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April 5, 2026

The Emotions of Holy Week

David Wilson   |   Read Matthew 28:1-10

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Lectionary Week
March 30–April 5, 2026
Scripture Overview

Although we anticipate the celebration of Easter, this week’s readings remind us to slow down and walk through Holy Week. The passage from Hebrews recalls the suffering of Jesus on the Cross, and Psalm 36 provides poetic imagery of the suffering servant. Both lead us to keep our focus on Jesus. The readings from John and Matthew guide us through the emotions of Jesus’ journey to the Cross—betrayal, conflict, denial, and hope. These themes guide us along the journey of Holy Week and empower our Easter response: to share the story of resurrection and to live out the command to love one another.

Questions and Suggestions for Reflection

Read Isaiah 42:1-9. How have you responded to God’s call on your life? How often has that call changed?
Read Psalm 36:5-11. What would your poem to God look like this week?
Read Hebrews 12:1-3. How do you stay focused on Jesus? What imagery in this passage do you think relates to staying focused?
Read Matthew 28:1-10. Think about a time that you had good news to share and could not keep it to yourself.

Respond by posting a prayer.

Matthew 28:1-10

1 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the tomb. 2 Look, there was a great earthquake, for an angel from the Lord came down from heaven. Coming to the stone, he rolled it away and sat on it. 3 Now his face was like lightning and his clothes as white as snow. 4 The guards were so terrified of him that they shook with fear and became like dead men. 5 But the angel said to the women, “Don’t be afraid. I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. 6 He isn’t here, because he’s been raised from the dead, just as he said. Come, see the place where they laid him. 7 Now hurry, go and tell his disciples, ‘He’s been raised from the dead. He’s going on ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there.’ I’ve given the message to you.” 8 With great fear and excitement, they hurried away from the tomb and ran to tell his disciples. 9 But Jesus met them and greeted them. They came and grabbed his feet and worshipped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Go and tell my brothers that I am going into Galilee. They will see me there.”

Unless otherwise indicated, scripture quotations are from the Common English Bible. Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible. Used by permission.

Several Muscogee-Creek tribal churches in the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference have a special ritual for their services of Holy Communion. The women bake the leavened bread and prepare the elements for the service. Whenever they are ready, they stand at the door of the church and process in with the...

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O Risen Lord, I begin this day with the joy that I serve a risen savior! Amen.


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