Holy Week

A poem reflecting on the events that led up to Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection

Calvary’s Hill by Kenna Elizabeth (2025)

On Palm Sunday, Jesus humbly rode in
To Jerusalem, though not on a warhorse,
But on a donkey, so prophecy would be fulfilled.

The people shouted, “Hosanna,”
For they wanted Him to save them.
Yet days later, they’d be the very ones who betrayed Him.

The following day, on a Monday just as holy, 
Jesus cleared out the temple, driving out those exchanging money.
He called out the greedy and flipped their tables over, 
Declaring that His temple would be a house of prayer. 

While hungry, He noticed a fig tree on the road, symbolizing Israel.
It was fruitless, so immediately, He cursed it to never bear fruit again.

The disciples watched in awe at how He did it with such speed,
To which He told them they could do the same and more,
That they could pray for anything with faith
And it would be received.

On Tuesday, Jesus taught through parables,
Speaking of sons, tenants, and banquet invites.  
He was questioned about taxes, in a feebly attempted test,
But His answers amazed them and they quickly left. 

Against the Messiah, they truly stood no chance. 
Yet He cared more about proclaiming the greatest command,
To love God and to love your neighbor as yourself.

Wednesday revealed there was a spy in His midst,
Though Jesus knew it’d be Judas
Who would give Him that signaling kiss. 
While He was being anointed with oil by Mary,  
The plot for His arrest was already beginning. 

On Thursday, with utmost humility,
He washed His disciples’ feet, telling them,
“Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”
They shared a Passover meal, which would be His very last,
And He predicted that soon even Peter would turn his back. 

Then off to the garden, Jesus went to pray,
While His disciples could hardly stay awake. 
He was full of sorrow and deeply overwhelmed, 
Asking the Father if this cup could be taken from Him. 

But ultimately, He wanted His will to be done,
So when the chief priests arrived, He didn’t fight or run.

On Friday, He stood accused before judges.
He could’ve been released, but the crowd chose Barabbas.
They didn’t care that He hadn’t committed any crimes,
But shouted increasingly louder for Him to be crucified.

Jesus, knowing what He must do, carried His own cross. 
He was violently beaten, mocked, spit on, and flogged.
After six grueling hours of nails piercing His feet and hands,
He cried out and gave up His spirit; the Savior was dead. 

At once, the temple curtain tore and a great earthquake began,
Both scaring and changing the hearts of the guards,
They realized that, “Surely he was the Son of God!”

Saturday came, still and eerily silent. 
Some were grieving, while others were afraid. 
Everything appeared to be lost, and Heaven seemed quiet. 

On Sunday, the women went to His tomb
To see where He’d been laid, but the grave was empty,
The stone had been rolled away.

An angel told them that He had been raised,
Then they saw Jesus, who told them, “Do not be afraid.”
Instantly, they fell at His feet with worship and praise. 

In that moment, death was defeated
And the fear of it became no more. 
When Jesus arose, our hope was restored.

He didn't seek to kill His enemies,
As many people might. He died for us instead,
So we could have new and everlasting life.

Now the price of sin has been fully paid,  
The barrier between us and God is no longer a weight. 

We can become His beloved children and be filled by the Spirit.
We can enter His kingdom and pray with great expectation. 
 
Our precious Jesus, of endless value,
He is forever worthy of all exaltation.

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This poem is included on pages 33-36 of my poetry collection Then, Now, and When.

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Prayer Requests

I believe that interceding for others is an essential part of being a Christ follower. After all, what better way to love someone than to pray for them? Because of that, I will now be including a prayer request section at the end of every post!

Please feel free to leave your name (if you’re comfortable doing so) and anything you need prayer for. Each week, I’ll intentionally set aside time to pray over these requests.

Send them here!