Holy Week Sermon Ideas
Holy Week is the time set aside to remember the last days of Jesus's life leading up to his death and resurrection, stretching from Palm or Passion Sunday to Easter Sunday.
What is Holy Week?
In Holy Week worship, Christians journey from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday, from Christ's entry into Jerusalem to the resurrection. On Palm Sunday, Jesus is hailed as a conquering king ("Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!"), illustrating a part of the confusion that pervaded Jesus's life. Would he usher in the kingdom of God in its fullness right now, or only later? On Thursday, Jesus celebrated Passover with his disciples and instituted the Lord's Supper, feeding the traitor Judas along with the other disciples. On Friday, Jesus died a horrible death by crucifixion on Golgotha and was buried. Christians believe that Jesus's death was not a mere expiration, but a heroic sacrifice of himself to win atonement "for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world" (1 John 2:2). Holy Week sermons and worship can touch on all of these ideas and more.
How do I plan a worship service for Holy Week?
Some congregations may hold a number of services during Holy Week, including Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Vigil. Others may choose to hold only a single service between Palm or Passion Sunday and Easter morning, weaving together themes related to each of Jesus's last days.
When is Holy Week?
Holy Week is the week between Palm or Passion Sunday and Easter.
What colors could be used for Holy Week?
Colors for Holy Week can change throughout the week. They can be purple (from Lent) or red; on Good Friday, they can be black. They can also be white, the color for Easter.
What objects or symbols could be used for Holy Week?
Throughout the week, we can remember various stories from scripture, many of which have symbols or objects.
On Thursday, we can remember Jesus washing his disciples' feet and use a bowl of water, pitcher, and towel to remember this story. Additionally, we can remember the story of the Last Supper. Bread and juice are fitting symbols to remember Jesus's final meal with his disciples and remember how he broke his bread and body for us.
On Friday, we remember the cross on which Christ died. We can remember the darkness of that day with tangible symbols to help our congregations remember the stories of Jesus's death.
What themes could be used for Holy Week?
- washing the disciples' feet and "Love one another" (See Maundy Thursday)
- the Last Supper and proclaiming Jesus's death (See Salvation in Christ by grace and Maundy Thursday)
- Jesus in Gethsemane and the suffering servant (see Good Friday)
- sacrificial love (See Sacrificial love)
- salvation in Christ by grace (See Salvation in Christ by grace)
- Jesus's burial and waiting (See Holy Saturday)
Bible passage ideas for Holy Week
Holy Week narratives
Significant events
- John 12:12–16, Jesus enters Jerusalem
- John 12:20–26, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified"
- Matthew 26:14–16, Judas's betrayal
- Matthew 26:26–30, the Last Supper
- Mark 14:32–36, Jesus in Gethsemane
- Mark 15:25–28, Jesus crucified
- Mark 15:33–34, Jesus cries out
- Mark 15:52–57, Jesus's burial
Love one another
- John 15:1–17, love each other and bear fruit
- Ephesians 4–5, walk in love
- Hebrews 10:19–25, spur one another on toward love
- 1 John 4:7–21, let us love one another
Sacrificial love
- Genesis 22:1–14, the binding of Isaac
- Lamentations 3, ceaseless love amid suffering
- John 10:14–18, the shepherd lays down his life
- 1 John 3:16; 4:7–21, God's love is revealed in Jesus
- Hebrews 4:14–5:10, Christ is both high priest and sacrifice
Salvation in Christ by grace
- Genesis 3:14–15, the woman's offspring will crush the serpent's head
- Acts 13:16–41, God's salvation of Israel
- Romans 3:21–26, righteousness through faith
- Romans 8:1–17, set free in Christ
- 1 Corinthians 1:17–21, the power of the cross
- Galatians 3:1–14, redeemed from the curse
- Ephesians 2:13–22, reconciliation through the cross
- Philippians 2:5–11, obedience unto death
- Colossians 1:19–23, peace through the cross
- Colossians 2:13–15, trespasses nailed to the cross
- Hebrews 2:5–9, Jesus the representative human
- Hebrews 10:1–25, the body of Christ once for all
- 1 Peter 1:10–20, ransomed with the blood of Christ
- Revelation 5:6–14, the Lamb who was slain
Death and resurrection
Catholic monks often read the book of Lamentations during Holy Week. The death of Jesus can be compared to fall of the city of Jerusalem. In each case, the center of our life has been assailed and ruined.
