A Simple Holy Week Devotional for Reflection and Renewal

With Real-Life Reflections from a Faith-Rooted Homeschool Mama

Holy Week offers a sacred space in the Christian calendar—a time to slow down and reflect. As we walk through the final days of Jesus’ earthly ministry, we remember His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, His deep love shown through sacrifice, and the victory He won through His resurrection. This devotional invites you to pause each day, pray, and reflect on the beauty and power of what Jesus accomplished for you.

This year, I choose to lay down my own expectations and welcome the King as He is, not as I want Him to be.

Holy Week is such a sacred stretch of days.

As a wife, homeschool mama, and homemaker, I often find myself rushing through routines—but this week always stops me in my tracks. It’s not just a historical journey; it’s a personal invitation to slow down, reflect, and let Jesus’ sacrifice and resurrection speak freshly to my heart. I invite you to walk through each day with me, just as we are—seeking, stretched, and surrendered.

Palm Sunday: Welcoming the King

Scripture: “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” – Matthew 21:9

On Palm Sunday, we remember the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. As He rode on a donkey, crowds gathered, waving palm branches and shouting, “Hosanna!” They welcomed Jesus as their King, excited by the possibility that He was the long-awaited Messiah. But their joy was mixed with confusion, for they did not fully understand the kind of King Jesus would be.

Reflection:
Jesus entered Jerusalem to shouts of praise—but He knew the cross waited ahead. That contrast grips me. Some days I feel like the crowd—so full of praise and passion. Other days I find myself distracted, overwhelmed, or doubting His plan.

This Palm Sunday, I want to ask: Am I truly making room for Jesus to reign in my daily life? In my home, am I inviting Him to lead—not just during Bible time or Sunday morning, but when the laundry piles up, when tempers flare, or when I’m weary and stretched thin?

Personal Moment:
This year on Palm Sunday, we our kids walked the front of our church as they waved palm leaves. After hearing all that they learned from their bible classes, I was overcome with so much gratitude for our church and for our family. It was a special moment to see them excited to celebrate Jesus.

Maundy Thursday: The Last Supper and the Command to Love

Scripture: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” – John 13:34

On Maundy Thursday, we remember Jesus’ last supper with His disciples before His arrest. During the meal, Jesus washed the disciples’ feet, demonstrating the depth of His humility and servanthood. He then shared the bread and wine, symbolizing His body and blood, which would be broken and shed for the forgiveness of sins.

Reflection:
On Maundy Thursday, Jesus did something unexpected—He knelt and washed the feet of His disciples. He didn’t demand praise; He picked up a towel. That picture has stayed with me through so many seasons of motherhood.

Personal Moment:
There have been countless evenings where I’ve found myself wiping spills, bandaging scraped knees, separating yet another load of laundry—and feeling invisible, yet overly needed. “Who would do this if I wasn’t here?” is the question I seem to ask myself over and over. But Jesus reminds me that love shines brightest in those small, quiet acts. Serving isn’t lesser—it’s Kingdom work. It’s what He did.

And when I serve my family with a joyful heart, I reflect Him to the people I love most.

Good Friday: The Sacrifice of the Cross

Scripture: “But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed.” – Isaiah 53:5

Good Friday is the solemn day we remember Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. It was on this day that Jesus, the innocent Lamb of God, took upon Himself the sins of the world. He was mocked, beaten, and ultimately crucified, suffering an excruciating death for us. The weight of our sin was placed upon Him, and He bore it willingly.

Reflection:
Good Friday always moves me to tears. The cross wasn’t just a historical event—it was personal. Jesus endured every moment of pain, every insult, every wound… for me. For you. That’s overwhelming grace.

Personal Moment:
I remember one Good Friday when I sat in the quiet of my living room after the kids went to bed. My bible was open and I flipped to read Isaiah 53 aloud, and the weight of His sacrifice hit me like never before. I had spent the whole week hustling and hadn’t slowed down to sit at the foot of the cross. That night, I wept—and worshiped.

The cross reminds me that no matter how far I’ve wandered, His love has already made a way home.

Easter Sunday: The Resurrection of Christ

Scripture: “He is not here; He has risen, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay.” – Matthew 28:6

Easter Sunday is the day we celebrate the victory of Jesus over sin and death. After His death on Good Friday, Jesus was buried in a tomb. But on the third day, He rose from the dead, just as He had promised. His resurrection is the foundation of our faith—it is through His victory over death that we are given hope for eternal life.

Reflection:
Overall, the resurrection of Jesus is the ultimate display of God’s power and the fulfillment of His promises. Because of Jesus’ resurrection, we no longer have to fear death or live in the shadow of sin. We are given new life in Christ, a life that is marked by hope, peace, and joy.

He is risen!

Every time I say it, I feel joy bubble up inside. The tomb is empty, and that changes everything. Jesus didn’t just rise—He conquered death so we could walk in freedom, hope, and victory. That means even my weary, worn-out mama heart can be renewed.

Personal Moment:
I used to put so much pressure on Easter: the outfits, the baskets, the perfect meal. But as years have passed, I’ve realized that “Easter” isn’t what we are celebrating. As my kids have gotten older and understand more about what Resurrection Sunday is, I’ve felt a conviction that the fluffy easter stuff isn’t what I’m called to do. I don’t want to celebrate an imaginary bunny and eggs filled with candy. That has no relation to Jesus. I want to celebrate what Jesus came to Earth to die for. THAT is what we celebrate.

Easter isn’t about my effort. It’s about His empty tomb.

This Easter, I’m claiming that same truth over every area where I’ve felt stuck or weary.

Jesus is alive, and His resurrection breathes life into my home, my heart, and my calling.

As we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, we are invited to live in the reality of Christ’s resurrection. We are not just remembering an event from the past; we are living in the power of that resurrection today. What areas of your life need to experience the resurrection power of Jesus? How can you live in the freedom that His resurrection brings?

This week, we don’t just remember the story—we live it.

As we journey through Holy Week, let us take time each day to reflect on the significance of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. May these days draw us closer to Him and deepen our understanding of His love for us. Holy Week is a time to renew our faith, reflect on God’s incredible sacrifice, and celebrate the victory we have in Christ.

I absolutely love Focus on the Family and their Holy Week content. They have lots of activities and give great ideas on how to make Holy Week special for the entire family.

Including Kids in Holy Week

Don’t worry about perfect devotionals or quiet reverence—kids connect with Jesus through stories, movement, and hands-on moments. Read the Easter story at breakfast, act out Palm Sunday with branches from the yard, or light a candle each day to mark the journey toward the cross. Let them ask questions, wave paper palms, and whisper prayers in their own words. The goal isn’t flawless structure—it’s planting seeds of faith that grow deep over time.

Let this Holy Week mark a shift in your spiritual walk, not just another date on the calendar. Choose to turn your heart more fully toward Jesus right in the middle of real life—while you wipe little faces, prepare meals, fold laundry, and teach lessons around the kitchen table. You stand on sacred ground, mama. You don’t need perfection to enter it—just presence.

When you feel weary, run to the cross and lay it all down.

Walk into the days of Holy Week knowing this: the same Spirit who raised Jesus from the grave lives in you (Romans 8:11). You carry His power, you walk in His freedom and you get to live differently—because He lives in you.

When you feel lost, let the empty tomb speak life and purpose over you.
When you feel stuck in the everyday, invite resurrection power into every routine and rhythm.

So claim deeper peace. Step into bolder faith. Choose joy right where you are.

Keep showing up, keep walking forward, and keep trusting the risen King—because He rose, and now, you rise too.

As you move forward, carry this with you: the same power that raised Jesus from the dead now lives in you (Romans 8:11). That means you’re never too far gone, never too small, never too late to walk in newness of life. Let this be the beginning of something new—deeper peace, bolder faith, and more joy right where you are.

Keep walking, sister. He is risen—and because of that, so are we.

Blessings – Amber

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