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Holy Week, otherwise known as Passion Week, is a time of remembrance and reflection for Christians all over the world. While Holy Week doesn’t technically include Easter Sunday we still spend this time honoring the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. This week followed by Resurrection Sunday depicts the Greatest Story ever told (featuring themes of love, despair, a suspenseful climax, hopelessness, joy, and even a happy “ending”), a structure in which every other story in the world we’ve heard or read follows. 

Holy Week begins with Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey, a humble symbol of peace, but it became quickly apparent that the events to follow would be more complex and somber. In fact, the people who were there to celebrate Jesus’ entry, shouting “Hosanna!” and throwing down their cloaks and palm branches on the road for Jesus to walk upon, were the very same people who would later shout “Crucify him!”. They had a wrong understanding of why Jesus came in the first place. While they expected him to deliver them from Roman oppression, Jesus came to deliver them spiritually from their sins and the sin of the world. 

On Good Friday, Jesus was crucified, brutally whipped and beaten, and hung on a cross to die. Even still, Jesus gave his last breath willingly, no one took it from him. It was a moment of great sorrow and pain, and it seemed as though all hope was lost. But as the story goes, it was only the beginning of a greater narrative.

Easter Sunday, also known as Resurrection Sunday, is the day when Jesus rose from the dead. Something no one else could have expected. That moment marked his victory of life over death, and hope over despair. Jesus' resurrection proves he really is the Son of God, as he was claiming to be all along. It’s a testament to the fact that even death cannot defeat the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He’s been triumphant from the beginning. 

As Christians, we celebrate Easter not because of the egg hunts, fuzzy bunnies, or baskets jam-packed with chocolates and other goodies, but because of the significance of Jesus' resurrection. Jesus died on the cross to make a way for people to be saved and he rose from the dead so we could have life eternal with him. That was always God’s plan. 

We also see the power of God's love and grace. Jesus’ death and resurrection fulfilled the promises God made to us and to his people all the way back in the Old Testament - that He would provide the ultimate sacrifice who would make salvation possible. Jesus’ death and resurrection changed the course of history and it continues to provide hope and joy for us today. 

To summarize, Easter is a season of reflection and celebration, commemorating the incredible gift of salvation Jesus made possible for all of us through his life, death, and resurrection. His purpose was always to come in this way and through his resurrection, we are reminded that we can find eternal life through our belief, trust, and faith in Jesus Christ.
Why not accept this gift of salvation Jesus is so lovingly extending to you today?

The Passover is a significant event in Jewish history that commemorates God's deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. The Passover lamb was sacrificed, and its blood was placed on the doorposts to protect the Israelites from the angel of death. The Passover meal is observed annually as a reminder of this miraculous event. (Read more on the Passover in the book of Exodus).

But the Passover has a deeper meaning as well. It points to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who gave his life on the cross to save and provide hope for humanity from sin and death. He was God’s plan for salvation from the beginning of time. Through his death and resurrection, Jesus fulfilled the Passover in a way that no other sacrifice could.

First, Jesus was the perfect Passover Lamb. In John 1:29, John the Baptist calls Jesus "the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world." Jesus was without blemish, just as the Passover lamb had to be. His blood was shed to provide redemption for all who trust in him, just as the blood of the Passover lamb protected the Israelites.

Second, Jesus' death on the cross occurred during the Passover celebration. He was crucified on the day of preparation for the Passover, the same day that the Passover lambs were being slaughtered in the temple. This was not a coincidence; it was a divine appointment that God had orchestrated to show that Jesus was the ultimate Passover sacrifice.

Finally, Jesus' death on the cross inaugurated a new covenant between God and us. In Luke 22:20, Jesus tells his disciples that the cup of wine he shares with them represents "the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you." This new covenant fulfills the promise that God made to Abraham, that through him all nations of the world would be blessed.

Through his death on the cross, Jesus fulfilled the Passover in a way that no other sacrifice could. It also serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness, redemption, and provision. He provided blessings and deliverance to the Israelites as He does for us now through Jesus Christ. As we remember the Passover, let’s also celebrate the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus made for us and praise him for the redemption he’s provided.

 

As followers of Jesus, we’re called to live a life of love and forgiveness toward all people, including our enemies. It can be challenging to love those who have hurt us or treated us unfairly, but Jesus taught us to love and pray for our enemies.

In the book of Matthew, Jesus said, "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:43-45).This is a radical statement, and it challenges our natural inclination to seek revenge or hold a grudge. But Jesus asks us to rise above and not to become a slave to our emotions, but rather to respond with love instead.

When we choose to love our enemies, we are reflecting the character of God, who loves all people, regardless of their actions or beliefs (even when some may not love him in return). Jesus himself washed the feet of Judas, fed him, and taught him as he did his other disciples even though he knew Judas would one day betray him. As we follow Jesus' example, we become more like Him and are able to show His love to others, even to those we may not feel deserve it.

Loving our enemies also has practical benefits. It can lead to reconciliation and healing, both for ourselves and for those we have conflicts with. It can also break down barriers and promote understanding, creating opportunities for dialogue and peaceful resolution.But loving our enemies doesn’t mean condoning their actions or excusing their behavior. It means recognizing their humanity, that they were made in the image of God, and choosing to respond with compassion and forgiveness, even in the face of injustice or harm.

At GiveSendGo, we understand that learning to love our enemies isn’t an easy journey. As a faith-based freedom-loving crowdfunding platform, we’ve faced our fair share of criticism and opposition over the years. However, we choose to respond with kindness and respect, seeking to understand and address concerns in a positive manner. Our commitment to love and forgiveness is rooted in our faith in Jesus, and we strive to reflect His character in all that we do. We remain steadfast in our mission to help people come together in times of need and share the love and hope of Jesus with all who come our way.

So let’s obey and practice Jesus' call to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. Let’s trust in His grace and mercy to guide us as we seek to follow His example of love and forgiveness in our daily lives.