Topical Bible: Holy Week

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Overview:
Holy Week is the most sacred week in the Christian liturgical calendar, commemorating the final week of Jesus Christ's earthly life, His passion, crucifixion, and resurrection. It begins with Palm Sunday and culminates in Easter Sunday. This week is a time of deep reflection, devotion, and anticipation for Christians worldwide, as it encapsulates the core events of the Gospel narrative.

Palm Sunday:
Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, celebrating Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem. The Gospels recount how Jesus rode into the city on a donkey, fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9. The crowds welcomed Him with palm branches and shouts of "Hosanna!" as recorded in Matthew 21:9 : "The crowds that went ahead of Him and those that followed were shouting: 'Hosanna to the Son of David!' 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!' 'Hosanna in the highest!'"

Holy Monday and Tuesday:
These days are marked by Jesus' teachings and actions in Jerusalem. On Holy Monday, Jesus cleansed the temple, driving out the money changers, as described in Matthew 21:12-13 : "Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those selling doves. And He declared to them, 'It is written: My house will be called a house of prayer. But you are making it a den of robbers.'"

On Holy Tuesday, Jesus engaged in debates with the religious leaders and delivered the Olivet Discourse, a prophetic sermon about the end times and His second coming (Matthew 24-25).

Holy Wednesday:
Also known as Spy Wednesday, this day commemorates Judas Iscariot's betrayal of Jesus. According to Matthew 26:14-16 , "Then one of the Twelve, the one called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and asked, 'What are you willing to give me if I hand Him over to you?' And they set out for him thirty pieces of silver. So from that time on Judas looked for an opportunity to betray Jesus."

Maundy Thursday:
Maundy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper, where Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper (Eucharist) and washed the disciples' feet, demonstrating servanthood. In Luke 22:19-20 , Jesus said, "And He took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, 'This is My body, given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.' In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you.'"

Good Friday:
Good Friday is the solemn day of Jesus' crucifixion and death. Christians reflect on the suffering and sacrifice of Christ, who bore the sins of humanity. John 19:30 records Jesus' final words on the cross: "When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, 'It is finished.' And bowing His head, He yielded up His spirit."

Holy Saturday:
Holy Saturday is a day of quiet reflection and mourning, as Jesus lay in the tomb. It is a time to contemplate the silence and anticipation before the joy of the resurrection.

Easter Sunday:
Easter Sunday celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the cornerstone of Christian faith. The resurrection signifies victory over sin and death, offering eternal life to believers. As recorded in Matthew 28:5-6 , the angel at the tomb said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He lay."

Significance:
Holy Week is a profound period for Christians, inviting them to walk with Jesus through His passion, death, and resurrection. It is a time to deepen one's faith, reflect on the cost of redemption, and celebrate the hope and new life found in Christ.

Topical Bible Verses

1 Corinthians 5:7
Purge out therefore the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, as you are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:
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Colossians 1:20
And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things to himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
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Hebrews 5:7
Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears to him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;
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Library

Holy Week
... II. THE CHRISTIAN YEAR Holy Week. [537]143 All glory, laud, and honor
[538]144 The royal banners forward go [539]145 Ride on! ride ...
/.../various/the hymnal of the protestant episcopal church in the usa/holy week.htm

Holy Week Responsories
... No. 170 HOLY WEEK RESPONSORIES. HOLY WEEK RESPONSORIES In Monte Oliveti. For two
or four part Chorus Michael Haydn (1778) Edited and revised by NAM. ...
/.../the st gregory hymnal and catholic choir book/no 170 holy week responsories.htm

Ah, Holy Jesus, How Hast Thou Offended
... II. THE CHRISTIAN YEAR Holy Week 155. Ah, holy Jesus, how hast thou offended.
11.11.11.5 [586]Herzliebster: Johann Cr?�ger, 1640. [587]Ecce Jam Noctis: ...
/.../holy week 155 ah holy.htm

In the Cross of Christ I Glory
... II. THE CHRISTIAN YEAR Holy Week 152. In the cross of Christ I glory. 8.7.8.7
[579]Crucifixion: John Stainer, 1887. [580]Rathbun: Ithamar Conkey, 1851. ...
/.../holy week 152 in the.htm

Glory be to Jesus
... II. THE CHRISTIAN YEAR Holy Week 162. Glory be to Jesus. 6.5.6.5 D [602]Caswall:
Freidrich Filitz, 1847. Italian; Tr. Edward Caswall, 1857; Alt. ...
/.../holy week 162 glory be.htm

When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
... II. THE CHRISTIAN YEAR Holy Week 154. When I survey the wondrous cross. LM
[584]Rockingham: Second Supplement to Psalmody in Miniature; harm. ...
/.../holy week 154 when i.htm

Ride On! Ride on in Majesty
... II. THE CHRISTIAN YEAR Holy Week 145. Ride on! ride on in majesty. LM [564]St. Drostane:
John B. Dykes, 1862. [565]Winchester New: Hamburg, 1690. ...
/.../holy week 145 ride on.htm

In the Hour of Trial
... II. THE CHRISTIAN YEAR Holy Week 147. In the hour of trial. 6.5.6.5 D
[569]Penitance: Spencer Lane, 1875. James Montgomery, 1854; Alt. ...
/.../holy week 147 in the.htm

At the Cross Her Station Keeping
... II. THE CHRISTIAN YEAR Holy Week 161. At the cross her station keeping.
8.8.7.8.8.7 [600]Stabat Mater: Mayence, 1661. Latin, 12th cent.; Tr. ...
/.../holy week 161 at the.htm

O Come and Mourn with Me Awhile
... II. THE CHRISTIAN YEAR Holy Week 153. O come and mourn with me awhile. LM [582]St.
Cross: John B. Dykes, 1861. Frederick William Faber, 1849; Alt. ...
/.../holy week 153 o come.htm