Holy Week at OBC

The week from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday has been called Holy Week for millennia, and we invite you to set apart this week with us as we remember the events leading to Christ’s crucifixion and prepare to celebrate our Lord’s resurrection. To help guide you through this week, we are sharing a Bible reading plan below and links to a daily devotional series and Spotify playlists.

A Bible Reading Plan
We invite you to read through one or more of the gospel accounts of Holy Week listed below. I recommend that you select one or two Gospel accounts to read each day and alternate with the other gospels in following years.

1. Palm Sunday | Jesus Enters Jerusalem
Matt 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:28-44; John 12:12-50

2. Monday | Temple Cleansing and Bethany
Matt 21:12-17; Mark 11:12-19; Luke 19:45-48

3. Tuesday | Temple Confrontations and Olivet Discourse
Matt 21:18-26:1; Mark 11:20-13:37; Luke 20:1-37

4. Spy Wednesday | Betrayal and Anointing
Matt 26:3-16; Mark 14:1-11; Luke 21:38-22:6

5. Maundy Thursday | Passover Meal, Arrest, and Denials
Matt 26:17-75; Mark 14:12-72; Luke 22:7-65; John 13:1-18:27

6. Good Friday | Crucifixion
Matt 27:1-61; Mark 15:1-47; Luke 22:66-23:56a; John 18:28-19:42

7. Saturday | The Tomb
Matt 27:62-66; Mark 16:1; Luke 23:56b

8. Resurrection Sunday | He is Risen!
Matt 28:1-20; Mark 16:2-8; Luke 24:1-53; John 20:1-21:25

As you look through these readings, there are a few things you should notice. First, not every event is recorded in each Gospel, as some Gospels are more concise, while others are more detailed. Second, the Gospel of John has significantly more content on this week, as the second half of the book is focused on the last week leading to Christ’s death and resurrection.

Some of these texts are more action focused and quick moving as they recount specific events, while others hold longer sections of Jesus’ teachings such as the debates at the Temple followed by the Olivet Discourse on Tuesday, and then the Upper Room Discourse on Thursday.

As you read, pray that the Lord would open your eyes to behold his wonders (Ps 119:18), and that His Word would work on your heart (John 20:31; Luke 24:32).

A Daily Devotional and Spotify Playlists
We also invite you to watch or listen to this devotional series for each day of Holy Week. Accompanying each of these videos are Spotify playlists that are curated to give you a daily soundtrack of songs reflecting on Christ.

Media Library
For more content, sermons from past years on Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday are also available in our media library.

This Week
We invite you to join us for our Palm Sunday dinner, Tuesday’s Hymn Sing, our Good Friday worship service, and Resurrection Sunday morning.

We look forward to this week of remembering the work of Christ, celebrating His resurrection, and rejoicing and worshiping our Lord together.

Blessings in Christ,
Pastor Ben