We are now in the middle of Holy Week when we remember and celebrate the week that begins with Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem and ends with His triumphant exit from the tomb.
Once Jesus was inside Jerusalem, He dismounted from the colt and had the disciples return the donkey and colt to their owner. Then He headed to the temple. On entering the temple, He drove the money changers and merchants selling doves for sacrifice out of the temple along with their customers; knocking over their tables and releasing their birds. Once the temple court was cleared, He began to teach and heal the people to the consternation of the Pharisees. They demanded to know under whose authority he was doing all of these things? They knew. They just wanted a reason to arrest Him for blasphemy. Jesus asked them to first tell Him by what authority John preached and baptized? If they said by God’s authority they would be asked why they didn’t follow him, but they knew the people believed John was a prophet of God, so they couldn’t say by man‘s authority, so they said, “We don’t know.” Then Jesus refused to tell them His Authority.
Jesus continued to teach and heal each day until it was time to prepare their Passover supper. They gathered in an upper room for that sacred annual meal commemorating the angel of death passing over the homes of the Israelites sparing the life of their first born son because the blood of a sacrificial lamb was painted on their door post. It is traditionally a big feast with meat, vegetables and dessert. Interestingly, only the unleavened bread, wine and a bowl of broth or gravy to dip the bread in are mentioned in scripture. (We do know that the disciples had plenty to eat and drink because they couldn’t stay awake while Jesus prayed in the garden afterward.)
What is important is that Jesus was about to become the sacrificial Lamb whose blood will protect everyone who has painted it on their heart’s door post by accepting His sacrifice for their sins. The familiar words of Jesus as He broke the bread and blessed the cup are repeated every time we take communion to remind us His body was broken and His blood was shed for us.
I know all of this is very familiar to Christians, but we need to revisit those New Testament verses each year as we prepare our hearts to worship and celebrate Easter Sunday. Forgive an old man for not writing Resurrection Sunday. I refuse to turn Christmas and Easter over to those who want to try to hijack them. Are we going to start calling December 25th Holy Birthday? Not me! I will always be a Christian who praises God on Christmas and Easter. There is nothing evil about giving and receiving Christmas presents or hunting and eating Easter eggs. Those things are only distractions if we allow them to be. I’m tired of retreating and ceding territory to the world that belongs to God. Let the world change their terminology if they choose.