Holy Week Christians have long recognized the significance of the final week of Jesus’ life. We call it “Holy Week.” It is a week like no other. 

During this week, Jesus proclaims that “the hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified” (John 12:23). The fullness of time has arrived. 

During this week, the Creator of the universe “humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Phil. 2:8). 

During this week, the Promised Messiah “was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). 

During this week, God our Savior provides eternal salvation to all who trust in Him, “not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy” (Titus 3:5). 

In other words, this week is all about the fulfillment of God’s eternal plan to save humanity. It is the week that gives us hope in our present circumstances, and hope for all eternity. 

Use this devotional as a tool to reflect on the greatness of our God and Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Each day has a Scripture text and a brief devotional thought written by one of our Trinity Church staff members. 

Three words of instruction:  1. Open your Bible and read the text each day. We follow the story in the Gospel of John. 

2. Use the devotional thought to meditate on the amazing truths about Jesus. 

3. Pray to and worship your Savior. 

It is our hope and prayer that this devotional will deepen your love, devotion, and worship as you reflect on the great love that God demonstrates for us through Jesus Christ. 

-Trinity Church Staff, Holy Week 2020

Palm Sunday John 12:12-19

“The God who Keeps Promises”

It is probably easy for you to think of a promise made to you that was broken. Perhaps a parent, or a friend, a spouse, or an employer. As humans, unfortunately we are all too often known for breaking promises and all too familiar with the feeling of betrayal. 

In contrast, we are called to worship the God who keeps His promises. All of them. This week we remember how God keeps His promises, especially His promises to save us from our sins. 

Palm Sunday begins Holy Week with a fulfilled promise. Try to visualize what is happening in John 12:12-19. It is a scene of wild celebration, the city of Jerusalem is teeming with tens of thousands of extra people who have arrived to celebrate the Passover. When Jesus arrives on a donkey, they begin shouting and waving palm branches, screaming “Hosanna!” at the top of their lungs. This is a welcome fit for a king, a king who would bring peace. John tells us that this happened,  “Just as it is written.” 

Here on  Palm  Sunday, God is fulfilling the promise he made long ago in the days of the prophet Zechariah, the promise that John quotes in v.15 (Zech. 9:9). God’s promise through Zechariah was that one day he would send a King who would save his people and make all things right again. Zechariah goes on to say, “On that day, the Lord their God will save them, as the flock of his people…” (9:16). 

Jesus enters Holy Week to fulfill God’s promise to save his people. He rides into the city of Jerusalem as the Messiah, the one annointed by God to save us and bring us peace. We can trust him to fulfill his promises. All of them.

-Marcus Busenitz

Holy Monday John 12:1-11

“The God who Reclines at Table”

If you knew you had only one week to live, how would you spend your time? As Jesus moves into his final week of life on earth, we find him sharing a meal with some of his closest friends. He wants to spend time with them. He has a relationship with them. Four people are mentioned in this account: Martha is serving (John 12:2). Lazarus, whom Jesus actually raised from the dead, is likely reflecting on his post-death experience (how many people can actually say that???). Mary is worshiping (John 12:3). Judas misses the point (John 12:4-8).

As we celebrate Holy Week, and every other week of the year, I would encourage you to respond to Jesus as the three friends do in this story:

1.Serve Jesus—what a joy it is to serve the Savior of the Universe, the one who gives us life. Martha knows him, and says: “I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God.” She willingly serves the one who will serve her just a few days later through his death. How can you serve him today? 2.Talk  with Jesus—throughout the gospels, we see Jesus having conversations with all different kinds of people. Here in this story, he converses with Lazarus, whom he has raised from the dead. Jesus longs to spend time with you, to talk with you through prayer. Six days after this meal with Lazaraus, Jesus says to you, “It is finished.” Because of his finished work, you have open access to talk to him at any time. When will you talk with him today? 3.Worship Jesus—Mary shows us how to sacrificially worship, as she spends a year’s salary on her gift of perfume (John 12:4). Worship is recognizing who God is, and then giving him what he is worth. Give Jesus your first, and your best. He deserves it. How will you worship him today?

Jesus spends one of the final days of his life with his friends. Sharing a meal with them. He has a relationship with them. That is the difference between Judas, and the other three characters in this story. They have a relationship of love and trust with him. Judas does not. The events of Holy Week are really all about the relationship that Jesus offers to all who trust him. He longs to spend time with you, for all eternity. Do you know him and trust him? 

-Marcus Busenitz

Holy Tuesday John 12:20-26

“The God who is Glorified in his Death”

Can you think of a time when you had to do something extremely hard that you knew had to be done to benefit someone else? It can be very difficult to do something that you know may cause you pain, but will help someone else. That is what Jesus is predicting in these verses of John.

As we progress in the book of John, we see that some Greeks are looking for Jesus. They told Philip that they wish to see Jesus. Philip told Andrew and the two of them went to Jesus. Jesus’ response was an illustration of why he had to die.

V 23-24 “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.”

As we think about the word Glory we typically do not think about death. The word Glory is defined as high renown or honor won by notable achievements. To think that someone can be glorified in death while being treated like a criminal is hard to fathom. Yet, that is what happened with Jesus. Through his death, burial and resurrection he was glorified.

A grain of wheat must die and be buried in order to produce many more grains. This is an illustration of the necessary sacrifice of Jesus. He knew that he had to die to pay the penalty for our sins, but also to show his power over death. His resurrection proves that he has eternal life. His death was necessary so that many can believe in him and have eternal life with him. This message was for the Jews as well as the Greeks. Jesus came to save all sincere believers.

~Kara Ellis

Holy Wednesday John 13: 21-32

“The God Who Is Betrayed”

John 13: 21 After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified. “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” John writes, “The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke.” But Jesus knew.

His three year ministry had run its course. How many campfires had He experienced with His disciples… with His twelve chosen ones… with Judas? Little did the disciples know of the events that would soon transpire… of the diabolical conspiracy that Judas had joined… of the terrible plan that he would soon execute. But Jesus knew.

One definition of “Betray” goes like this: To expose a person to danger by treacherously giving information to an enemy. You have experienced betrayal, haven’t you? It was not of the magnitude that Jesus went through. But someone has repeated a story that you shared in confidence. Someone has undermined you in order to receive the promotion. Someone you trusted has sold you out and broken your heart.

The Son of Man experienced betrayal. In fact, this is one of the ways He actually bore your grief and your sorrow. He, more than anyone else, understands how you feel currently or how you have felt when the wrongdoing occurred. You may feel isolated… but Jesus knows. And because He knows, you are not alone.

Yes, our Savior died for our sins. His sacrificial act should make us ever so thankful. But let us not forget that before He was arrested, He was betrayed. It is indeed one more way that Christ experienced our humanity… rejection… deep, emotional pain.

During this Holy Week, bear in mind that the Lord Jesus really loves you. He can empathize with your innermost hurt. And He promises that one day, He will wipe away every tear.

~ Miguel Lopez

Maundy Thursday John 13:1:17; 31b – 35

“The God Who Loves Us by Serving Us”

One evening while I was cooking, I asked my daughter to join me and help. Not because I couldn’t do it without her, but because I wanted her to be with me and make memories. I thought, “If it’s something good enough for me to do, then it’s something good enough for her to do too.” Suddenly I heard the still small voice of Jesus say, “It’s the same for me and you.” (John 13:16,17)

Making memories with those you love stay in your heart forever. It’s usually the little things you remember about them that become priceless, and keep them near in your heart. For me, it’s cooking like my Dad, eating my Grandmother’s banana bread, and reading the words of my mom’s favorite scriptures. When I am missing them, doing those things warm my heart.

Jesus, knowing his disciples’ would be missing him soon, and… “… knowing ….that He had come from God and was returning to God, Got up from supper, took off His garments, and taking a towel, He fastened it around His waist. Then he poured water into the wash basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet…” (John 13:3 )

What a picture, what a memory for His disciples! He humbly served them and washed their feet! What better way for them to remember Him and continue to keep him near in their hearts.

“If I then, your Lord and Teacher have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet.”(v14)

What better way for us to allow Him into our hearts than by loving, serving and forgiving others.

Lord, as we remember you today, help us to love like you did. Help us to comfort one another, forgive one another and rejoice knowing you are right beside us, touching and loving our world.

~ Amy Gex

Good Friday John 19:28-37

“The God who Dies for Sinners”

Good Friday. How could this day be called “good?” 

On “Good” Friday, the carpenter from Nazareth is nailed to a wooden cross. On “Good” Friday, the one who heals is pierced by thorns, nails, and a spear. On “Good” Friday, the one who offers living water cries out, “I thirst!” as his own life trickles away.  On “Good” Friday, the Good Shepherd is led like a lamb to be slaughtered.  On “Good” Friday, the only innocent human being who has ever lived is executed after a mock trial.  On “Good” Friday, the Creator of all life has his own life snuffed out. And is buried in a tomb.

All of this is quite enough to make us change the name to “Bad Friday.” Except for one thing… Jesus says from the cross, “It is finished” (John 19:30). What is finished, exactly? 

The work of redemption is finished.  Jesus willingly suffers the punishment that we deserve for our sin (Isaiah 53:5-6). Jesus joyfully offers us the promise of eternal life through faith in him (John 3:16; Eph. 2:8-9).  Jesus washes away our sins. All of them. Completely. There is nothing we can add. Or subtract. The work is done. It is finished. And this is good news for us.

And so on Good Friday, we remember and mourn the terrible price that was paid. But we also rejoice in the finished work of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. It is finished.

~Marcus Busenitz

Holy Saturday John 19: 38-42

“The God Who Lies in the Tomb”

John 19: 40 So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. 41 Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and  in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. 42 So because of the Jewish day of Preparation,  since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.

It was a moment of great solemnity. A few loved ones hurriedly but tenderly removed the lifeless body of their dear friend from the cross. Sunset was approaching as they prepared him for burial. I imagine they sobbed and could not bear to look as the large stone was rolled in front of the tomb. They comforted one another as they walked away from the garden… gradually the light was extinguished… nightfall was upon them.

But even in this terrible setting, God included one tiny ray of hope… the tomb was located in a garden. A long time before this dark day, in another garden, God pronounced a terrible curse coupled with a wonderful promise. “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, and you shall bruise him on the heel.” (Gen 3:15)

As the little broken hearted group of disciples left the garden, they were unaware that on this darkest day, God was fulfilling His wonderful promise. The Son of God had been bitten on the heel. His body lay cold and still. But through Christ’s suffering on the cross, He had crushed the enemy’s head. And by the time the Sun arose on the first day of the week, the same band of believers would be proclaiming the greatest story ever told!

~ Miguel Lopez

Easter Sunday John 20:1-23

“The God who Rises from the Grave”

Two simple questions:  1. “Woman, why are you weeping?" 2. “Whom are you seeking?” 

On the morning of Jesus’ resurrection, he asks these two pointed questions to Mary Magdalene, who is one of the first to arrive at the empty tomb. Put yourself in Mary’s shoes for a moment. How would you answer these questions? 

It would seem that these questions have obvious answers— Mary Magdalene basically says,  1. “I am weeping because Jesus has died…” 2. “I am seeking Jesus, but he is gone…”

But Jesus never asks a question without knowing the answer. And in this case, he himself is the answer. He knows why Mary is weeping. In a way, he is actually telling Mary that she no longer needs to weep. Why would she weep when she realizes what has happened? 

The King of the Universe was dead, buried, and has now come back to life!!! In the place of tears and grief, Mary can now celebrate and rejoice! And that is what she does, as she announces to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord!” (John 20:18). She recognizes whom she is seeking—the resurrected Messiah, the one who brings eternal life to all who believe in him. 

Over 2000 years later, the resurrected Jesus asks us these same questions. I believe that the miracle of Easter gives us answers of hope, just as the first Easter did for Mary Magdalene and the others. 

“Why are you weeping?” The obvious answer seems to be the pain, the sickness, the fear, the brokenness that we experience every day. Here in the year 2020, COVID-19 is a powerful reminder of the broken and painful world we live in. But the resurrection of Jesus Christ gives us hope. Eternal hope. Jesus answers, “I. Am. Alive.” Yes we experience the pain and difficulty of life on earth. But because of Easter, we confidently expect that one day, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4). Easter makes this possible. 

“Whom are you seeking?” This is the most important question that a person can answer. The resurrection reveals that Jesus alone is the Way, the Truth, and the LIFE (John 14:6). Do you know him? Have you trusted him alone?  Our resurrected Lord invites you to celebrate with him not only today, but for all eternity. Jesus says, “Seek me, and you will live. Forever.”

HE IS RISEN, HE IS RISEN INDEED! ~Marcus Busenitz