A Journey to God

Celebrating what is known as Holy Week, the week in which the entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, his last supper, crucifixion, and resurrection are commemorated. A week in which it is customary to reflect and remember those most important events of Jesus on earth. It is important to bear in mind that more than a commemoration or a reminder, it is rather a celebration of the victory of Jesus on that cross. Understanding that through his sacrifice you and I receive forgiveness of sins, salvation, and his undeserved grace. And more than a week of sadness and pain as some people remember it, it should be one of joy and rejoicing because the one who died on the cross rose on the third day and we live waiting for his return.

The True Meaning of Holy Week
Holy Week is not only to remember what Jesus had to go through before giving his life on the cross, but to remind us of his grace and love for us. Understanding that through his blood we now receive forgiveness of sins and new life in Christ. And if we transition to a new life in Christ, meaning

²² You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; ²³ to be made new in the attitude of your minds; ²⁴ and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:22-24 

Misconceptions Surrounding Holy Week
Many people have wanted to instill that Holy Week should be a time of sadness and pain because of Jesus’ death on the cross. They have also wanted to instill different types of rituals and sacrifices to be performed as part of the commemoration. Others believe that during Holy Week you cannot consume certain foods, you cannot sin, and you must refrain from the pleasures of life and/or abstain from things that are improper, among other things. Satan and this world have always wanted to distort what the word of God clearly establishes, and that is why it is important to search the scriptures and live in intimate communion with the heavenly Father who reveals to us what is right and what is wrong.

The importance of understanding Holy Week

That is why I have felt in my heart to share with you the true meaning of Easter with the following Bible verse that the Lord brought to my heart “Be holy because I am Holy” 1 Peter 1: 15-16. This means that holiness is every day and not just this one week that is commemorated as “Holy Week”. Holiness means separation from the worldly pleasures that this world offers in order to draw near God and glorify the name of the Lord with my way of living. Remembering that when we accept Christ into our lives and what He did for us doesn’t stop there. It is a victory that occurred on the cross, and for everyone who believes in Him and receives Him, they end up receiving His grace, an undeserved favor from the Lord.

The grace we receive from Jesus is not just salvation but a package of great blessings, such as healing, a new heart, His Holy Spirit, a new garment, forgiveness of sins, redemption… But just as there are blessings, there are also demands, and that is that you may live a life separated for God.

Living a Life in Christ During Holy Week

The other day I heard some people talking who say they love God, but in the middle of their conversations they mention things with double meanings or saying inappropriate things, and at the end they would say to each other “oh it’s going to be Holy Week” “oh sorry God I forgot we are in Holy Week”, and so on were the comments when they recognized that what they were expressing with their lips was not pleasing to God. Why do they recognize that their expressions or comments offend God but continue to repeat them? This is due to the religiosity in which many so-called Christians live. This is not a religion but a relationship with God. This does not mean being holy or set apart for God only one week a year, but rather my love for Jesus and having accepted him leads me to a life of consecration to him. When we seek God in prayer and make time to read his Word, there is a change within us that is reflected outwardly. A change that produces fruits worthy of repentance. Fruits that lead me to become more like Jesus.

Holy Week is not only to remember what Jesus had to go through before giving his life on the cross, but to remind us of his unconditional love for us. Understanding that through his blood we now receive forgiveness of sins and new life in Christ. A life of joy and peace in Christ Jesus. This does not mean that now that we are in a new life in Christ, we can continue sinning. Though we may not achieve perfection, by remaining near to the Lord, His grace keeps me in His favor.

And if we move on to a new life in Christ this means that our past way of living is left behind. “Regarding your former way of life, put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4:22-24. Though we may not achieve perfection, by remaining near to the Lord, His grace keeps me in His favor.

Let ‘s live not just Holy Week but the 365 days of the year as a celebration of the Victory we have received through Jesus on Calvary and let’s strive to live a life that pleases God. No, we are not perfect, but we have a Holy Spirit that helps us when we are willing to do His will. We have a Jesus who lifts us up when we fall and a Father who loves us so much that when we fail, He receives us with open arms.