Holy Week is upon us. Like Christmas it can be a time of traditions. 

We wave palms on Palm Sunday, sing “The Old Rugged Cross” on Good Friday, and say “He is Risen!” on Easter morning. Some people also have family gatherings or Easter Egg hunts.

At its heart, a tradition is about passing on or handing down something, usually a teaching. Customs and events are intended to help us do that. 

For example, Easter is about God’s saving love and what Christ has done for us at the cross and empty tomb. Our customs and events should help us pass on the importance of those realities.

That’s why it’s important not only to talk about WHAT you’re doing but WHY you’re doing it.

We can no longer take it for granted that people know what Easter is about. Schools don’t teach it. The culture doesn’t support it—other than some public holidays which have been a part of our secular make-up for years. The “Christmas and Easter” crowd at church is now the Christmas crowd—and even that is fading.

If you don’t pass on the meaning of why you’re doing what you’re doing, no one else will.

Paul wrote these words to his fellow Christians: “So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter” (2 Thessalonians 2:15, ESV).

They are to “stand firm” and “hold” to the traditions they were taught. So should we. 

As you sing and pray and rejoice and ponder, remember to talk not only about WHAT you’re doing but WHY.

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Notes:

–“Tradition or Traditionalism?” Sermon. April 2, 2023. Click here.

–Bible quotes are from the NIV.