The week that changed the world!
By Paul Bawden
As we watch the events in our world, I would trust that you would agree with me, that a drastic change is needed. Something is wrong with our lives that causes us to not get along with each other and live in peace with one another.
May I suggest to you that there is a week in history that not only changed the world but a week that can change you and me from being selfish and unfulfilled with no hope to being selfless and fulfilled with everlasting hope.
It’s all found in Passion Week, which starts on Palm Sunday and ends on Easter Sunday with the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ.
In fact, Jesus Christ is the main character of Passion Week. Without Him there would be no Passion Week. The Week began on Palm Sunday when Jesus came riding into Jerusalem on a donkey with the crowd accompanying Him shouting out, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the LORD . . . . Hosanna in the highest,” meaning “Save Now!” Jesus’ coming into Jerusalem on a donkey fulfilled the Old Testament prophet Zechariah’s words in 9:9 given some 400 years before Palm Sunday.
As Jesus fulfilled Zechariah 9:9, He also fulfilled the Old Testament Passover (cf. Exodus 12), when at the last Passover (the Last Supper) with His disciples before His crucifixion, Jesus took elements of the Passover and said that the unleavened bread represented His body and the cup of wine represented His blood which would be given for them (Luke 22:19-20). Today, believers commemorate the Lord as one’s Passover in communion or the Lord’s Table.
But the situation would soon go from this historic commemoration and celebration to Jesus being betrayed and arrested. The people, who at the beginning of the week were crying out, “Hosanna,” now turned against Jesus and cried out, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” He was finally condemned, though innocent, crowned with thorns, mocked, flogged, an indescribable experience, and eventually nailed to a cruel cross, the worst way to die.
Hanging on that old rugged cross, Jesus asked His heavenly Father to forgive those who railed against him, while providing the thief on the cross who believed in Him the promise of heaven. No greater love and grace!
As Jesus died, some of His last words were, “It is finished,” meaning redemption had been paid for the world. Really? Some might respond. Then, Jesus gave up His spirit to His Father and was buried in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea.
Was this the end of the One who claimed to be from heaven, claimed to be the I AM, the King of the Jews and the Savior of the world, yes, the One who claimed He provided redemption for the world? Was this the end of Him who suffered beyond what we can even imagine, being made the final sacrifice for sin for you and me? Regardless of one’s response, no greater love and grace!
For many, Jesus’ death was His end, or there is some kind of a spiritual Jesus floating around. But this one historical fact is true. The tomb of Jesus Christ is empty – the only empty tomb in the world! The eyewitnesses testify – Jesus conquered the grave bodily. His bodily resurrection guarantees that redemption has been won for the world – paid in full. Those who believe in Him have forgiveness
of their sins and eternal life (John 3:16). I trust you are among that number.
Jesus’ many believers and followers around the world know that Passion Week is the greatest Week in history because the Jesus of Passion Week has changed their lives, providing a new self of selflessness, lasting fulfillment, and everlasting hope. They also know that only peace in relationships comes through experiencing the Savior personally. And they are confident that Jesus could return anytime bringing His peace to the world and putting down all rebellion against Him. This Easter rejoice in the bodily risen Jesus Christ of Passion Week! He is risen! He is risen indeed!
Paul Bawden is married and served in the full-time pastoral ministry for 45 years, retiring in 2011, after which he and his wife served in four interims, three in Wisconsin and one in Iowa. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a B.A. in Speech and attended Dallas Theological Seminary, receiving a Master of Theology. He has taken counseling courses at Trinity Evangelical Seminary in Deerfield, Illinois. Paul is a lifetime member of the Evangelical Free Church of America, as well as being a member of Interim Pastor Ministries (IPM), which serves churches during their time of transition in searching for a new pastor. He is also a volunteer writer for GotQuestions.org. Paul likes to write, read, and work in the yard. The Bawdens have had the privilege to travel to Mexico and Romania on mission trips and visited various countries in Europe. They have three daughters and five grandchildren.
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