As Christians, we have concluded what we call “Holy Week.” It ended as it always does with the celebration of Easter.
Last week, more than at any other time of the year, the church of the living Lord turned its attention to the final week in the life of Jesus. It extended from his entry into Jerusalem to an upper room, to a garden of prayer, to an arrest and an unjust trial, to a hill called Calvary, and to burial in a borrowed tomb.
KirklandThe term Easter has an interesting history. It has a common source with the German word “Ostern,” which refers to the direction from which the sun rises. It’s all about the celebration of the spring sun when everything bursts into new life. That symbolism was later transferred to the resurrection of Jesus, who brought — and still brings — new life to you and me.
Holy Week includes the establishment of the Lord’s Supper, the act by Jesus of washing the disciples’ feet to model the servant spirit required of his followers, and the giving of a “new commandment” that the disciples “love one another.” And by that, he said to them, “all people will know that you are my disciples.”
All of this took place on what is called Maundy Thursday. “Maundy” is derived from Latin, meaning “a new commandment.”
On Tuesday before Maundy Thursday, I spoke at Nazareth Baptist Church in Blacksburg, which is celebrating its 130th anniversary. Jamie Billings is the pastor there. He graduated from Southeastern Seminary and is enrolled in the doctor of ministry program at North Greenville University.
My message at Nazareth focused on our connectedness as members of the body of Christ. We perform differently, but we are parts of one body — Christ’s church. The Bible says we “belong to each other.” That means we also are mutually dependent on each other.
The church is what it is by God’s design. It calls for interdependence among many who prefer independence. It requires that we look after each other. I encouraged the congregation to go up to someone and say, “You need me,” to be followed by, “And I need you.”
With my thoughts clearly on the upcoming Maundy Thursday, I focused on the towel of service as necessary equipment for carrying out the “new commandment” for followers of Jesus to love each other.
I did not know at the time that a hand-size towel bearing the name of the church and calling attention to its anniversary would be presented to me. I was taken aback by it.
To the congregation I said, “You could not have given me a more meaningful gift.” I knew it would be a constant reminder of my place as a servant of my Lord. It would also remind me that I did not have to do great things for others; just do small things with great love.
For me, Holy Week concluded with Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter services at my own church, Earle Street.
So now what?
It’s the post-Easter season, a year away from another Holy Week. The week leading to Easter offered to me and to others a marvelous opportunity for Christian growth, for satisfying deep spiritual hungers.
What Holy Week and especially Easter, meant to you and me will be fleshed out in the dailyness of our lives, if it meant anything at all. The empty tomb gives validation to our belief in the risen Lord, but it’s hearts filled with love for God and others that gives credibility to our affirmations of faith.
Our love for our Lord and his church reached an emotional peak at Easter, and that is good. But what do we do with the spiritual energy that was generated by the good news that Jesus is alive? We must use it a day at a time in humble acts of service to others until that energy is used up. Then we’ll find that there’s more where that came from.
Remember, we follow one who went about doing good. Never tire of doing good, Paul wrote in Galatians, for a reward will come at the right time. And this, too: Pay special attention to the needs of other followers of Jesus, what the Bible calls the “household of faith.”
And that, my brothers and sisters in Christ, is resurrection living. So live it to the fullest every moment of every day.