Here are 28 daily readings and reflections for Holy Week and Easter. If you wish you could use this as a short devotional during this season.
Day 1 – Palm Sunday
When Jesus came near the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:
‘Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!’
‘Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!’
(Luke 19:28-40)
Just imagine being in the crowd that day, welcoming the King and praising God for all the wonders they’d witnessed. Their praise echoed the angels’ song as they heralded Jesus’ birth – peace was coming to earth through King Jesus, who made it possible for us to be right with God.
Day 2 – Monday of Holy Week
A teacher of the law asked Jesus, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” Jesus replied, “The most important is this: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’”
(Mark 12:28-31)
After a series of questions designed to trap Jesus, he finally receives one that’s genuine. Of all the laws, what matters most? Jesus’ answer takes a moment to remember but a lifetime to live out. Love God with everything you are, and then love each other. May God help us to love.
Day 3 – Tuesday of Holy Week
“Leave her alone, said Jesus, “Why are you bothering her? She’s done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you’ll always have with you; help them any time you want. But you won’t always have me. She did what she could. She anointed my body beforehand for burial.”
(Mark 14:6-8)
In response to the disciples’ outrage at the woman, Jesus defends her. She is, at that moment, God’s gift of grace to him. How many people had done something to show their appreciation for him without expecting anything in response? What beautiful thing could you do for Jesus?
Day 4 – Wednesday of Holy Week
Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, that he’d come from God and would return to God; so he got up and wrapped a towel around his waist. Then, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet.
(John 13:3-5)
This is the most offensive thing Jesus ever did, lowering himself to the status of a slave, cleaning mess off his followers’ feet. No wonder Peter was so shocked; he couldn’t bear to see his Lord stoop so low. And yet, this embodies the love Jesus want to see in his kingdom.
Day 5 – Maundy Thursday
Jesus took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body given for you; do this to remember me.’ In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup’s the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.’
(Luke 22:19-20)
At the heart of our faith is this meal that Jesus gave us to remember the glorious truth that his body was broken and blood was poured out for us, to enable us to be forgiven and to establish a new relationship between us and God. May we never lose the wonder of his mercy.
Day 6 – Good Friday
At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).
(Mark 15:33-34)
Jesus was torn apart by the burden of humanity’s sins as much as the nails and the cross. He endured the agony of separation from his Heavenly Father and bore our sins so that we might be free of them and know the reality that absolutely nothing can separate us from God’s love.
Day 7 – Holy Saturday
When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
(John 19:30)
It is finished.
Over now.
The evil they unleashed on you,
Whips and nails,
threats and curses,
Shall not hurt you any more.
You can rest now,
faithful servant.
Your battle’s ended,
your work is done.
It is finished,
this all had purpose.
Night has fallen,
but the day will dawn.
Day 8 – Easter Sunday
They saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side of the tomb, and they were alarmed. “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You’re looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him.”
(Mark 16:5-6)
The two women came to the tomb to anoint Jesus’ body, the last act of devotion they could give to their Lord. Instead, they were the first witnesses of the world-changing news that Jesus was alive. Because of the resurrection death and sin have lost their grip and hope has dawned.
Day 9 – Easter Monday
“Mary!” Jesus said. She cried out, “Teacher!” Jesus said, “Don’t cling to me. Go and tell my brothers, ‘I’m ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Mary Magdalene found the disciples and told them: “I’ve seen the Lord!”
(John 20:16-18)
That one word changed everything. “Mary”, said so tenderly by the man she’d believed would never say her name again. Hope flooded back – and then purpose: “Go, and tell my brothers…” What a privilege, to be the first messenger of that most incredible news – Jesus is alive!
Day 10 – Tuesday
The men said to them, ‘Why do you look for the living among the dead? He’s not here; he’s risen! Remember what he told you in Galilee? “The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.”’
(Luke 24:5-7)
The disciples didn’t expect Jesus to rise from the dead. Yet, as the angels explained, this was always God’s plan. St Paul explains, “Christ died for our sins … he was buried … he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures” (1Corinthians 15). Jesus died and rose again to save us.
Day 11 – Wednesday
Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’
They were frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, ‘Why are you troubled? Why do you doubt what you see? Look at my hands and feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see.’
(Luke 24:36-39)
Jesus’ risen presence speaks peace to our confusion and fright. Jesus’ risen presence also gives us a hint of our destiny. Though our bodies will fail, God will give us new bodies that won’t decay, fit for life in God’s new creation. This is the hope he calls us to proclaim.
Day 12 – Thursday
Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.
(1 Corinthians 15:1-2)
Christians are soft targets for ridicule, dismissed as weak and credulous. We’re tempted to keep quiet as we feel embarrassed about our faith. Let’s hold firm and continue to proclaim that Christ died for this broken world, but rose again, that he’s the only hope for humanity.
Day 13 – Friday
If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.
(1 Corinthians 15:19, 20, 22)
Recently I’ve used part of my Easter sermon to teach the congregation why we can be confident that Jesus rose from the dead. Paul was no stranger to people dismissing this as a story; as he points out, if the resurrection didn’t happen then Christianity is a total waste of time.
Day 14 – Saturday
“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
(1 Corinthians 15:55-57)
Perhaps the biggest difference the resurrection makes is that it destroys fear, as Jesus has broken the power of death. As Martin Luther King said, “I’m happy tonight; I’m not worried about anything; I’m not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.”
Day 15 – Sunday
“When Jesus was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.”
(Luke 24:30-31)
The resurrection means new hope. The two disciples were bereft and hopeless until Jesus joined them on the road and everything changed. Using the Scriptures, he showed how his suffering was part of God’s plan; then he broke bread and hope rose again. May God open our eyes to hope.
Day 16 – Monday
They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.”
(Luke 24:33-34)
The resurrection means a fresh start. Verse 34 is one of my favourite Bible verses. Peter had screwed up badly, denying Jesus. He deserved to be snubbed and discredited. Instead the risen Jesus met privately with him and he encountered grace. With Jesus there’s always a way back.
Day 17 – Tuesday
Jesus said, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Stop doubting & believe.” Thomas exclaimed, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus told him, “You believe because you’ve seen me; blessed are those who believe without seeing me.”
(John 20:27-29)
The resurrection means that Jesus accepts us fully, doubt and all. Thomas spent 3 years with Jesus, heard him speak about the resurrection, yet didn’t believe the disciples. Jesus appeared again, just for him. Jesus meets us where we are but doesn’t want to leave us there.
Day 18 – Wednesday
Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
(John 21:15)
The resurrection means fresh purpose. Jesus not only forgave Peter for screwing up by denying him, he commissioned him to lead the Jesus movement after his ascension. For us this means no matter how much we’ve let him down, Jesus has a role for us to play in his Kingdom purposes.
Day 19 – Thursday
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade.
(1 Peter 1:3-4)
The resurrection means that the best is yet to come. Whatever we go through in life – trials, challenges, setbacks and disappointments – is only temporary. This life is not all there is. Jesus has secured for us a future beyond our imagining. Nothing can take that away from us.
Day 20 – Friday
Abraham wasn’t counted as righteous just for his benefit, but for ours too – God will also count us as righteous if we believe in him, who raised Jesus from the dead. He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.
(Romans 4:23-25)
The resurrection means forgiveness. Our sins were nailed to the cross as the sinless one became sin for us, paying the price for the bad things we’ve done. When he rose again, the charge-sheet against us was torn up, it’s forgotten; we’re forgiven, made clean and purified.
Day 21 – Saturday
The death Jesus died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.
(Romans 6:10-11)
The resurrection means we are called to live holy lives. If Jesus died to take our sin away, why continue living a sinful lifestyle? Doing so cheapens grace, taking it for granted. Instead, we’re called to strive for godliness, so that Jesus’ light shines through us unhindered.
Day 22 – Sunday
But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
(Romans 6:22-23)
The resurrection means that God can break us free from sinful habits that so often plague us, that we feel we’ll never shake off. He not only clothes us with Jesus’ perfection, but he works in our lives to make us more perfect. So, don’t despair, he’s not finished with you yet!
Day 23 – Monday
Give thanks to the Father who has qualified you to share in the saintsʼ inheritance in the light. He delivered us from the power of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
(Colossians 1:12-14)
The resurrection means we become citizens of a different kingdom. Jesus has brought us from darkness into light. He has saved and forgiven us. Our calling is to be those who live with gratitude for all Jesus has done for us – expressing that verbally and in the way we live.
Day 24 – Tuesday
The dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.
(1 Thessalonians 4:16-18)
The resurrection means we are called to be people of hope. It’s so easy to despair when we hear the latest news, and to wonder if there’s any hope for humanity. But Jesus hasn’t given up on us, so we mustn’t either. We’re called to keep looking up and to encourage each other.
Day 25 – Wednesday
In all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.
(Romans 8:28-29)
The resurrection means that there’s no situation in our lives so bleak or challenging that it’s beyond God’s power to bring hope, restoration and healing. Nothing is wasted in God’s economy. In all things God’s creative power is at work in our lives to make us more like Jesus.
Day 26 – Thursday
Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns.” The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity.
(Psalm 96:10)
The resurrection means there is hope for the earth, because the Lord is King. Though rulers make bold claims and commit heinous deeds that seemingly go unpunished, in the end justice will triumph. In the meantime, God calls us not to despair, but to pray and work for that justice.
Day 27 – Friday
The Lord has made his salvation known and revealed his righteousness to the nations. He has remembered his love and his faithfulness to Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
(Psalm 98:2-3)
The resurrection means that God keeps his promises. Here and elsewhere the Scriptures prophesied that God would bring about salvation for the world. Hundreds of years later he did this through Jesus. If you’re clinging to a promise from God then hold on, because he is faithful.
Day 28 – Saturday
Give thanks to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known his deeds among the peoples. Sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Seek the Lord and his strength continually.
(Psalm 105:1-4)
The resurrection demands a response. Firstly, give thanks for all God’s done; secondly, testify to his work in our lives and through the risen Jesus; thirdly, seek him and his will for us. If he’s saved us, we belong to him; he has the right to guide what we do with our new life.
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