Category Archives: Holy Week 2013

Easter Sunday John 20:1-18 Today will be the last day of weeping for many people, just like it was for Mary.  The risen Christ comes to us and calls us by name, putting an end to the primal sadness that … Continue reading →

Holy Saturday John 19:38-42 Nicodemus had come to Jesus by night, apparently to keep his visit with Jesus a secret.  Joseph too was a “secret disciple.” Neither of them would have been expected to be the two who showed up … Continue reading →

Good Friday John19: 16-18 Good Friday is a day to ponder the difference between martyrdom and atonement. I once overheard an interesting conversation.  The first person was emphasizing the message of the Gospel that “Jesus died for you.” The second … Continue reading →

Maundy Thursday John 13:1-17; 31b-35 How many times will we have to read this passage before we get it? There is only one sign to the world that Christianity is real—Christians love each other. Whenever we play “one upsmanship” in … Continue reading →

Holy Wednesday John 13:21-32 Have you been handed a piece of bread by Jesus?  I have.  It is not the bread of forgiveness.  It is the bread of betrayal.  Like Judas, I have found myself at the table, knowing full … Continue reading →

Holy Tuesday John 12:20-36 When we receive holy communion, we say, “Christ has died.  Christ is risen. Christ will come again.” The journey of holy week takes us through the same three dimensions of faith.  The death and resurrection of … Continue reading →

Holy Monday John 12: 1-11 Tucked away in the holy-week story is a verse about Lazarus that we can easily overlook.  John tells us that he was in the chief priests’ cross-hairs along with Jesus.  Apparently, Lazarus’ experience and his … Continue reading →

Palm Sunday Luke 19: 28-40 Sometimes the church embarrasses me by its silence–that is, by its failures to proclaim the gospel in word and deed.  Sometimes I join the failure with a witness that leaves the gospel silent in a … Continue reading →