The drama and emotion of Good Friday is over.  The crowds are gone, the cross is empty, and Jesus’ body is in the tomb.  It is shabat (the Sabbath).  It is a time of waiting, of resting, for no labor can be done on shabat.  Today, Holy Saturday, is a day for us to wait and rest too.  It is a day to try and grasp all that has occurred this Holy Week; to try and make sense of it all.  We have the perspective of history to help us, but for now—just for a little while—see if you can feel what those who loved and followed Jesus felt on that Saturday long ago.  In their grief and disillusionment, they did not remember all that Jesus had said and done to prepare them for this terrible event, nor were they able to theologize and make sense of this whole tragedy, using references from the prophets and other sacred writings.  All they knew was that Jesus, their Rabbi/Teacher, their Master—the one they had followed, lived with, trusted—was dead.

 May these photos and readings help you to reflect and make new sense of the meaning of Christ’s passion and death. They are part of the event that changed all of human history—indeed, all of creation! There is so much here to ponder and glean.  What new insights might the Holy Spirit bring to mind for you today?

Readings for Holy Saturday:  (a collection of texts and verses related to the events of Holy Week)  Psalm 22:1/18, Psalm 34:20, Psalm 35:19, Psalm 41:9, Psalm 69:4, Psalm 88, Psalm 118:22-23/25-26, Isaiah 52:13-15, Isaiah 53, Isaiah 56:7, Jeremiah 7:11, Zechariah 9:9, Zechariah 11:12-13, Zechariah 12:10, Zechariah 13:7, Deuteronomy 21:22-23, John 6:39

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It is Good Friday, the day we remember Jesus’ walk to Calvary, his crucifixion, and death.  It is the most solemn day of the Church Year.  It is a day for us to be especially mindful of what Jesus did on our behalf, and to think about how we can respond most appropriately.  Jesus did something very extreme for us, suffering incredible brutality and pain and, ultimately, dying on the cross.  What can we do—what extreme kind of response can we offer—to show our love and gratefulness to the Lord?  The word “sacrifice” is not a popular word today, nor is the idea itself.  We prefer comfort, familiarity, and safety in our lives.  But in light of what we witness today—the God of the universe dying for us—a sacrificial response on our part seems only right.  Listen today for how the Holy Spirit might be calling you to sacrifice your life in some way, as you consider Christ’s sacrifice on the cross of Calvary.

The photos are of the Via Dolorosa and of the two possible sites of Golgotha and the Tomb of Jesus:  the Holy Sepulcher Church and the Garden Tomb. 

Readings for Good Friday:  Matthew 27:1-66, Mark 15:1-47, Luke 22:66-23:56, John 18:28-19:42

Via Dolorosa means “Way Of Suffering.”  It is the path Jesus walked from Pilate’s palace to Calvary, and is traditionally marked by 14 stations, “The Stations Of the Cross.”  The path winds its way through the everyday sights, sounds, and smells of the Muslim Quarter of the Old City.  Of course, the actual street from the time of Jesus is no longer there.  However, the length of the walk is approximately the same, and there are historical connections to some of the stations along the way.  Christian pilgrims from all over the world retrace the steps of Jesus when they come to Jerusalem, stopping at each of the 14 stations to read, pray, and remember what Jesus endured along the “Way Of Suffering.”

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Today is Maundy Thursday, the day that commemorates the Last Supper and the beginning of the sacrament of Communion.  The word “Maundy” comes from the Latin mandatum, which means “commandment.”  At the Last Supper, Jesus gave his disciples a new commandment:  to love one another as he had loved them (John 13:34).  Many things happened at this meal, and afterwards:  the Garden of Gethsemane, Judas’ betrayal, Jesus’ arrest and questioning before the high priest, Peter’s denial of Jesus, and Jesus being mocked and beaten.  Beginning today, the intensity of events begins to build, culminating in the glory of the Resurrection on Sunday.  However, do not rush too quickly to the joy of Easter.  Use these next days and hours to enter fully into the experience of Christ’s passion and death.  Read and pray, meditate and ponder, imagine and engage in these events yourself by taking part in a Maundy Thursday service at your church, spending time in silence on Good Friday from noon until 3:00 p.m. (the time when Christ was on the cross), being still and maintaining a sense of expectancy on Holy Saturday, until you can shout with Mary and the disciples:  “He is risen!” at sunrise on Easter Sunday.  Let these images from the Upper Room, Gethsemane, and the House of Caiaphas draw you into the drama of today’s events. Continue Reading »

The architecture of Jerusalem is very diverse, from modern office buildings to ancient worship spaces.  The structures marking the various Christian sites are beautiful, awe-inspiring spaces.  As you observe these photos of the churches that have been built over the locations of Jesus’ passion and death, think of all the people who have visited these places over the centuries and expressed, in very diverse ways, their devotion to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

Readings for Wednesday of Holy Week:  Matthew 25:1-26:16, Mark 13:1-14:11, Luke 22:1-6

The interior ceiling of Dominus Flevit, the “Church Of the Tear,” on the Mount of Olives. Continue Reading »

There are innumerable pieces of art around the Holy City.  Art of all kinds:  paintings, sculptures, mosaics, stained glass windows, metal work, wood work, on and on. Today I am going to share some of the artistic renderings of Christ that are in Jerusalem.  May these images help you to ponder the deep meaning of this week and to give thanks for the incredible gift of God’s love made manifest in the life of our Savior, Jesus.

Readings for Tuesday of Holy Week:  Matthew 23:1-24:51, Mark 11:20-12:44. Luke 21:1-38, John 12:37-50

This mosaic depicts the agony of Jesus as he prayed in Gethsemane.  It is inside the Church Of All Nations, above the rock where Jesus supposedly prayed.  Notice the angel coming from heaven to strengthen him (Luke 22:43). Continue Reading »