Holy Week is an opportunity to practice the sacred rhythm of our faith – death, burial and resurrection. As we consider the journey of Jesus we can in a sense, give ourselves over to the events of this week.

We invite you to join us as we take a little time, individually or as a family, to reflect on that journey. On Palm Sunday we gave out Family Easter Egg Boxes to use at home to have short special times together exploring the events of Easter with the children in your life. The first part of each devotional is to share with children and is connected to those eggs. The 'Going Deeper' is a reflection for adults as they move through the days leading up to Easter

Let's ask God to work in us this Holy Week. To hear what areas of our lives we need to surrender, to yield and let die and ask Him to bring forth His resurrection life.

Luke 22: 19

During the meal Jesus took a piece of bread, broke it, and gave it to his friends to eat. 

Question: Why did He do this?     

Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, that I can be your friend.

Going Deeper

In the Jewish tradition when the bread was lifted up at Passover, the head of the household said: “This is the bread of affliction which our fathers ate in the land of Egypt. Let everyone who hungers come and eat; let everyone who is needy come and eat the Passover meal.”

To find out more: https://www.alephbeta.org/passover/what-is-a-seder   

Everything eaten at the Passover meal had symbolic meaning.
What specifically do we remember about the afflictions of Jesus when He died for us?
Do we recognise a hunger for Him in our hearts?

John 19: 19-22

They took Jesus and put Him on a cross and gave him a crown of thorns. 

Question: Was He a king?  Is Jesus my King?     

Prayer: Help me to choose Jesus as the King over my life.

Going Deeper

In His death, Jesus was identified with humble and obscure Nazareth. In His death, Jesus was recognised as a King. Kings and rulers of this world take their throne through others dying. Jesus was proclaimed as King to the whole world through His own death.

Through weakness and death Jesus won the greatest victory.

Prayer: Lord help us to follow in your footsteps – dying to ourselves and living for you.

John 19: 41-42

When Jesus had died, he was put in a tomb.  

Question: What is a tomb? How did his friends feel?

Prayer: Dear God give me your hope when I feel sad.

Going Deeper

On the cross Jesus took our sin upon Himself that we might be forgiven and set free. More than that, Jesus in becoming a man and through His suffering identified Himself with us in our weaknesses. He completely understands us. He invites us to grow in intimacy with Him.

Prayer: Give thanks that Jesus fully identifies with our humanity.

Matthew 27: 60-65

Soldiers were sent to guard the tomb in front of the stone. 

Question: Why were soldiers sent to guard the tomb? Where were Jesus’ friends?

Prayer: Dear Jesus thank you that even a big rock and soldiers could not keep you in the tomb.

Going Deeper

· Material obstacles don’t stand before the resurrected Jesus.
· Human authority doesn’t stand before the resurrected Jesus.
· Human strength doesn’t stand before the resurrected Jesus.

Do I put limits on what I believe Jesus can do?

Prayer: Lord increase my faith. “Nothing is impossible with You, God!” (Luke 1:37)

Luke 24:1-3

Jesus’ friends came to the tomb and saw the stone had been moved. Jesus’ body wasn’t there.  

Question: Who rolled the stone away? Where was Jesus?

Prayer: Dear Jesus help me when I am confused and don’t understand you.

Going Deeper

From bad to worse. Not only had their Lord been murdered through crucifixion but now someone had stolen His body. What were the women feeling at this time?

Who or where do we turn to in moments of confusion – when everything seems to be going wrong? Is Jesus Lord in these times? 

Prayer: Lord help me to trust you even when I do not understand all that is going on.

Matthew 28: 5-6

Jesus wasn’t in the tomb anymore because he had risen from the dead and was alive again.  

Question: How did his friends feel now?  Is Jesus still alive to-day? 

Prayer: Dear Jesus thank you that you rose again from the dead to give me life and hope every day.  

Going Deeper

The angels invited Jesus’ friends to “Come and see…” We too are invited to come and see; come and behold; come and worship. 

Prayer: Lord help me to extend the invitation to others to “Come and see…”