I like to call them the “Faith-Points” of true Christianity. In observance of this special time of year, some have a more formalized and strict procedure for remembering and reflecting on their significance. Others are very unstructured and open in their remembrances.

But, all orthodox Christians see this as a special time that needs to be remembered and reflected on each year. The “passion” or “holy” week revolves around Palm Sunday, Good Friday and Easter Morning.

Palm Sunday is the beginning of what is commonly called the seven days that changed the world. It is the beginning of the week where God takes action in history on our behalf … fulfilling that which all of the Old Testament looked forward to.

The week deals with the work of Messiah, on our behalf, to make atonement of sins possible for us. We know Jesus was aware of the work he was to do as the Messiah, by the statement of John 12:23, where He explained the significance of his entry into Jerusalem on Sunday, before He was crucified on Friday.

He said, “the hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.” (NIV)

Jesus was glorified as the Son of Man, by His obedience to the Father’s will for Him to be the Messiah. Remember what the Bible says in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” (NIV)

Jesus was glorified by becoming the sacrifice of Atonement on the Cross of Calvary that the Father purposed for Him to be, for you and me.

The week points toward the events of Friday and Sunday, which are really two sides of the same coin. The full meaning and understanding of the death and resurrection of Jesus as the Christ / Messiah can only be seen as they are understood together. Paul says in Romans 4:25, “He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.” (NIV)

Good Friday, is what orthodox Christianity looks to for our forgiveness of sins. Easter is what orthodox Christianity looks to for our new life in Jesus, the Messiah of God, who is our Savior.

In other words, the essence of Christianity revolves around the actions of God’s love and intervention on our behalf during this one single week in time, space and history. This is the core of orthodox Christian faith, and why we take time each year to reflect on the “Faith-Points” of our Christian faith. Without these historical points of faith, there would be no Christianity.

I encourage you to join with other believers and reflect this weekend and about the realities of the Christian faith on Easter Sunday. If you don’t have a place of worship and fellowship, you are welcome to join me in the remembrance of the “faith-points” of our faith these coming Sundays of the Holy Week.

Keep on thinking!!!!!
With Pen in Hand,
Dr. Chuck
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