While there have been many solar eclipses, the sun has never again hidden its face for three hours (Matthew 27:45). Other earthquakes have brought death; only one heralded life (Matthew 27:51-54, 28:2). During the most important week of all time the whole cosmos – seen and unseen, natural and supernatural – looked on as God in flesh laid down His life and took it up again.

Human words fail to express the enormity and impact of that week. We will be pondering and worshiping for eternity in response to what Jesus did. It’s right that we celebrate Holy Week each year, knowing we only grasp small portions of what the events of that week really mean.

And in our busy lives it’s easy for Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter to just be another day to perhaps dress up and eat something fancy. I want to express what this week means to me, and offer a Holy Week invitation of three suggestions to make this remembrance of Jesus’ death and resurrection more meaningful for you.

What Holy Week Means to Me

It’s my birthday tomorrow!

No, not the anniversary of when I took my first breath on a cold January day some (cough, cough) years ago. But tomorrow is my spiritual birthday. It was at a Good Friday service in 1997 that I met Jesus personally. I’d known about God all my life, but on that day something became alive in me that had never been alive before. And everything changed.

I could figure out the month and day, but that’s not what matters to me. It’s on Good Friday every year that I celebrate becoming alive in Christ. Oh, there’s so much growing God has had to do in me, and still does! But for me that was truly a before-and-after moment.

This week became important again in a new way after my husband died. He passed away in February. Just a few weeks later, on Easter morning, I went to the cemetery and sang resurrection hymns over his grave. I ran my fingers over the Scripture chiseled into his headstone:

For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 1 Cor. 15:53-55

Every Easter I do that again, remembering that this is not as good as it gets! As Paul wrote, “If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied” (1 Corinthians 15:19). If we don’t have eternity to look forward to, nothing in this life will ever be enough.

So now, what about you?

The Resurrection Today

As followers of Jesus our faith is built on a historical reality. As important as the Bible is, our faith is not built on written words. Community, the family of God, is critical to our very life, but that’s not the foundation of our faith. The historical, literal, physical reality of the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus is something much stronger to build our faith on.

As Andy Stanley has said, “If Someone actually died and then came to life again, I think I’m going with Him!”

Chuck Colson was embroiled in the Watergate affair, was convicted and spent time in prison, and subsequently became a strong proponent of Christian faith. I appreciate what he said;

“I know the resurrection is a fact, and Watergate proved it to me. How? Because 12 men testified they had seen Jesus raised from the dead, then they proclaimed that truth for 40 years, never once denying it. Every one was beaten, tortured, stoned and put in prison. They would not have endured that if it weren’t true. Watergate embroiled 12 of the most powerful men in the world–and they couldn’t keep a lie for three weeks. You’re telling me 12 apostles could keep a lie for 40 years? Absolutely impossible.”  — Chuck Colson

There are many areas of controversy about and even among Christians. But let’s keep the main thing the main thing; Jesus lived, died, and rose again! And perhaps you will declare with me, “Jesus is Lord! That’s my King!”

3 Suggestions to Make Holy Week Meaningful for You

Today’s culture offers you many resources for remembering, honoring, celebrating this most wonderful time as a follower of Jesus. Here’s my Holy Week invitation to make this season more meaningful for you:

1. Remember Your Spiritual Birthday

Your spiritual birthday may or may not be as specific a moment as mine was. But take time today or this weekend to remember what Jesus has done for you. What difference has He made in your life? You may be in the middle of multiple struggles right now, but how are you different because of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus?

Thank Jesus for who He is to you. That doesn’t mean you’re finished! But celebrate that you have moved from death to life because of Jesus.

And if you haven’t taken that step, what are you waiting for?

2. Where do You Need the Death and Life of Jesus Now?

Holy Week reminds us also of God’s usual way of working. Something usually must die before new life can arise (John 12:24). Our redemption required the death of Jesus. Is there something you’re holding onto right now that needs to perhaps die so you can experience new life?

Maybe there’s something that is dead that you need to let go of. That might be a relationship, a dream, or something else you’ve treasured. Grieve it. And then open your hands and your soul to a new life from Jesus in that very space. It won’t look like you expect. But it can be glorious!

3. Keep Eternity in Mind

Remember, the resurrection of Jesus means this is not as good as it gets! This world can never be enough because you and I were not made for this world. The longings we experience now are often meant to point us to the greater reality that we were made for eternity.

This truth does not eliminate our sorrows now, but it’s part of giving them meaning. And it fuels our strength and hope to keep going, just as it did for Jesus, “who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2).

Remember. And celebrate this week!

Your turn: What does Good Friday, Holy Saturday, Easter, mean to you? Which of these 3 suggestions will you ponder and incorporate into your life during this time?  Leave a comment below.

Want more? On this week’s podcast I explore these ideas about Easter in a personal way. Listen or watch.

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