It’s Holy Week. The Christian world knows this. It’s the week that brings victory out of defeat. To me, it’s the most meaningful week of the year. It is the week that brings hope. Hope of new beginnings. Hope of a fresh start. Hope of a clean slate. And most of all, hope of eternal life.

But there are many that have no idea of the significance. To many it’s a week just like any other week. It was probably was the same way in Jesus’ day. Some were oblivious.

For me, this week makes me take notice. I want to read Scripture more. I want to see everything there is to see about what happened this week just over 2000 years ago. I want to attend dramas. I want to visit the Stations of the Cross. And I won’t miss Good Friday service. I want to draw as close as possible to God this week.

I wonder if Jesus’ disciples wanted to do the same. I wonder if those closest to the Christ wanted to cherish every moment during his final week in flesh. As many know, they really didn’t realize it was his final week, even after repeated references by Jesus that His end was near. But if they did understand that something was looming, I wonder if they wanted to be human sponges, soaking in every word of wisdom and watching every move he made.

That’s what I want to do. I want to watch every move He makes and listen to every word He speaks. I want to pray more. I want to just sit in His presence. I want Him to rub off on me. I want to become more like him and less like me.

All the while, millions go through this week not seeing the Savior. It’s not that they don’t realize it’s Easter. They know. Muslims know. Jews know. Even Atheists know. But they don’t see the Savior. They don’t recognize His love. They don’t experience His grace. They don’t know His mercy is new every morning.

Maybe for the folks around me each day, they don’t see Him because I’m still more like me and less like Him.

That’s why I need to spend more time with Him.

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Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. (Colossians 3:12-14)