There is a reason they call it Passion Week.

The word passion comes from the Latin meaning “to suffer” or “to endure.”  Originally, the word was designated to refer only to Good Friday, to Christ’s sufferings on the cross.  Eventually, it was used to describe the entire week beginning with Palm Sunday and ending with Easter.  Christ’s endurance was not simply demonstrated on that Friday but throughout the five days leading up to it.  And the victory that ensued on the following Easter Sunday serves as the fruit of that endurance.

But there is another meaning to the word passion.  It means to do something with great emotion and intensity.  That too describes Jesus in this week that so many around the world will commemorate.  He rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday with resolute purpose.  He faced death on Good Friday with courage.  He rose up on Easter morning to complete the reason for which He came.

Clearly the word passion describes our Lord.  What we need to consider is if it describes his church.  Is the word applicable to us?  As we come together on Palm Sunday, Good Friday and Easter, do we do so out of duty or with passion.  Are we excited and moved by the commemoration of Jesus’ coronation, his sacrificial death and his incredible victory over death?  I hope so.

Check out the web or the weekend worship folder for all the Passion Week activities and times.

I hope to see you at all of them.