Encounters with Grace: From Hosanna to the Cross

We waved our palms this morning.

We shouted “Hosanna!” We celebrated Jesus entering Jerusalem as king.

And then we heard the passion story. The whole thing. Betrayal, denial, trial, crucifixion.

And now we’re here. In the in-between. Between Palm Sunday and Easter. Between hosannas and resurrection.

This is Holy Week.

And it’s called “holy” not because it’s easy or comfortable or uplifting. It’s called holy because it’s true. Because it’s the heart of the story. Because this is where everything changes.

This week, we’re going to walk with Jesus from the upper room to the cross to the tomb.

We’re going to wash hands on Maundy Thursday and remember what it means to serve.

We’re going to stand at the foot of the cross on Good Friday and sit in the darkness.

And then we’re going to wait. All day Saturday. In the silence. In the not-yet.

And then Sunday. Resurrection. Empty tomb. Alleluia.

But we’re not there yet.

Right now, we’re in the middle. In the hard part. In the part where we don’t know how it’s going to end (even though we do know, we have to walk through it like we don’t).

And grace meets us here too. In the middle. In the waiting. In the not-knowing.

So here’s my prayer for us this week:

God, give us the courage to walk through Holy Week. To not skip ahead to Easter. To sit with the hard parts—the betrayal, the denial, the suffering, the death. Help us trust that you’re with us in the darkness. That you’re with us in the waiting. That resurrection is coming, but we have to walk through Friday first. Amen.

This week is going to be hard. But it’s going to be holy.

See you Thursday.

Grace and peace,
Pastor Travis