A Word from Pastor Kate 

As a pastor and a mother to young children, I am particularly interested in children’s Bibles. We own several, and I’ve noticed that many of them are missing a key section of the gospel story. 

They skip over Holy Week.

To be fair, I can appreciate why publishers of children’s books would be hesitant to describe or illustrate Jesus’ suffering on the cross. It was, after all, a brutal torture device. Most reasonable parents shield their children from violence and human cruelty. I get it. And yet, I cringe each time I read the story of Palm Sunday in my kids’ bible and then turn the page to Easter morning. It’s akin to reading book seven of Harry Potter without the Battle of Hogwarts, or LOTR Return of the King without the last epic “Battle of the Black Gate.” (Can you tell I like fantasy novels?). The climax of a story doesn’t make sense without the preceding conflict. A triumphant ending is far less satisfying when there wasn’t a little pain and angst along the way. And yet, even grown up Christians are guilty of jumping from Palm Sunday to Resurrection Sunday without stopping to consider the days in between. 

We skip over Holy Week.

I don’t know about you, but the joyful celebration of Easter doesn’t really take root in my soul when I haven’t walked through the sorrow and sacrifice of Holy Week. Some have said, “You can’t appreciate the sun without the rain.” There’s truth in that. It’s only when we behold the cross of Jesus that the empty tomb makes sense. It’s only when we see the suffering and death of our king, that we truly experience resurrection with him. 

YUMC has several ways you can embrace Holy Week this year. On Maundy Thursday, carve out time to walk the prayer stations in the chapel. It will take you through Jesus’ final week of life with Scripture readings, visual aids, and prompts for response. Treat Good Friday as a day of solemn fasting; a day of mourning and reflection. Prioritize attending the Good Friday service that evening. Don’t make plans on Holy Saturday. Be home. Take sabbath. Read your Bible. Keep Jesus at the forefront of your mind. And then, when Sunday comes, CELEBRATE!

But in your eagerness to get to Sunday, don’t skip over Holy Week.

Pastor Kate