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Have you ever heard of the Holy Week? It is when Christians recall events that lead to Jesus’ death by crucifixion and His Resurrection. This includes five special days, which begin with Palm Sunday. Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus’ arrival at Jerusalem, riding a donkey with people rejoicing “Hosanna!", which means a plea for salvation, as they spread their cloaks on the road, raising palm leaves (Matthew 21:1-11). This was a way of celebrating and welcoming Jesus as the Savior. Moreover, this event fulfilled the Old Testament prophecy of the Promised Savior.

“Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”

Zechariah 9:9

Maundy Thursday recalls several significant events such as the Last Supper, Jesus washing His disciples’ feet as a symbol of humility to serve, and Jesus praying in the garden of Gethsemane. Jesus and His disciples had the Last Supper in the ceremony of the Passover, a celebration of the Israelites who were freed from Egypt. This ceremony is a reminder of the salvation from God. In the Last Supper, Jesus institutes it as a lasting reminder of His body broken and blood shed for salvation. After the Last Supper, Jesus went to the garden called Gethsemane, where He would pray in agony, submitting to the Father’s will despite knowing the overwhelming suffering ahead. After praying, He was betrayed by Judas, one of his disciples, leading Him to be handed over and arrested (Luke 22: 7-53).

“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” 

Luke 22:42

Jesus faced six trials before Jewish and Roman authorities, as Peter denied Him three times, fulfilling Jesus’ prediction. Despite not finding any guilt in Him, he succumbed to pressure from the crowd and sentenced Him to crucifixion. He took up the heavy cross to Golgotha – a skull-shaped hill in ancient Jerusalem, with His body broken and His blood shed before He was crucified around 9 in the morning for six hours until 3 pm. Good Friday is a day to remind us of Jesus’ suffering and death on the cross.

During this time, He had uttered seven final sayings. The first saying is “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34). Even in pain and with people mocking Him, Jesus prayed for them, showing boundless forgiveness. Jesus was crucified along with two criminals on both His sides. One of them railed at Him, asking Jesus to save Himself and them if He truly is the Christ. However, the other rebuked him by showing his faith, to which later Jesus replied: “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43), promising salvation and eternal life for those who believe. 

In John 19:26-27, He says to His mother, “Woman, here is your son,” then says to His disciples, “Here is your mother.” He entrusted His mother to John, one of His disciples. People were shouting, mocking, shaking their heads, and some even gambled over His garment. His suffering was overwhelming as he shouted “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” This cry of anguish shows the deep suffering of Jesus as He bore the sin of the world, temporarily separating Him from the Father. However, this cry was actually a quote from Psalms 22, acting as a reminder for the people there of the Psalms, that the ultimate mission is being done in front of their eyes. 

“Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircles me; they pierce my hands and my feet. All my bones are on display; people stare and gloat over me. They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment.”

Psalms 22:16-18

“I thirst” (John 19:28) was one of His sayings as a physical expression of suffering while highlighting His humanity. They put a sponge soaked in sour wine on a branch and lifted it to His mouth. This was done so that the prophecy in Psalm 69:21 would be fulfilled.

 “They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst.” 

Psalm 69:21

Then He said “It is finished!” (John 19:30), declaring that his mission is finished – the debt of sin paid in full, the prophecies were fulfilled, and the barrier that sin created between God and humanity was removed. It is also a cry of victory, that Jesus had won over sin and the devil. Jesus had won to have us. 

Lastly, He said “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.” (Luke 23:46). His final saying signifies a complete and undying trust in The Father’s will, even in the face of death. After His death, darkness covered the land and the temple curtain –  a symbol of direct access to God torn in two. An earthquake shook the earth, and many tombs opened, and a Roman soldier declared, “Truly this was the Son of God!”. 

Holy Saturday is one of the most overlooked yet meaningful days in the Holy Week. It is the day of a reminder of Jesus Christ’s final day of death, where the sun has set, and a deep stillness is in the air. It was silent in the tomb, with no miracles happening in the streets or teachings shared, only silence. However, this silence is not an emptiness. This day teaches us to pause and wait, for us to learn to trust God even when it seems like nothing is happening. God never stays silent. Jesus descended to the dead and proclaimed to the imprisoned spirits that they are saved (1 Peter 3: 19).

Then, the victorious day came as His Resurrection took place on the third day. This day is now called Easter. Easter is the fulfilled promise of the Passover, an eternal salvation from God by sacrificing a lamb – His Son, Jesus Christ. The stone was rolled away, revealing an empty tomb. He is risen, conquering death and giving a promise of new life. The women hurried away from the tomb filled with joy as they went to tell His disciples. His Resurrection is proof of His divinity and the promise of eternal life for those who believe. It is proof that death is not the end. Through The Way, anyone can have a new life.

'For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him.'

Romans 6:9

The Lord’s final week shows a journey of true love and sacrifice. His declaration on the cross – “It is finished” declares the completion of the mission to restore humanity’s relationship with God. It also declares a living hope, which is realized in the resurrection. May through this Holy Week or in our everyday life, we will always be reminded of His love for all of us. That through His sacrifice and Resurrection, it is finished. 

'For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.'

John 3:16

Writer: Paulina Angelica Putri

Editor: Arinda Risma Wardani