REFLECTIONS OF PASSION WEEK

(6-minute read)

The adage that biblical hindsight is always 20/20 applies not only to Jesus’ followers, but also to many of us today. From Good Friday to Resurrection Sunday, three significant events remind us of lessons that marked the fulfilment of Jesus’ mission on earth.

THE LAST SUPPER

It was time for Jesus and His disciples to share a Passover meal together. Peter and John were given instructions about the meal and the venue. It would be an intimate affair for Jesus and His twelve closest disciples. In familiar company, everyone could expect to relax around the table. There would be food and Jesus would break bread and give thanks to God. In other words, they knew the drill. To the disciples, it was just another meal with Him. No one had received any invite that said ‘The Last Supper – you won’t want to miss it!’. So, in usual fashion, no one was particularly concerned if they could not understand the layered meaning of what He was saying during supper because they could always ask Him another day. They preferred to keep conversations light-hearted while enjoying a ceremonial meal together. 

On hindsight, so many things that Jesus spoke about to His disciples during that particular Passover Meal were clear signals that something was going to happen to Him. Someone would betray Him and someone would deny Him three times. Their time together would end soon. “For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God…  For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” (verses 16 and 18). The Lord was deeply troubled, yet the disciples chose to downplay His more sombre moods that evening, and the seriousness of what He was telling them. 

At the Last Supper, Jesus sat among friends He knew would fail Him in His most difficult moments. It is heartbreaking to be deserted by someone we consider a true friend. Yet, the Lord, knowing that Peter would publicly deny Him, understood the trauma that Peter would be experiencing. Instead of distancing Himself, He reached out to assure His friend, “but I have prayed for you, Simon... and when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” (Luke 22:31-32). And Jesus followed through on restituting Peter after His resurrection.

If you’ve been facing a severe spiritual drought and pushing aside difficult conversations with God to your own detriment, do not think that you can sort things out on your own, or manufacture joy. The only sustainable joy comes from a close fellowship with God and with His children. Pray Psalm 51:10-12.

AT THE CROSS

For believers today, the cross is a landmark in the fulfilment of God’s prophecies of salvation for mankind. At the same time, it is a sign of the conflicts and contradictions that played out in Jesus’ life, while His excruciating journey to the Cross was a parade that provided entertainment to the crowds. 

Powerful elites did not like His teachings. People who thronged to see His miracles did not like the idea of reordering their lives to serve God’s call. Among the Jews, mob justice prevailed, and Christ was exchanged for the release of a convicted criminal, Barabbas (Mark 15:6-10). 

Swept up in mass hysteria, They put a purple robe on Him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on Him. And they began to call out to him, “Hail, king of the Jews!”. Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him. They crucified two rebels with Him, one on His right and one on His left. The written notice of the charge against Him read: the king of the Jews.” (Mark 15:16-32).

However, as soon as Jesus had taken His last breath, the Centurion witnessing His arrest and crucifixion had a shocking change of mind, and instantly declared, “Surely this man was the Son of God!” (Mark 15:37-39, Matthew 27:54).  

Many people come to the Cross in times of great personal upheavals. Believers also desert the Cross during such times. People often think that all chaos and confusions should end at the Cross, or else they hide behind a smile and act like nothing is wrong. In reality, the Cross is a reminder that it can overcome any kind of conundrum, predicaments or quagmire we face. Christ did not come to provide us with shortcuts, but with salvation and the ability to go through what He went through. This means we need to carry our own Cross while experiencing difficulties in life so that we may find God’s indescribable love, everlasting goodness, mercy and grace. (Psalm 103:8-12).

AT THE TOMB

Scripture made an interesting mention of the women who followed Jesus. Luke 23:27, in particular, makes us aware of them, “A large number of people followed Him, including women who mourned and wailed for Him.” These women were not merely spectators following Jesus. They stayed close even when events seemed to spin out of control, and their hearts remained connected to the suffering of the One who had accepted and loved them. Not surprisingly then, the first visitors at the tomb were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome. Following the crucifixion, they had taken the initiative to buy spices to anoint Jesus’ body (Mark 16:1-3). Their behaviour stood in stark contrast with the twelve (now eleven) disciples who seemed to act more on impulse and instructions than intuition.

As they made their way to Jesus’ burial site, they wondered among themselves, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?” The tomb was a place of conclusions, not continuations. Logically, they expected to see Jesus’ body in the tomb after His passing. They would never expect to see any angel hijacking His body, or being told ‘He is not here’! 

“But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away.” (Mark 16:4-6). 

When we look up at the empty Cross and the Risen Saviour, we will see beyond the burial clothes, and cold tomb stones. We will cast aside conversational and mental scripts that hide the broken and torn pieces of our lives that we try to put back together on our own, and be open to godly counsel. We will stop hiding behind Christian rituals and unproductive activities so that we may grow in accountability and transparency with others.

Just because we make costly sacrifices to pursue what we want does not mean anything if our goals are dubious and not Christ-centred. The three women had spent money on the spices to anoint Jesus’ body, but they had to abort their plans, and proceed with their God-given mission: “But go, tell His disciples and Peter” (verse 7). 

It’s time to step out of ‘Christian echo-chambers’ and seek healthy fellowship. It’s time to let others help us roll away the stone of shame and disappointment, involuntary unemployment, irresponsible living, long-term health condition, spiritual drought, loneliness, etc. 

As Passion Week comes to a close, make this your prayer: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given me new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for me.” (1 Peter 1:3-4personalised).

This is a summary and reflection based on a virtual BIR Session held on 19 April 2025.