Today, Good Friday, we remember Jesus journey to and his death on the cross. The cross, as the Apostle Paul writes, is the very power of God for those who believe (1 Corinthians 1:18).

For us, in our time and culture, the cross can be reduced to a fashion symbol or jewelry charm and we can lose sight of the scandal of Paul’s claim that this death on the cross is the power of God.

Let us keep looking to Jesus. Our faith comes from Him and He is the One Who makes it perfect. He did not give up when He had to suffer shame and die on a cross. He knew of the joy that would be His later. Now He is sitting at the right side of God (Hebrews 12:2 NLV).

After a week filled with buzz and tension--a triumphant entry into Jerusalem, glory and honor from crowds of people, teaching, heated debates and turning over tables--suddenly Jesus goes silent. Where was he?

Imagine for a moment that you’re one of the twelve chosen by Jesus to walk with Him in His ministry. Everything that you’ve seen and experienced is culminating in this week leading up to His death and resurrection. Every lesson, every miracle, every word spoken was taking on more and more importance as the day drew near. As we walk with Jesus into the Tuesday of Holy Week, we discover His clash with the religious leaders of His day.  

You could say Jesus had an interesting Monday. First, He and His disciples had seen a fig tree in the distance. They hungrily hurried towards it only to discover that it had no fruit. Imagine their disappointment. Jesus had a lesson in mind and even more significantly, a symbol. He cursed the tree.

Palm Sunday is a bittersweet occasion. It is the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, but it is also the beginning of the end of the life of Jesus.