The Passion Week, also known as Holy Week, marks the final week of Jesus Christ’s life leading to his crucifixion and resurrection. Each day of this significant week is filled with pivotal events. To aid in your celebration, I’m sharing a devotion based on Scripture that highlights key moments during Holy Week. Today, we’ll focus on two important events: Palm Sunday and Lazarus Saturday.
PALM SUNDAY
Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, as recorded in Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-44, and John 12:12-19. Jesus entered the city riding on a donkey, while crowds laid palm branches and cloaks on the road, shouting “Hosanna!” This moment fulfills the prophecy found in Zechariah 9:9, symbolizing victory and peace.
As the final Sunday of Lent, Palm Sunday holds deep significance in the Christian tradition. It invites believers to reflect on humility and sacrifice, as the joyous celebration precedes the somber events of Jesus’ death. As theologian N.T. Wright states, “Palm Sunday is a reminder that Jesus is the true king, but his kingdom is different from what we expect.” Let us prepare our hearts for this profound journey, leading to the resurrection and the promise of new life.
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LAZARUS SATURDAY
The day before Palm Sunday is often referred to as Lazarus Saturday in various Christian traditions. On this day, the Church commemorates the miracle of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead, as recorded in John 11-12. This event underscores Jesus’ authority over death.
On that Saturday, Jesus performed one of his most remarkable miracles: he raised Lazarus, the beloved brother of Mary and Martha, from the dead. When Lazarus fell gravely ill and died, hope seemed lost. By the time Jesus arrived in Bethany, Lazarus had been entombed for four days, his body already beginning to decay.
Martha, filled with grief yet unwavering in her faith, met Jesus and expressed her belief in the resurrection. Moved by compassion, Jesus asked to be taken to the tomb. He commanded the stone sealing the entrance to be rolled away, defying the finality of death. With heartfelt prayer, he called out, “Lazarus, come forth!” In that miraculous moment, Lazarus emerged, alive and renewed, shattering the despair of his family and friends.
This extraordinary event led many witnesses to recognize Jesus as the Messiah. The raising of Lazarus is not just a tale of resurrection; it powerfully illustrates Jesus’ dominion over death and his divine role as the giver of life. As the renowned pastor Charles Spurgeon noted, “The resurrection of Lazarus is a picture of the resurrection of our own bodies.” Additionally, historian Eusebius of Caesarea remarked, “The miracle of Lazarus is a testimony not only to Jesus’ power but also to the hope of resurrection for all believers.”
In John 11:49-50, the religious leaders declared, “You know nothing at all! Nor do you understand that it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish.” This statement foreshadowed Jesus’ impending sacrifice. Furthermore, in John 12:9-11, we see the chief priests plotting to kill Lazarus as well, “because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.” This highlights the escalating tension and the lengths to which the leaders would go to maintain their authority.
The resurrection of Lazarus foreshadows Christ’s own resurrection, affirming that he is “the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25). It sets the stage for the pivotal events of Holy Week, culminating in Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday—a moment that will echo through eternity.
As we reflect on Lazarus Saturday and Palm Sunday, we are invited into the deeper meaning of Holy Week—a journey from death to life, from sorrow to triumph. What does it mean for you personally that Jesus is “the resurrection and the life”? Have you experienced His power to bring hope where there once was despair? I’d love to hear how these moments in Scripture speak to your heart as we prepare for the days ahead. Share your reflections in the comments or send me a message—let’s walk through this sacred week together.
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