Passion, Love and New Beginnings

Timeline 10th– 16th April

Passion Week, also known as Holy Week, begins on the last Sunday before Easter, which is Palm Sunday, and commemorates Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem. This is an important time in the Christian calendar, as it marks the beginning of Jesus’ journey to the cross, the passion with which He loved mankind and suffered emotionally, knowing the what was ahead of him. Beaten and mocked, yet relentlessly He continued his course.

Maundy Thursday

Included in Passion week is Maundy Thursday, known also as Holy Thursday, which is the day Christ had His last supper with His twelve disciples, in the Upper Room, also called the Passover meal. 

This is in parallel with the last meal the Israelite had in Egypt before their freedom from 400 years of slavery in Exodus 12. 

It is called The Feast of Unleavened Bread, and each household had to prepare a lamb without defect.

At the last supper, Jesus broke bread, sharing it with his disciples. He referred to the bread as his body in Luke 22:19, meaning He is the Lamb without blemish, and He asked them to do this in His remembrance.

Most Churches have Holy Communion as a way of continuing this meal in community.

Maundy Thursday was also the day Jesus washed the feet of His disciples, modelling to them that leaders also serve their followers.

Good Friday

It marks the night Jesus prayed on the Mount of Olives, struggling with the ordeal that He knew was before Him and asked if God would take the cup away from him, but conceded that God’s will be done and not His.

 It was there that one of His disciples betrayed him. Jesus suffered at the hands of Pontius Pilate who also gave orders to crucify Him outside of Jerusalem.

He died and was buried by Joseph of Arimathea in a brand new tomb cut out of a rock. Matthew 27:57-61.

Easter Sunday

Easter or resurrection Sunday, the last day of Passion Week, marks the day Jesus rose from the dead, having taken on the curse of sin. It is a day that is widely celebrated by all Christians around the world.

Many Churches have services on Good Friday and there are sometimes plays reenacting Passion week at services.

What makes Easter very important to Christians is the resurrection of Christ and the assurance and belief that we will also be raised in the last day and have eternal life with Him.

Below is the audio version of the poem ‘Hope Of Glory’ I wrote last year.

My book of poems From Tears to Bubbling Springs, is coming soon.

Joanne Sojinu, Author, A Mother’s Prayers, Week By Week Devotional For Your Unborn Child.