Holy Week is a sacred and blessed time for Christians around the globe. The week leading up to Easter Sunday is one that helps Christians focus on the cross in heart and spirit by recounting the final days of Jesus’ life and earthly ministry. Within this week leading to Easter Sunday, many recognize what is called Maundy Thursday. Maundy Thursday is celebrated the Thursday before Easter in remembrance of the Last Supper, when Jesus introduced communion and washed the disciples’ feet. For Jesus to wash the feet of his disciples demonstrated an incredible amount of love, humility, and servanthood. Sometime later, following this act, Jesus established what is now referred to as communion, or the eucharist. The final days and hours Jesus spent with his disciples were sacred and filled with significant teachings. Maundy Thursday is set aside to remember these commands Jesus gave at the Last Supper.

For all Christians, Good Friday is an important day of the year because it celebrates what we believe to be the most momentous 48 hours in the history of the world. Ever since Jesus died and was raised, Christians have proclaimed the cross and resurrection of Jesus to be the decisive turning point for all creation. Paul considered it “of first importance” that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and was raised to life on the third day, following what God had promised in the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3).

"For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance; that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures" (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). On Good Friday, we remember the day Jesus willingly suffered and died by crucifixion as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins (1 John 1:10). Easter follows it, the glorious celebration of the day Jesus was raised from the dead, heralding his victory over sin and death and pointing ahead to a future resurrection for all who are united to him by faith (Romans 6:5). Join us for this devotional service to mark this day.