The Emotional Roller Coaster of Holy Week:A Journey of Joy, Suffering, and Eternal Hope

"When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that a riot was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. 'I am innocent of this man’s blood,' he said. 'It is your responsibility!'  Matthew 27:24

Much like the seasons, Holy Week is a journey through the landscape of our hearts. We begin with the joyful procession of Palm Sunday, a burst of hope and expectation, like the first warm days of spring. Then, as the story continues, we find ourselves in the midst of a storm.  The joy fades, replaced by the somber tones of betrayal, abandonment, and the agonizing weight of injustice. We witness the Last Supper, a moment of intimate fellowship shadowed by impending doom. The Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus's anguished prayers echo through the night, reminds us of the profound human cost of his sacrifice. The trial, a mockery of justice, reveals the terrifying power of unchecked authority and the fickle nature of crowds. We see how easily truth can be twisted, how quickly fear and lies can sway public opinion. The cries of "Crucify him!" still ring with a chilling resonance, a stark reminder of the dangers of allowing power to corrupt. 

The crucifixion, a scene of unimaginable pain and suffering, forces us to confront the depths of human cruelty. We are left with the silence of the tomb, a heavy silence that seems to extinguish all hope. And then, Easter. The resurrection. A wave of light breaks through the darkness, a triumphant declaration of love's ultimate victory. The empty tomb, the risen Christ – like green shoots pushing through the earth are the symbols of our enduring hope, the promise of eternal life.  

As we celebrate the joy of Easter, let us not forget the hard truths embedded in the preceding days. Jesus' trial and execution serve as a timeless example of how easily due process can be disregarded and how devastating the consequences can be. Let us remember that the events of Holy Week call us to live differently.  They remind us that we, too, are responsible for standing against injustice and ensuring that truth prevails.

As Pastor Kim concluded her sermon last week on Palm Sunday, she reminded us that in the face of injustice, “silence is not neutral.” So, as we join together with friends and family on Sunday in the midst of the joy of the resurrection, let us commit to raising our voices and working actively for justice and truth in a world that too often disregards them. And let us always remember that the triumph of Easter is not just about personal salvation, but also about the ongoing call to live out Christ’s example of love, truth, and righteousness in a world that desperately needs it.

In faith and hope,

Jerry Kahrs

Author’s Note: Five years ago, I wrote about historical injustices in an article for First Notes entitled “Let it Not Happen Again.” The injustices I addressed in that article are even more timely now than they were then. I hope you will take a few minutes to read or reread that piece. Click here if you’re interested.