Passion Week

I Love to Tell the Story (1869)

I love to tell the story of unseen things above, of Jesus and His glory, of Jesus and His love: I love to tell the story because I know ‘tis true; It satisfies my longings as nothing else can do.

I love to tell the story! Twill be my theme in glory. To tell the old, old story of Jesus and His love.

When I was approached with the idea of celebrating Passion Week through song, I thought it was a great idea. Sharing words from old hymns that have survived the ages would touch hearts. A hymn is a song of praise or thanksgiving to God. Just like the Bible has stood the test of time, the words from these old hymns still speak to us today. The time from Palm Sunday through Easter Sunday is called Passion Week. The name comes from Jesus’ willingness to go to the cross to pay for our sin. Passion is defined as a strong and barely controllable emotion. It was because of His great love that we can find grace today. The Passion Week begins with a great celebration! Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem fulfilled prophecy from Zechariah 9:9. Rejoice greatly,…See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. This is a description of a king that would enter in peace.

The people were praising God and shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Mark 11:9) Hosanna! Shouts of praise to The Prince of Peace!

Ride on, ride on in majesty! Hark! All the tribes Hosanna cry; O Savior meek, purse thy road with palms and scatter’d garments strewed. Amen. (1820)

“Hosanna, loud” the little children sang; through pillared court and temple. The joyful anthem rang; To Jesus who had blessed them close folded to His breast, the children sang their praises. The simplest and best. (1872)

Julia Scott and Sharon White