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As Easter approaches, many of us tend to focus solely on the holiday itself overlooking the importance of the week preceding it known as Holy Week. Spanning from Palm Sunday to Easter, this week is undoubtedly the most significant time for Christians to study in Scripture, reflect on, share, and celebrate. 

For GiveSendGo, the essence of who we are and what we do is encapsulated in this week. The hope of Jesus is the heartbeat of our company and the reason we are passionate about sharing His ultimate act of generosity with everyone who visits our site.

 Palm Sunday 

“7 And they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it, and he sat on it. 8 And many spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields. 9 And those who went before and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! 10 Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!” 
- Mark 11:7-10 (ESV)

Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem as a day of joy and anticipation.If you were among the crowds, you would undoubtedly hear them proclaiming, "Hosanna! The Messiah is here!" eyes fixed on the long-awaited Messiah as they spread their cloaks and palm branches beneath the hooves of the donkey carrying him. However, amidst the celebration, this day casts a shadow on what's to come as it marks the beginning of Jesus' journey to the cross. The same people who are currently roaring in praise will soon be gnashing their teeth as they hand over Jesus to be brutally killed. 

 Good Friday 

“17 and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. 18 There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them…28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” 29 A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. 30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” 
- John 19:17-18, 28-30

As we reflect on the account of Jesus’ crucifixion we try to comprehend the excruciating moments he endured. It’s uncomfortable and nearly impossible to grasp fully.

Calling the day of Jesus’ agonizing and bloody death “good” may seem paradoxical but without it, there would be no hope. Sin would remain unchecked without remedy, escape or justice. We consider it “good” because Jesus’ sacrifice, made once and for all, makes salvation and reconciliation with God possible, restoring what sin had broken. Jesus underwent a death we deserved yet willingly took our place. That’s as “good” as it gets.

It’s crucial to remember that Jesus’ life was not taken from him; he willingly gave it up for us, bearing the weight of humanity's sins. And think on this for a moment - For Jesus, the Son who has existed for all eternity with God the Father, to experience His Father turning His face away and pouring out all His wrath upon the One He loves most underscores the profound goodness of this death for us. His perfect love led to a perfect death, part of God's perfect plan from the beginning.

His death was goodness made manifest to us. So as you read about His crucifixion—the spitting and lashes, the cross, and His final breath when He proclaimed "it is finished"—remember amid the reflection on the sin (yours and ours) that put Him there, the goodness of Jesus to be our sacrificial lamb because of His love for us.

 Easter 

1 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they [Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James] went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. 5 And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise." 
- Luke 24:1-7

As the sun dawns on Easter morning, the palpable grief of Mary the mother of Jesus, and Mary Magdalene, a dear friend and follower of Jesus, who had come to the tomb to anoint His cold and lifeless body, emanates from the pages of Scripture. However, upon arriving, they find the stone rolled away and Jesus' body missing. Mary Magdalene's first thought - His body has been stolen! Who would do this and why?

Yet, hope is just on the horizon and it's beyond what the women, religious leaders, or even we could have ever imagined. Jesus has risen from the dead! Before that solemn morning, our eternity was at stake. Now, this miracle holds immense significance for us. Without His resurrection, death would have triumphed, Jesus would not have been the Messiah He claimed to be and there would have been no hope. Praise God, for He keeps His promises—Jesus did rise from the dead! The grave is empty.

Christian or not, take some time during Holy Week to read about Jesus' journey to the cross and His miraculous resurrection. Reflect on the significance of His sacrifice, ask questions, and celebrate this true story of hope.

At GiveSendGo, our mission is to “share the hope of Jesus through crowdfunding,” and Jesus’ ultimate act of generosity—dying on the cross for us and rising three days later—is the hope we are passionate about sharing. While GiveSendGo is for EVERYONE this hope is the heartbeat of our mission and the reason behind everything we do. Is it yours?  
 

If you’ve been around GiveSendGo long enough you’ve probably heard us say, “help and hope go hand-in-hand”, but what does that mean exactly, and why do we put such a high emphasis on hope? Aren’t we a crowdfunding platform that allows people to raise money for their needs, wants, and dreams? Well, yes. We are. But, we’ve come to realize that crowdfunding is SO much more than just raising money. It’s about the hope shared with people in times of need. 

But it’s not the hope that a person’s bills get paid for the month or that they’re able to now pay for their loved ’s funeral expenses. Money DOES relieve a heavy weight from people’s shoulders, but there’s a hope far greater and more powerful that everyone in the world needs - the hope of Jesus. 

See, everyone has material needs, but we all also have spiritual and emotional needs that must be met as well. Money can help pay for a team to Africa to share the gospel, but without hope and the Holy Spirit at work, no may ever hear or understand the good news being shared with them. Raising funds to help parents pay for their child's funeral certainly helps fill a real need they have, but it doesn’t take away the pain of loss they’re feeling or bring their child back. 

Meeting material needs are important, but they can go so far. It’s hope, specifically the ultimate hope Jesus offers, that can help carry someone through even the most painful and uncertain times. This is why we do our best to share Jesus with anyone who comes across our platform.

While 1 Timothy 6:17-19 is directed towards the wealthy of that time, these instructions are important for all of us to hear and follow. It says “Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be arrogant or to set their hope on the uncertainty of wealth, but on God who richly provides us with all things to enjoy. Instruct them to do what is good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and willing to share, storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of what is truly life.”

When we do things for God’s glory, like sharing hope and being generous with those around us for the purpose of His kingdom, we store up real treasure in heaven that will not fade away. This is a promise that far surpasses anything that money can provide.

And speaking of promises, Hebrews 10:23 reminds us of the unwavering character of God. It says, “Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering since he who promised is faithful.” God has given us many promises throughout His word, and we can trust that He will always be faithful to fulfill them. Unlike paychecks or donations, we don’t have to worry or doubt whether or not God's hope will come through for us. He’s faithful, and He will never stop being faithful.

So, while money is important, it is not the most important thing in life. It can’t buy the kind of hope that Jesus provides - a hope, for all those who believe in Him, that can sustain us through life's toughest moments. At GiveSendGo, we believe in the power of hope and strive to share it with everyone who comes across our platform. By sharing this hope with you and others, while offering a platform for people to use for fundraising when they need it, we show that help and hope really do go hand-in-hand. We encourage everyone to hold on to the hope that Jesus provides and share it with the people you know! 

 

Good Friday is a day of remembrance and reflection for Christians around the world. It is the day on which Jesus Christ was crucified, and it is a significant event in Christian theology. Despite the somber nature of the day, it is known as "Good Friday." This may seem strange, as the events that occurred on that day were anything but good. However, there are several reasons why Good Friday can truly be considered "good."

First and foremost, Good Friday is good because it represents the ultimate sacrifice. We as Christians believe Jesus Christ died the death we deserved on the cross. He willingly gave up his life so that others could be forgiven and have eternal life with him. While he did die a gruesome death, without it we would have no hope, so his death is good for us. This act of selflessness and love is considered the ultimate expression of God's grace and mercy.

Secondly, Good Friday is good because it represents victory over death. The crucifixion of Jesus Christ was not the end of the story. Praise God! Jesus rose from the dead on the third day, which we celebrate as Easter Sunday. This resurrection is the ultimate symbol of hope and triumph over death. Without his resurrection, his death would have been meaningless and God would not have kept his promise to us. But Christ did what no one else could do - rise again after becoming the ultimate sacrifice that would finally satisfy God’s justice. That’s why Jesus shouted “It is finished!” as he breathed his last breath on the cross. 

Finally, Good Friday is good because it reminds us of the depth of God's love. We may think - how can God sending his son to die a painful death on the cross be good? The events of Good Friday demonstrate the extent to which God was willing to go to save humanity. It shows that God's love is not conditional, but is freely given to all who seek it. Because of Jesus’ death, the gift of salvation is extended to each and every one of us who chooses to believe and trust in Him. We could not earn this on our own, but Christ paid that price for us. What a gift! 
Today, we at GiveSendGo ask you to join us in reflecting on Good Friday as we bend our knees in prayer to the one who paid it all for us on the cross!