“Pilate addressed them once more, desiring to release Jesus, but they kept shouting, ‘Crucify, crucify him!’ A third time he said to them, ‘Why? What evil has he done? I have found in him no guilt deserving death. I will therefore punish and release him.’ But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he should be crucified. And their voices prevailed. So Pilate decided that their demand should be granted. He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus over to their will,” (Luke 23:20-25, ESV).

How does one ponder the days and events of Holy Week? I recommend reading Adam Fahling’s The Life of Christ, now available in a revised edition from Concordia Publishing House (CPH). This beloved book organizes the Gospel accounts into a single narrative, with historical background and explanatory comments. I particularly love reading the progression of Palm Sunday through the days of Holy Week to Jesus’ death and resurrection. Fahling’s ordering of the material and explanations make the Passion account so vivid. I always feel like it helps prepare my ears and heart to hear the familiar words again and reflect on Christ’s Passion.

May Pastor Fahling’s words, drawn from the Scriptures, be a blessing to you as you meditate on our Lord’s Passion in these coming days.

“The joy of Jesus was soon turned into sorrow. As much as He rejoiced over the many sincere hosannas, He was nevertheless pained at the thought that much of the ecstasy was short-lived. While the true believers would always acknowledge Him as the Son of David, yet He knew that Jerusalem was about to reject its King.” (p. 525-526)

“‘What shall I do, then, with Jesus, which is called Christ?’ he [Pontius Pilate] asked in helpless despair … Quick as an echo the answer was flashed back: ‘Crucify Him!’ As with wild vehemence the hideous yells rent of accusers were in dead earnest in their clamor for blood … He was lost. There was no use of his pleading any longer.” (p. 644-645)

“Jesus now announced to the world the completion of His work. It was not the gasp of a dying man, but as a proclamation of victory. Jesus uttered the exultant cry: ‘It is finished!’ Finished was His suffering for the sins of mankind, finished His redeeming work! All the things that were written in the Old Testament Scriptures concerning the Messiah were now fulfilled. At an end at last were the well-nigh unending mockery and endless shame. All things were now accomplished. The battle had been fought, the Serpent had been crushed, sin had been conquered, redemption was effected and the walls of separation between man and God were removed.” (p. 676)

May God bless your observance of this most solemn Holy Week and celebrate with joy the coming announcement of His resurrection!

Prayer – Merciful and everlasting God, You did not spare Your only Son, but delivered Him up for us all to bear our sins on the cross. Grant that our hearts may be so fixed with steadfast faith in Him that we fear not the power of sin, death, and the devil; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.