Holy Week: Humility Unmatched

How do we define humility?

No words or action by man can define it accurately. But Jesus vividly demonstrated it for us during what we now call Holy Week. This we need to replay in our hearts over and over again to make us remember the promise of eternity to those who believe.   

“These series of events were intentional, never random,” our pastor said in his sermon on Palm Sunday. 

They were all deliberate fulfillment of divine prophecy and God’s plan for human redemption. Jesus entered Jerusalem knowing his imminent death on the cross: a supreme sacrifice for sin.

Let’s briefly look back on the chronology of the week.  

Palm Sunday: Jesus entered Jerusalem not on a warhorse as a conquering king, but on a donkey, fulfilling prophecy as a gentle, humble King. 

Holy Monday: Jesus cleansed the temple by driving money changers and merchants away,

Holy Tuesday: Jesus taught in the temple, and faced the ire of and challenges of religious leaders. He gave the Olivet discourse, prediction of the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple.

Spy Wednesday: Judas Iscariot conspired with the chief priests to betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver.

Maundy Thursday: Jesus shared the Passover meal with his disciples. He emphasized the breaking of bread and sharing the cup as a "remembrance" of his sacrifice. Maundy (meaning mandate, from the Latin word mandatum) was Jesus' new commandment (John 13:34). “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” Jesus, as Lord, performed the role of a servant by washing the feet of his disciples, including Judas who would betray him. What an amazing visual image of servant leadership! 

Good Friday: Jesus was tried before Pontius Pilate. The same crowd who cried "Hosanna, Hosanna!" on Palm Sunday cried “Crucify him, crucify him!” Jesus remained silent before his accusers, endured mockery, demonstrating absolute obedience. Then He prayed in  Gethsemane where He was arrested. He accepted the humiliating and painful death of crucifixion to save humanity. Jesus was mocked, stripped, given a crown of thorns, and whipped before carrying his cross to Golgotha, where he was crucified like a common criminal. Darkness covered the land for three hours (noon to 3 PM).

On the cross, Jesus said what we call “The seven Last Words.” Upon his death, the curtain in the Temple tore from top to bottom, an earthquake occurred, and rocks split.

Joseph of Arimathea, a follower of Jesus, requested for the body, wrapped it in linen, and placed it in a new tomb, which was sealed with a large stone and guarded by Roman soldiers. 

Holy Saturday. Jesus’ body rested in the tomb while his followers mourned.

Resurrection Sunday: Jesus rose from the dead, defeating death! Hallelujah! 

Why would the king of Kings go through all these for insignificant me? Because His grace is boundless.  

“Jesus endured profound anguish and torment beyond human endurance before his death. But our reaction should not be pity, but admiration,” our pastor stressed.

Let me add awe, amazement, and astonishment for His unmatched humility. All documented in the Book of books.