In the midst of COVID-19 we find ourselves here in Holy Week, the week leading up to Easter. Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday and ends with Easter Morning. Holy weeks days are all called “Holy” and some, like Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, are given extra emphasis for their significance. What makes this year different is our “new normal”, as we have dubbed life during the shadow of COVID-19. I ask the question though: does it diminish Holy Week, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, or Easter? I think not, if anything, it helps us to see its significance more clearly. Lets explore this from COVID to Creed.
Palm Sunday still marks the day Jesus arrived in Jerusalem (Matthew 21: 7-11). Holy Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday represent all Jesus did and taught in His final days; from enlightening parables, condemning words, and trashing the tables in the temple courtyard (Matthew 21:11-26:13). Maundy Thursday is the day of the Last Supper and the Washing of the Feet, along with Judas’ betrayal (Matthew 26:14-56). Finally, Good Friday marks the day our Lord and Savior declares aloud “It is Finished” after enduring insults, torture, and crucifixion on our behalf (Matthew 27:11-56). And then the long wait…
The Waiting
Three days; what happened in those three days? Well the disciples hid, fearing retribution and not yet knowing what was coming. The Pharisees, along with the whole Sanhedrin, planned a cover up knowing the claims Jesus made of his resurrection. Pontius Pilate gave military support to the Pharisee cover up. And two women, each named Mary, prepared to perform the proper burial rights for Jesus (Matthew 27:62-28:15).
Two women, in a culture where women were considered little more than property, were the first. It was Easter Morning these two women were first to discover and to see Jesus had risen. In the coming days the disciples would all learn of Jesus’ resurrection, be empowered, and charged with The Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20). Jesus remained 40 days before He ascended to heaven and He is now seated at the right hand of the Father, until the second coming; the day we Christians await with awesome anticipation.
So, I ask again: does COVID-19 diminish this glorious week? Not at all. It just reminds us all what we are really waiting for and why Easter is such an important day on the Christian calendar. Now as the title states “From COVID to Creed”, I will finish with this:
The Apostles Creed
“I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.
Amen.
