, but what they received was hope and glorious salvation.
This Easter, celebrate Christ. Invite others to join you. And, as much as is possible, cooperate with others. You community needs to see a crowd coming together to welcome Jesus.
Photo by Brooke Lark on Unsplash
