Views of the Passion Week
Christians celebrate Passion Week, sometimes called Holy Week, between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday. This week has to do with the life and death of Jesus, as well as the story of his resurrection. The teachings and events occurring in this week contribute a great deal to the views of Christianity. Different days throughout the week correlate with different views and teachings.
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Palm Sunday, Faith and Humility
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On Palm Sunday, the first day of Passion Week, Jesus Christ rode into Jerusalem as the Messiah, fulfilling a prophecy that was made by Zechariah 450 to 500 years earlier. Jesus rode into the city on a donkey, which exemplifies his humility. The people in the streets cut down palm branches and laid them in the road for him to ride in on. This day shows Jesus' great faith in God, as he knew that those praising him in the streets would demand his crucifixion days later. This demonstrates the faith in God's plan and the courage that Christians are encouraged to embrace.
The Last Supper, Love and Service
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The Thursday of this week is often called "Maundy Thursday" and is the day that Jesus and his disciples celebrated Passover. The word "Maundy" means command, and refers to Jesus' command to his disciples that they love and serve one another. He demonstrated this act by washing each of his disciples feet. This exemplified the Christian view that serving others is much holier than being served. This is also when Holy Communion was created, which is the eating and drinking of bread and wine in remembrance of Jesus.
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Good Friday, Suffering and Altruism
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On Good Friday, Jesus was put on trial, forced to carry the cross up a hill and is then crucified on the cross. Christians believe that the sky turned black at noon, possibly due to an eclipse. At this point, God is believed to have turned his back on "His Beloved Son," making Jesus' pain something more excruciating than the physical pain of crucifixion. Christians view Jesus' suffering as the price that had to be paid for sinners to be washed clean of their sins. This illustrates an altruistic stance, in which it is holy to suffer for the sake of others.
Easter Sunday, Miracles and Resurrection
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On Easter Sunday, Jesus Christ is believed to have risen from the dead. This day is a celebration of the miracles that God is capable of and also fulfills the promise that believers will also have a place with God one day. Just as Jesus was resurrected, many Christians hold the view that one day after they are dead and buried, Jesus will return for the "second coming." At this time, all the righteous will be resurrected like Jesus and go to live with God in Heaven.
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References
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