3/29/26 “A Week to Remember”

“A Week to Remember” 

Scripture: Passages from the Gospel of Luke 

By show of hands, if someone were to ask you if you were an adventurous person, how many would answer “Yes”? 

...I’m there with you. 

I lOVE me a good adventure...always have. 

For me, getting my driver’s license was like getting a ticket to the great beyond... 

I could now potentially get behind the steering wheel of my car and drive until I hit an ocean...In fact, I did just that a couple of times. 

These days, Lisa & I both still enjoy adventures, but we do a bit more planning than when we were younger.... 

Many times, we’ll be gone for a week...with some sort of activity planned for each day of that week. 

For instance, back in 2020, we flew out to the Northwest part of the country and explored something different every day....Day 1 was the Columbia River Gorge....day 2 was hiking Mt Hood...day 3 was Crater Lake....day 4 was hiking through the Redwoods in Northern California...day 5 was exploring the Oregon coast...day 6 was hiking Mt. Ranier...and on day 7 we flew home. 

Sometimes a week-long itinerary is already planned for you. 

When you were a kid, did you ever attend a week-long camp? 

On the first day of camp, you typically get a schedule of what will happen each day... 

That’s how it works for the students at our church camp every July at Expeditions in Baraboo... 

Day 1 they do this....Day 2 they do that.....etc, etc....throughout the week. 

For many people, week-long adventures are memories that stick with us for the rest of our lives... 

Well....today we’re going to look at a specific week from history that happens to be the most important week in all of history.... 

A week that is most certainly...a week worth remembering... 

As many of you know, today is Palm Sunday... 

the day where we remember Jesus triumphantly riding into Jerusalem on a donkey....as adoring fans wave palm branches in the air...and throw their coats down before him.... 

The events on Palm Sunday are just the beginning to what we refer to as ‘Holy Week’....or ‘Passion Week’.... 

The final week of Jesus’ life...and the events that would forever shape the eternal destiny of mankind. 

Holy Week is so important that it commands a significant amount of chapters in each of the 4 gospels. 

When taken altogether, 33% of the gospels focus on Holy Week...30 total chapters. 

8 chapters in Matthew, 6 in Mark, 6 in Luke, and 10 in John. 

While the Gospel of John spends the highest proportion of its total content on Holy Week....and while Mark provides the most detailed account of the action that takes place over those 7 days... 

It is Luke who provides a beautiful day-to-day summary of the events of this all-important ‘week to remember’.... 

....so it is to the gospel of Luke we turn this morning. 

Traditionally on Palm Sunday, we look at just the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.... 

This year, I’d like to do something a bit different. 

We'll briefly look at the events of Palm Sunday....but we’ll also look at what Jesus did on Monday...and Tuesday....and Wednesday....and Thursday....and Friday....and Saturday.... 

What Jesus did the following Sunday...that - of course - deserves its own day! 

....which we’ll look at next week. 

But each of the days leading up to Resurrection Sunday also have important events that we can learn from.... 

So that is our adventure for today....let’s get started! 

Turn with me in your Bibles to Luke chapter 19, beginning with verse 28.  

This is when Jesus begins his final journey to Jerusalem...the city of David, of which He is the prophesied descendant whose kingdom will have no end.... 

Sadly – however – the people didn’t recognize Him for who He truly was. 

Verse 28 (Luke 19:28) begins, “After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘why are you untying it?’ tell him, ‘The Lord needs it.’ Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them “Why are you untying the colt?” They replied, “The Lord needs it.” They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road. When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices fao all the miracles they had seen: “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” “I tell you,”He replied, “If they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” (Luke 19: 28-40) 

Here we have the familiar scene of Palm Sunday. 

Jesus, His disciples, and an entourage of followers who had just witnessed Jesus bringing Lazarus back to life are all coming to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover week.... 

...It was the festival week of remembrance and thankfulness to God for sparing the eldest sons of the Jewish households in Egypt – those who had the blood of the lamb around their doorposts... 

....Such a powerfully prophetic precursor to how God now saves those who have the blood of the lamb – Jesus Christ – around the doorposts of their hearts. 

Jesus tells His disciples to find a young donkey.... 

This is a direct fulfillment of prophecy. 

Zechariah (A book written 500 years before Jesus walked the earth) declares, “Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” (Zechariah 9:9) 

This is one of 2 fulfilled prophecies that we see here in Luke chapter 19. 

The other is in verse 38 (Luke 19:38) “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!”  

This was a direct quote from Psalm 118:26.... 

Here we have the King of the Universe riding into Jerusalem....and no one understands who he really is....even His own disciples! 

The words of praise being expressed by the people are correct, but the meaning of those words are lost on them. 

Many of them understood that Jesus represented God....but they didn’t understand that the reason he represented God was because.....He WAS God! 

Like me, many of you love sunsets. 

Few things in our world hold the same beauty and splendor... 

Many people believe that a sunset is over as soon as the sun dips below the horizon....the photographers all pack up and leave the beach...or the hillside 

But for me...I love what happens after the sun goes beneath the horizon....it is then that the sky changes to beautiful hues of orange...and purple....and red....and yellow....and blue. 

These beautiful colors of twilight not only represent the sun...they still are the sun!.... 

...they are the sun’s rays still tickling the gases of the atmosphere to produce a gorgeous tapestry of color on the horizon.... 

Jesus Christ was that gorgeous tapestry of light for the Jewish people some 2,000 years ago, but – sadly – many turned away when they felt the show was over....when their perception of God’s deliverance didn’t match up with their own expectations.... 

....all the while missing out on the most beautiful life the world had ever seen. 

This is the story of Palm Sunday. 

The people were excited about what Jesus could do for them physically.... 

...but then quickly deserted him when they found out that Jesus’ plan involved what He could do for the.... spiritually. 

Isn’t that just like human nature? 

We get all excited about what others can do for us physically....but pay little attention to what can be done for us spiritually. 

Ever wonder why church attendance continues to plummet in our world today? 

People fill their Sunday mornings with things that physically float their boat.... 

Sometimes, it’s a literal boat!....or it’s an athletic tournament....or it’s a walk in the woods...or it’s a shopping trip...or it’s chores around the house....or it’s the desire to stay in our PJ’s until Noon.... 

We like to participate in whatever feeds our physical desires... 

And we – as a culture – are pathetically apathetic about what feeds our spiritual needs. 

This brings us to Monday of Holy Week. 

Turn back to Luke chapter 19, beginning with verse 45, “Then he entered the temple area and began driving out those who were selling. “It is written, he said to them, “My house will be a house of prayer; but you have made it a den of robbers.” (Luke 19:45-46) 

Think you had a rough Monday last week? 

I guarantee you, these immoral money changers had it worse. 

I mean, how often have you had God-in-the-flesh come into your cubicle...or work station...or office....or job site...and begin yelling at you - and throwing things around? 

....Not lately, right? 

This is one of only 3 times in scripture where we are told that Jesus became angry....with a righteous kind of anger. 

The temple  – His ‘Father’s House’ as Jesus called it when he was 12 years old - rather than being a place of worship and prayer.... 

....was being turned into a sleazy market where people were being manipulated, swindled, and conned. 

I think we can learn a lot from Monday’s mayhem.... 

Maybe the most important lesson is to maintain a reverent fear of the Lord...including all that we do here at church while assembled in worship. 

Hebrews 12:28 says, “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe” 

What does “reverence and awe” look like in practice...in a corporate setting? 

For one, it means that – when we come together as a church body- we need to focus exclusively on worshipping God alone...and absolutely nothing else. 

It means that every component of our service needs to point to him... 

Are you performing the special on a given Sunday?....make sure the content of your special glorifies God – and Him alone. 

Are you using your talents in some way during the service?...make sure you reflect attention upward, not absorb it horizontally unto yourself.... 

Did you come dressed modestly?....or did you dress in such a way as to draw attention to yourself? 

This is all a part of worshipping God with reverence and awe. 

Tuesday. 

The itinerary for Tuesday has to do with teaching. 

This was the day when Jesus taught throngs of people within the city of Jerusalem about the kingdom of heaven.... 

Giving his fellow Jews one last chance to receive Him as their king....to heal them spiritually....to notice the sunset. 

....to have them receive what they really needed the most.... 

In chapter 20 of Luke we see Jesus tell a powerful parable about the owner of a vineyard who goes away and leaves some of His tenants in charge... 

Years later, he sends a servant to settle accounts with the tenants....but the tenants beat the servant and send him away. 

The owner sends another servant...and the same thing happens to him. 

Still, a third servant is sent....with the same result. 

Finally, the master sends his own son thinking that the tenants will surely listen to him. 

But instead, the son is beaten - and killed - by the tenants. 

This was a portrait of God’s dealings with Israel. 

The prophets were commissioned by God to settle accounts with Israel...and they are all mistreated and ignored. 

Finally, God sends His own son to the people...and - out of their own hatred and jealousy - they kill Him. 

Jesus was describing what was about to happen to Him in just a matter of days.... 

....the people who stood to gain so many spiritual blessings...took the life of the source of those blessings. 

So....What can we learn from this today? 

I think the central lesson is to respect God’s Word. 

We have this collection of books written by God through the hand of men. 

A book that was sent through time – all the way to us today in 2026. 

...and within it contains the promise of spiritual blessings untold....if we only take the time to immerse ourselves in it. 

...take the time to respect it for what it is...the inerrant, infallible, immutable, instruction manual for life! 

This book is like no other book ever written. 

It holds the key to your eternal destiny...respect it. Read it. Ingest it. Live by it! 

Wednesday. 

We don’t know a lot about Wednesday of Holy Week. 

If Holy Week were a cruise ship itinerary, Wednesday would be a ‘Day at Sea’...no specific excursions are listed for this day. 

It is sometimes assumed that Wednesday was the day in which Judas put his plan of betrayal into motion. 

Luke chapter 22, verses 1 through 6 provide a glimpse into what may have taken place on Wednesday. 

Verse 4 (Luke 22:4) reads, “And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus.” 

Judas – out of his own volition...his own free will - decides to set a trap for Jesus by consorting with the religious leaders who already wanted Jesus dead. 

....religious leaders who were wolves in sheep’s clothing. 

What can we learn from Wednesday? 

I think Judas preferred the status quo...the tradition...the rules...the fake religiosity of the current faith system implemented by prideful and wicked men. 

He preferred these things because they were comfortable....they were what he knew...and what pleased him. 

Judas...I believe...was scared of truly opening himself up to Jesus and the other disciples....he feared real  authenticity and vulnerability. 

As the money handler of the group...he valued the tangible over the spiritual.... 

....He pursued physical & material items....over invisible, eternal truths. 

And – following this kind of worldview to its logical conclusion...it leads to death. 

In Judas’ case...he took his own life. 

He not only died physically...but he died spiritually as well. 

This happens today as well when people value the sensory-driven philosophies and ideologies of this broken world ..... over the metaphysical realities & truth of the almighty God. 

People love themselves – and their own desires – rather than having a desire for the morality of God that transcends all of humanity... 

...make sure you value the important things in life...the things the Bible calls vital to our spiritual lives... 

....relationships...truth...wisdom....discernment...obedience. 

Make sure you submit to Jesus Christ rather than submitting to a broken culture of lies and deceit. 

Thursday. 

We remember Thursday for the most important meal ever recorded in scripture. 

Jesus assembles with his 12 disciples just hours before he is to be arrested and taken off to his death. 

This is when Jesus proclaims the new covenant in His blood...a covenant built upon HIs own blood that will soon be shed for all of mankind... 

This is where we see how the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper ought to be proclaimed when we gather for communion... 

Luke 22:20 reads, “In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.” 

Jesus is the perfect lamb...no longer would animal sacrifices need to be offered to God.... 

...for the unblemished human “lamb” was about to be slaughtered for man to be acceptable in the sight of a Holy and Righteous God... 

...For sin’s debt to be forgiven in those who humble themselves and submit in faith & repentance to the Lordship of Christ. 

Thursday is where we see Jesus model what it means to be a humble servant by performing the demeaning act of washing His disciples’ feet... 

...and how it teaches us about the washing of sin through repentance and faith. 

Last year, some of you mentioned how you found our theatrical rendition of ‘The Living Last Supper’ to be especially moving in its depiction of the events from Thursday night of Holy Week... 

Some of you appreciate attending Maundy Thursday services in the area... 

.... many times, incorporating numerous church families together in a display of unity in the presence of our Savior.... 

These are good things to partake in during Holy Week...as long as we fix our full gaze upon Jesus...and His impending sacrifice for the sins of man. 

This entire week is all about Jesus...the author and perfector of our faith. 

Friday. 

If you’re alive and you have a pulse, you know what happened on Good Friday. 

Jesus willingly goes to the cross...offers His life as a ransom for many.... 

Ultimately, those who will indeed come to faith in Him. 

Hopefully, many of you can be here this coming Friday night at 7:00 PM.... 

....as we contemplate the cross....and what the shed blood of Jesus means for us today. 

Luke 23 verses 44- 46 give a detailed account of Jesus’ final moments, “It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last. 

One thing to think about for us today. 

How many of you have a piece of jewelry that resembles the cross? 

It’s ok...I’m not going to chew you out! 😊  

I also have a few rubber bracelets and shirts that I wear depicting the cross. 

We wear these things to remind us of Jesus’ sacrifice for us... 

....although some people who wear crosses have very little knowledge about what the cross really means. 

The cross was an instrument of torture....and a Chistian from the first century would be a bit surprised to see one hanging from one’s neck...or ear....or wrist. 

It would have most certainly been “Too Soon”, so to speak....to when Jesus had been hanging on this instrument of death... 

it was – after all - the brutal Roman tool by which the savior had bled and died. 

...and for them, it would have held more of a visceral, painful reality – than a symbolic reminder of the atonement. 

For context, we would think it a bit weird if someone today were to wear a tiny metal electric chair around their neck..... or from their ears....right? 

This would be how many 1st century Christians would have viewed the cross as a piece of jewelry. 

In general....Believers didn’t begin using the symbol of the cross until around 312 AD when the Roman Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity... 

So...is there anything we can learn from this? 

Let’s just remember that the cross isn’t “Cute”...it isn’t “Fashionable” ...it isn’t just a “Coordinated accessory”.... 

It’s the representation of a horrific torture device that – because of our sins – Jesus was nailed to. 

...Let the image of the cross promote solemn thankfulness in our hearts....and authentic regret for sin. 

Saturday. 

Here’s another ‘Day at Sea’, so to speak. 

Jesus’ body lay in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea. 

Hope seemed to be fading fast. 

The disciples were in a state of dissaray and fear. 

Only one verse in Luke chapter 23 refers to Saturday’s events. 

Luke 23:56 reads, “Then they (the women) went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.” 

Many theologians point out that scripture also indicates that, on Saturday, Jesus was in the realm of the dead...witnessing to the spirits of those who had already died. 

1 Peter 3:18-20 reads, “....He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah.....” 

We could spend the rest of the week talking about that particular passage – and a few others – that seem to indicate that Jesus was busy performing a divine mission of revelation on Saturday.... 

But all we need to be concerned about today comes from Luke 23:56. 

The women were focused on performing their duties...obedient to the law...and remained hopeful in the face of tragedy. 

What an example for us today. 

Whatever comes down the line in your life...remain focused on God....obediently give him praise....and remain hopeful in Christ – no matter what life throws your way. 

And then there was.....Sunday. 

And y’all are just gonna have to come back next Sunday to hear about  - and celebrate - THAT very, very special Day! 

Let’s Pray.