By Betty Hertz
Just when I think I have some questions answered, more surface. I thought about Holy Week as I was copying a paper cross to share with some friends. The cross was a palm leaf made into a cross with the cross empty. Well, that's easy - Palm Sunday to Easter in one image. That is when I paused. I know Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Saturday night vigil, and Easter, but what about the early part of the week?
In rereading Matthew 21-28, I discovered I had blended one day into another without any thought to each day's significance. By rereading, I separated the activities of Jesus during each day. Not all Biblical scholars agree about the days' division, but viewing each day gives me more understanding.
On Monday, Jesus returns to Jerusalem and cleanses the temple of those selling and buying in the temple. Matthew 21:13 "It is written 'my house shall be called a House of prayer'; But you are making it a den of robbers." He also cured the blind and lame who came to him in the temple, and then he returned to Bethany.
On Tuesday, Jesus returns to Jerusalem. He meets with the upset temple leaders. They question him, and, in true Jesus style, he turns the questions on them. Then he starts teaching by sharing several parables that we are familiar with: The Two Sons, The Wicked Tenants, The Wedding Banquet. The leaders unsuccessfully tried to trick him by asking him more questions. He returned to Bethany.
On Wednesday, Jesus spent the day in Bethany with his disciples doing more teaching (Matthew 24-26). This day is also known as "Spy Wednesday" because this was the day when Judas conspired to hand Jesus over. When Mary of Bethany visited Jesus, she anointed him with a costly oil:
8 But when the disciples saw it, they were angry and said, "Why this waste? 9 For this ointment could have been sold for a large sum, and the money given to the poor." 10 But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, "Why do you trouble the woman? She has performed a good service for me. 11 For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. (Matthew 8-11)
Holy Week — a week of cleansing, teaching, sharing, and preparing.
Prayer for Wednesday of Holy Week from the Book of Worship 348:
Most merciful God, Your blessed Son, our Savior, was betrayed, whipped, and his face spat upon. Grant us grace to endure the sufferings of the present time, to overcome all that seeks to overwhelm us, confident of the glory that shall yet be revealed. Through Jesus Christ our Redeemer. Amen
Betty Hertz is a longtime member of St John UMC, a Stephen Minister and a member of SPRC. When not doing volunteer work, she is playing with her three goofy dogs.