5 Lessons from Easter Week

"A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,

'Hosanna to the Son of David!'

'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!'

'Hosanna in the highest heaven!'

When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, 'Who is this?'

The crowds answered, 'This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.'” Matthew 21:8-11

The week started with Jesus triumphantly entering Jerusalem. When we see this event—often referred to as Palm Sunday—in the movies, Jesus is seated on a donkey smiling and waving to the crowds. This is a happy scene that warms the heart. But consider this, Jesus knew that less than seven days later, those adoring people would turn on Him and call for His death. Not only that, but His beloved disciples would desert Him, hide in fear, and some would even deny Him.

Yet this knowledge didn’t stop Him from this prophetic entrance (Zechariah 9:9). We can take a lesson from Jesus here: life can be difficult, filled with disappointments and struggles as well as tragedies, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t enjoy the joyful moments.

Some of us get so stuck in our difficult situation that we struggle to move forward. We have a hard time enjoying the life God has given us. In our sadness and maybe even anger, we can easily miss the divine blessings our Father provides.

As a woman who lives with bilateral brain tumors, I struggle with a variety of health issues daily. I can choose to stay stuck in the difficult circumstances, or I can choose to keep my eyes on Jesus. I can remember His triumphant entrance on that Palm Sunday—despite the difficulties that He’d soon experience. 

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"Going a little farther, He fell with His face to the ground and prayed, 'My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.'” Matthew 26:39

Jesus endured incredibly difficult circumstances after He rode into Jerusalem. He knew what was to come. He even asked the Father to take “His cup” from Him. But He also said, “Yet not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39).

Our Savior focused on His mission to love others, to teach about God’s kingdom, and to heal the sick. 

When I experience hardship, I want life to stop. Dishes don’t get washed. The dog doesn’t get walked. Even dinner might not get cooked. And forget about writing, which I consider my life mission.

When I found out I had bilateral brain tumors, I couldn’t imagine ever writing again. But with God’s help, even during the treatments, I stayed focused on serving the Lord through the gifts He’d given me. That’s not to say we shouldn’t grieve during difficult periods. Rather, may we remember that we still have a divine purpose in every season.

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"Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to Him. 'By what authority are you doing these things?' they asked. 'And who gave you this authority?'” Matthew 21:23

Jesus kept teaching, preaching, and healing despite what lay ahead. He didn’t hide from His responsibilities or those wanting to harm Him. Instead, He kept going—even when it was hard.

When life gets difficult, God invites us to follow Christ’s example. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t take care of ourselves or that we should suppress or deny our feelings. God created us as emotional beings, but we often experience increased life, joy, and strength when we actively seek to love others.

Jesus kept going and so can we.

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"When Jesus had finished saying all these things, He said to His disciples, 'As you know, the Passover is two days away—and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.'” Matthew 26:1-2

In Matthew 26:32, He said, “But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”

Jesus told them He would be arrested, killed, and would rise again on the third day. Yet, they seemed shocked when the guards arrested Jesus. Why? Perhaps because they weren’t listening. Therefore, when Mary Magdalene and the other women came and told them that Jesus had risen, this was their reaction:

“It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense.” Luke 24:10-11

Hearing and listening are not the same. The first is the physical act of hearing an auditory signal (sounds and words). The second involves seeking to understand the speaker’s perspective and intent.

We can avoid a lot of relational drama if we learn to listen well.

It helps to give the speaker your full attention, rather than thinking about how you might respond and repeating what you think you heard. If confused, ask questions for clarity.

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"When Jesus was accused by the chief priests and the elders, He gave no answer. Then Pilate asked Him, 'Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?’ But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor.” Matthew 27:12-14

Jesus stood on trial for His life yet didn’t defend Himself. He listened to His enemies’ ugly accusations without comment. We can follow His example.

When people say unkind things about me, my first reaction is to defend myself—passionately. But Jesus knew something I must remember: He wasn’t going to change their minds no matter what He said. (Nor did He want to, as He came that He might die for all mankind.)

Some situations might require advocating for ourselves, but many times it’s best to keep quiet and trust God to defend us. Hebrews 10:12 tells us, “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.”

Jesus knew when to speak up and when to be quiet. By remaining connected to the Holy Spirit and following His lead, we can learn this as well.

Honoring Christ in our most challenging situations can feel hard, painful, and frightening. But by reflecting upon Jesus’ actions the week before His death, we can progressively become more like our Savior.  

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