Holy Week for Christians is the week before Easter. It is known as a week of reflection based on the events leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus. These events begin with Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem on what is now called Palm Sunday. It is followed by the Last Supper with the twelve apostles, Judas’ betrayal, Jesus’ arrest, crucifixion and death, His burial in the tomb, and finally His resurrection on Easter Sunday.
Palm Sunday celebrates Jesus’ return to Jerusalem. According to the gospels, the people in Jerusalem waved and spread branches on the ground. Palm Sunday is the turning point in Jesus’ ministry. This is the first time that he is publicly recognized as the Messiah, the Son of God. Holy Thursday, also known as Maundy Thursday is significant because of three key events. First, Jesus shows his disciples through the washing of their feet, the true meaning of being a servant to each other. Second, by declaring the bread and wine as His flesh and blood, Jesus demonstrates the way in which He will always be with us, even after death. Finally, it is on this night that Jesus is betrayed by Judas thereby fulfilling the prophecies of His life and death. On Good Friday Christians often reflect, through fasting and prayer, on the carrying of the cross and the crucifixion of Jesus. From the time of the betrayal to His death, Jesus experiences the abandonment of his disciples, the tribulations of Pilate and Herod in identifying His alleged crimes, the vicious display from religious leaders and the crowds calling for his death – all this before the beatings, the crown of thorns, and the carrying of the cross for miles. Once nailed to the cross, Jesus’ suffering escalates. Yet, He turns to the Father and focuses on the salvation of others until His last breath.
But this is not the end of the story. Holy Week culminates on Easter Sunday with the glorious resurrection of Jesus. This is the Holiest week of the Christian year. It is a time of prayerful reflection and coming together as Christians to reminisce upon and be grateful for the sacrifices Jesus made for our salvation. This is what it means to be one with Jesus.
About American University of Health Sciences
AUHS is a Christian based, minority-serving university, which educates students for careers in the healthcare profession. AUHS emphasizes the values of faith in God, love of humankind, and belief that all people have a right to healthcare and deserve a good quality of life based on the wellness of body, mind, and spirit. The university celebrates diversity and reaches out to groups currently underrepresented in healthcare and research. AUHS provides the undergraduate and graduate curriculum, hands-on practical training and supportive environment required to create competent and compassionate healthcare professionals.
American University of Health Sciences is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), 985 Atlantic Avenue, Suite 100, Alameda, CA 94501, 510.748.9001. For more information visit www.auhs.edu.
