Passion Week marks the events
that surround the last week of Jesus' life on this earth.
SPY WEDNESDAY
Faith De Zort
Lead Team
Lead Team
At first glance, Wednesday of Holy Week looks surprisingly bare when compared to the other action packed days of the last week of Jesus’ life. It contains only two events that are recorded in Scripture: a woman anointing Jesus with oil and Judas agreeing to betray Jesus.
In Matthew 26:6-13, we find Jesus having a meal in the home of Simon the Leper. During this meal a woman comes in, identified as Mary the sister of Lazarus, in the Gospel of John. She pours an expensive bottle of perfume on Jesus’ head as He reclines at the table. This bottle of perfume was worth over a year’s salary and was probably part of her dowry and meant for her future husband. That detail alone puts Mary’s sacrifice in a new light. She was not just giving Jesus an expensive gift, she was giving Him her future as well.
However, it is not just her gift that is noteworthy. Pay attention to what Jesus says when the disciples rebuke the woman for “wasting” such an expensive gift. He says, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial.Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” (Matthew 26:10-13, NIV)
While I have read this passage many times, it was not until I read a commentary on these verses, that I really, truly paid attention to Jesus’ response. I have always thought that Mary just happened to be moved to anoint Jesus right before His death. But reread what Jesus says: “When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial.” Jesus’ words could lead to the conclusion that preparing Him for burial was exactly what she was trying to do. Mary had heard Jesus say that His death was close. She believed in faith that He meant what He said (even when the disciples did not and argued with Him about it) and then did what she could to serve Him and prepare Him for it. What a beautiful, fragrant example of pure faith.
And who failed to grasp this on any level? Judas. After seeing a shining example of faith and love for the Savior, he is not moved to greater devotion for Jesus. Instead, Judas is spurred to an entirely different type of action. He goes out and finds the Pharisees. He. Finds. Them. And what does he ask when he does? “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” (Matthew 26:15a) Judas doesn’t even have a set price for betraying his Savior. Think about that. Jesus has been his master, friend, teacher, and proclaimed Messiah for over a year. Judas has traveled with Jesus. Heard His teaching. Seen His miracles. And yet, Judas sets no value on their relationship. He betrays Jesus for the equivalent of a day’s worth of work.
Mary gave a gift beyond measure. Judas betrayed a great gift for next to nothing. Mary gave Jesus her future. Judas showed that all he cared about was his own future. Mary’s gift reminds us of the greatest gift of all… the one that we are celebrating this Easter week. Jesus ultimately made the greatest sacrifice in being willing to give His life for ours. What are you willing to give Jesus in return? Will your gift reflect the heart of Mary? What value do you set on your relationship with Christ? “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” (Romans 12:1, NIV)
In Matthew 26:6-13, we find Jesus having a meal in the home of Simon the Leper. During this meal a woman comes in, identified as Mary the sister of Lazarus, in the Gospel of John. She pours an expensive bottle of perfume on Jesus’ head as He reclines at the table. This bottle of perfume was worth over a year’s salary and was probably part of her dowry and meant for her future husband. That detail alone puts Mary’s sacrifice in a new light. She was not just giving Jesus an expensive gift, she was giving Him her future as well.
However, it is not just her gift that is noteworthy. Pay attention to what Jesus says when the disciples rebuke the woman for “wasting” such an expensive gift. He says, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial.Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” (Matthew 26:10-13, NIV)
While I have read this passage many times, it was not until I read a commentary on these verses, that I really, truly paid attention to Jesus’ response. I have always thought that Mary just happened to be moved to anoint Jesus right before His death. But reread what Jesus says: “When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial.” Jesus’ words could lead to the conclusion that preparing Him for burial was exactly what she was trying to do. Mary had heard Jesus say that His death was close. She believed in faith that He meant what He said (even when the disciples did not and argued with Him about it) and then did what she could to serve Him and prepare Him for it. What a beautiful, fragrant example of pure faith.
And who failed to grasp this on any level? Judas. After seeing a shining example of faith and love for the Savior, he is not moved to greater devotion for Jesus. Instead, Judas is spurred to an entirely different type of action. He goes out and finds the Pharisees. He. Finds. Them. And what does he ask when he does? “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” (Matthew 26:15a) Judas doesn’t even have a set price for betraying his Savior. Think about that. Jesus has been his master, friend, teacher, and proclaimed Messiah for over a year. Judas has traveled with Jesus. Heard His teaching. Seen His miracles. And yet, Judas sets no value on their relationship. He betrays Jesus for the equivalent of a day’s worth of work.
Mary gave a gift beyond measure. Judas betrayed a great gift for next to nothing. Mary gave Jesus her future. Judas showed that all he cared about was his own future. Mary’s gift reminds us of the greatest gift of all… the one that we are celebrating this Easter week. Jesus ultimately made the greatest sacrifice in being willing to give His life for ours. What are you willing to give Jesus in return? Will your gift reflect the heart of Mary? What value do you set on your relationship with Christ? “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” (Romans 12:1, NIV)
HOLY TUESDAY
Michelle Scruggs
Pastor
Pastor
The time was reflecting the beginning of what is referred to as Holy Week. The people were gathering in Jerusalem for the festivals and celebrations that they had been taught to observe throughout many generations. Yet, for Jesus, perhaps He was counting the days...He was watching the time. He arrived on a donkey...day 1, just five days until it would be time. He had been at the Temple and seen the evil that was being done...day 2, just four days until it would be time. Here we find ourselves, on Holy Tuesday...day 3, just three days until it would be time.
The time for the Passover celebration was approaching. Some of the disciples that followed Jesus brought some men from far away to see Him. As they met, Jesus chose this moment to predict His death...to predict that His time was coming. In John 12: 23 (NLT), we can read that He announced that the time had come for the Son of Man to enter into His glory. Then, He proceeded to explain with a metaphor about a kernel of corn being planted in the soil and dying alone. He continued by saying that as that kernel died, it would produce a plentiful harvest. He knew that in time, when He died, there would be many souls to rise up and want to follow His ways. In verse 27, we see that Jesus said that His soul was deeply troubled, and He even contemplated asking His Father in Heaven to save Him from this hour...from this time. However, He knew by doing that, He wouldn’t bring glory to God. During the middle of the struggle that He felt, He knew the time was coming where He would have to do the will of the Father.
Inwardly, Jesus knew the time was approaching. In fact, there was just three days until it would be time. He wanted those around Him to focus on the future, on the eternal things. Yet, He still was aware that the time for judgment was also approaching, so Jesus prophesied in verse 32 that when His time came, He would be lifted up. He will draw everyone to Himself. This would happen in time...and that time, was coming soon. When Jesus told the people these things, those around Him responded by saying that they thought the Messiah would live forever and questioned why He was speaking as if He were going to die. They had been told about this time when a Messiah would come. They had understood it differently. They thought it meant a time for their Messiah to come to rescue them and fight for them, as if he were to be a strong, militant leader guiding them into victory.
Since Jesus knows all things and He knew this discussion of His time was causing many of His followers to worry and fret. He spoke with such intentionality in verses 35 and 36 in order to bring comfort to all of them.
“My light will shine for you just a little longer. Walk in the light while you can, so the darkness will not overtake you. Those who walk in the darkness cannot see where they are going. Put your trust in the light while there is time; then you will become children of the light.”
Jesus had just told them that He would draw them to Him when He was lifted up. In fact, verse 26 says we MUST be where He is if we are following after Him. So, Jesus admonishes the people to walk with Him, to walk in the light, while they can. Jesus is the Light. By walking with Him, we can see where we are going. We can know that He will illuminate our paths. He also tells them to put their trust in the light and to do that before time ran out.
The strange thing about time is that for some it can pass by quickly, in the blink of an eye. For others, time can drag on and on for what seems like an eternity. Yet in eternity, there is infinite time, it is literally forever. Earlier in that same passage, Jesus had mentioned that if you gave up your life and serve Him, you will keep their life for all eternity. We would be with Him for all time. As I have had more time to elapse in my lifetime, it is clear to me what I need to do, and I suggest you choose to do the same. Make time to walk in the Light, to walk with the Light. Make a choice to give your time to honor God in everything that you do, to serve Him every day. Put your trust in the Light, while there is still time, without delay. By doing these things, we can be assured that we will be with Jesus for eternity...for all time.
The time for the Passover celebration was approaching. Some of the disciples that followed Jesus brought some men from far away to see Him. As they met, Jesus chose this moment to predict His death...to predict that His time was coming. In John 12: 23 (NLT), we can read that He announced that the time had come for the Son of Man to enter into His glory. Then, He proceeded to explain with a metaphor about a kernel of corn being planted in the soil and dying alone. He continued by saying that as that kernel died, it would produce a plentiful harvest. He knew that in time, when He died, there would be many souls to rise up and want to follow His ways. In verse 27, we see that Jesus said that His soul was deeply troubled, and He even contemplated asking His Father in Heaven to save Him from this hour...from this time. However, He knew by doing that, He wouldn’t bring glory to God. During the middle of the struggle that He felt, He knew the time was coming where He would have to do the will of the Father.
Inwardly, Jesus knew the time was approaching. In fact, there was just three days until it would be time. He wanted those around Him to focus on the future, on the eternal things. Yet, He still was aware that the time for judgment was also approaching, so Jesus prophesied in verse 32 that when His time came, He would be lifted up. He will draw everyone to Himself. This would happen in time...and that time, was coming soon. When Jesus told the people these things, those around Him responded by saying that they thought the Messiah would live forever and questioned why He was speaking as if He were going to die. They had been told about this time when a Messiah would come. They had understood it differently. They thought it meant a time for their Messiah to come to rescue them and fight for them, as if he were to be a strong, militant leader guiding them into victory.
Since Jesus knows all things and He knew this discussion of His time was causing many of His followers to worry and fret. He spoke with such intentionality in verses 35 and 36 in order to bring comfort to all of them.
“My light will shine for you just a little longer. Walk in the light while you can, so the darkness will not overtake you. Those who walk in the darkness cannot see where they are going. Put your trust in the light while there is time; then you will become children of the light.”
Jesus had just told them that He would draw them to Him when He was lifted up. In fact, verse 26 says we MUST be where He is if we are following after Him. So, Jesus admonishes the people to walk with Him, to walk in the light, while they can. Jesus is the Light. By walking with Him, we can see where we are going. We can know that He will illuminate our paths. He also tells them to put their trust in the light and to do that before time ran out.
The strange thing about time is that for some it can pass by quickly, in the blink of an eye. For others, time can drag on and on for what seems like an eternity. Yet in eternity, there is infinite time, it is literally forever. Earlier in that same passage, Jesus had mentioned that if you gave up your life and serve Him, you will keep their life for all eternity. We would be with Him for all time. As I have had more time to elapse in my lifetime, it is clear to me what I need to do, and I suggest you choose to do the same. Make time to walk in the Light, to walk with the Light. Make a choice to give your time to honor God in everything that you do, to serve Him every day. Put your trust in the Light, while there is still time, without delay. By doing these things, we can be assured that we will be with Jesus for eternity...for all time.
HOLY MONDAY
Jeff De Zort
Lead Team
Lead Team
From a Distance... Everything Looks Fine
Mark 11: 12-19 (ESV)
Jesus Curses the Fig Tree
12 On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. 13 And seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see if he could find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. 14 And he said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard it.
Jesus Cleanses the Temple
15 And they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold and those who bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. 16 And he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. 17 And he was teaching them and saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers.” 18 And the chief priests and the scribes heard it and were seeking a way to destroy him, for they feared him, because all the crowd was astonished at his teaching. 19 And when evening came they went out of the city.
—---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yesterday we read and celebrated Palm Sunday. We read how Jesus rode into Jerusalem to the sound of shouts and praises. “Hosanna! Hosanna!” the crowds cried, laying down palm branches and cloaks as He passed. From a distance, it looked like the city had embraced its King. It looked like worship. It looked like love.
But Jesus knew better.
That evening, He left Jerusalem for Bethany. And the next morning, He would teach His disciples (and us) a powerful lesson.
He saw a fig tree in the distance—lush, leafy, full of promise. But as He got closer, He found no figs, only leaves. It wasn’t even the season for figs, and yet the tree had presented itself as something it wasn’t. Full of life on the outside, but fruitless within.
Jesus cursed the tree. He said “May no one ever eat fruit from you again!”
Later that same day, Jesus walked back into Jerusalem and entered the Temple. Again, from afar, all looked well. The city buzzed with Passover energy. Pilgrims packed the courts. Sacrifices were being prepared. Religious activity was at a peak.
But again, Jesus found no fruit. Only corruption. Greed. Exploitation. A place that was meant to be a House of Prayer had become a den of robbers. And just like with the fig tree, Jesus acted. He turned over the tables. He drove out the sellers. He cleansed the Temple.
Jesus’ curse of the fig tree wasn’t about botany. It was a living parable. A mirror held up to Jerusalem—and to us. The fig tree, like the people of the city, looked the part. It promised life. It had the appearance of fruitfulness. But it was all show. No substance. No fruit.
The crowds that cried “Hosanna!” on Sunday would cry “Crucify Him!” by Friday.
The Temple that looked so alive was filled with greed.
The fig tree was full of leaves… but empty inside.
What about us?
From the outside, our lives might look vibrant. We go to church. We serve. We post verses. We smile. We say the right words. But when Jesus looks closer, does He find fruit? Or just leaves?
Have we allowed our hearts to become like the Temple—busy, loud, religious… but disconnected from God’s presence and purpose?
Does Jesus need to turn over the tables in our hearts?
Let this Holy Week be a time of honest reflection—not just celebration. Let’s not settle for the illusion of health. Let’s ask Jesus to come close, inspect our hearts, and do whatever cleansing is necessary—so that we may truly live.
A couple of questions to reflect on:
1) What “leaves” in your life might be hiding a lack of spiritual fruit?
2) Are there areas where Jesus may be calling you to repentance and cleansing?
3) How can you move from appearance to authenticity in your walk with Him?
Lord, I don’t want to just look like I love You—I want a life that bears fruit for You. Search me. Cleanse me. If there are areas of my heart that have become a den of robbers, overturn the tables. Drive out what doesn’t belong. Fill me again with Your Spirit, that I may walk in truth and bear fruit that lasts. Amen.
Mark 11: 12-19 (ESV)
Jesus Curses the Fig Tree
12 On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. 13 And seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see if he could find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. 14 And he said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard it.
Jesus Cleanses the Temple
15 And they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold and those who bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. 16 And he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. 17 And he was teaching them and saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers.” 18 And the chief priests and the scribes heard it and were seeking a way to destroy him, for they feared him, because all the crowd was astonished at his teaching. 19 And when evening came they went out of the city.
—---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yesterday we read and celebrated Palm Sunday. We read how Jesus rode into Jerusalem to the sound of shouts and praises. “Hosanna! Hosanna!” the crowds cried, laying down palm branches and cloaks as He passed. From a distance, it looked like the city had embraced its King. It looked like worship. It looked like love.
But Jesus knew better.
That evening, He left Jerusalem for Bethany. And the next morning, He would teach His disciples (and us) a powerful lesson.
He saw a fig tree in the distance—lush, leafy, full of promise. But as He got closer, He found no figs, only leaves. It wasn’t even the season for figs, and yet the tree had presented itself as something it wasn’t. Full of life on the outside, but fruitless within.
Jesus cursed the tree. He said “May no one ever eat fruit from you again!”
Later that same day, Jesus walked back into Jerusalem and entered the Temple. Again, from afar, all looked well. The city buzzed with Passover energy. Pilgrims packed the courts. Sacrifices were being prepared. Religious activity was at a peak.
But again, Jesus found no fruit. Only corruption. Greed. Exploitation. A place that was meant to be a House of Prayer had become a den of robbers. And just like with the fig tree, Jesus acted. He turned over the tables. He drove out the sellers. He cleansed the Temple.
Jesus’ curse of the fig tree wasn’t about botany. It was a living parable. A mirror held up to Jerusalem—and to us. The fig tree, like the people of the city, looked the part. It promised life. It had the appearance of fruitfulness. But it was all show. No substance. No fruit.
The crowds that cried “Hosanna!” on Sunday would cry “Crucify Him!” by Friday.
The Temple that looked so alive was filled with greed.
The fig tree was full of leaves… but empty inside.
What about us?
From the outside, our lives might look vibrant. We go to church. We serve. We post verses. We smile. We say the right words. But when Jesus looks closer, does He find fruit? Or just leaves?
Have we allowed our hearts to become like the Temple—busy, loud, religious… but disconnected from God’s presence and purpose?
Does Jesus need to turn over the tables in our hearts?
Let this Holy Week be a time of honest reflection—not just celebration. Let’s not settle for the illusion of health. Let’s ask Jesus to come close, inspect our hearts, and do whatever cleansing is necessary—so that we may truly live.
A couple of questions to reflect on:
1) What “leaves” in your life might be hiding a lack of spiritual fruit?
2) Are there areas where Jesus may be calling you to repentance and cleansing?
3) How can you move from appearance to authenticity in your walk with Him?
Lord, I don’t want to just look like I love You—I want a life that bears fruit for You. Search me. Cleanse me. If there are areas of my heart that have become a den of robbers, overturn the tables. Drive out what doesn’t belong. Fill me again with Your Spirit, that I may walk in truth and bear fruit that lasts. Amen.
PALM SUNDAY
David Scruggs
Pastor
Pastor
DONKEY SUNDAY
Today’s known as PALM SUNDAY in the Christian world. It’s the celebration of Jesus coming into Jerusalem at the beginning of Passion Week. We often call this His, “Triumphal Entry”. This day is noted for people gathering to celebrate Jesus. The Bible says that they cut nearby palm branches and began to wave them in celebration! It even says that they began to take off their outer cloaks and lay them down on the road in front of Jesus. (Stay tuned to today’s One Hope Sermon for more about this!) John 12:13 depicts their cries of praise: “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the King of Israel!”
If you’ve been around One Hope for any time, you know that I have an interest in little donkeys. There’s a farm I pass on the way home every day that has 3 little donkeys, and I look for them every time I go by. Maybe my interest comes from this story in Scripture, because Jesus came riding into Jerusalem on a DONKEY!
At first glance, this may seem weird. For the Romans, a Triumphant leader would come into a city like this riding on a White Stallion … or maybe even an Elephant. Jesus has all the marks of the pomp and fanfare of an entry like this, but for the Romans, it might have even seemed laughable when He rode in on a DONKEY!
Some have looked at this part of the story and said that Jesus riding on a DONKEY marked His humility. I will agree that Jesus was humble. However, Jesus purposely did this to reveal Himself to those who were watching as the Messiah!
In Matthew 21, we read that while Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem, He sent two of His disciples to a nearby village in search of a donkey and its colt. They were to untie the donkeys and bring them to Jesus. He set this in motion. By doing this, He fulfilled a prophesy found in Zechariah 9:9 (NIV) “See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”
This isn’t the only prophecy He fulfills from Zechariah. Matthew says that Jesus enters the city from the Mount of Olives. Zechariah 14:1, 4, 9 (NIV) “A day of the Lord is coming … On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem … The Lord will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one Lord, and his name the only name.”
None of this is by accident. Jesus is declaring who He is and why He is here! He is the Messiah!
Matthew 21:10 (NIV) says, “When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”
It wasn’t just the people there with the palm branches that noticed what was going on … EVERYONE noticed. The whole city was stirred. And in the next verse they answer the question … “Who is this?”
Matthew 21:11 (NIV) “The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
Wave a palm branch today if you want! Celebrate Jesus … but don’t miss the significance of what He signaled riding in on a DONKEY! He is the Messiah! He is our Deliverer! He is the ONE … sent from God Himself … and through Him we have life, hope, joy, peace, forgiveness and freedom! It’s DONKEY SUNDAY!
Today’s known as PALM SUNDAY in the Christian world. It’s the celebration of Jesus coming into Jerusalem at the beginning of Passion Week. We often call this His, “Triumphal Entry”. This day is noted for people gathering to celebrate Jesus. The Bible says that they cut nearby palm branches and began to wave them in celebration! It even says that they began to take off their outer cloaks and lay them down on the road in front of Jesus. (Stay tuned to today’s One Hope Sermon for more about this!) John 12:13 depicts their cries of praise: “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the King of Israel!”
If you’ve been around One Hope for any time, you know that I have an interest in little donkeys. There’s a farm I pass on the way home every day that has 3 little donkeys, and I look for them every time I go by. Maybe my interest comes from this story in Scripture, because Jesus came riding into Jerusalem on a DONKEY!
At first glance, this may seem weird. For the Romans, a Triumphant leader would come into a city like this riding on a White Stallion … or maybe even an Elephant. Jesus has all the marks of the pomp and fanfare of an entry like this, but for the Romans, it might have even seemed laughable when He rode in on a DONKEY!
Some have looked at this part of the story and said that Jesus riding on a DONKEY marked His humility. I will agree that Jesus was humble. However, Jesus purposely did this to reveal Himself to those who were watching as the Messiah!
In Matthew 21, we read that while Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem, He sent two of His disciples to a nearby village in search of a donkey and its colt. They were to untie the donkeys and bring them to Jesus. He set this in motion. By doing this, He fulfilled a prophesy found in Zechariah 9:9 (NIV) “See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”
This isn’t the only prophecy He fulfills from Zechariah. Matthew says that Jesus enters the city from the Mount of Olives. Zechariah 14:1, 4, 9 (NIV) “A day of the Lord is coming … On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem … The Lord will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one Lord, and his name the only name.”
None of this is by accident. Jesus is declaring who He is and why He is here! He is the Messiah!
Matthew 21:10 (NIV) says, “When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”
It wasn’t just the people there with the palm branches that noticed what was going on … EVERYONE noticed. The whole city was stirred. And in the next verse they answer the question … “Who is this?”
Matthew 21:11 (NIV) “The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
Wave a palm branch today if you want! Celebrate Jesus … but don’t miss the significance of what He signaled riding in on a DONKEY! He is the Messiah! He is our Deliverer! He is the ONE … sent from God Himself … and through Him we have life, hope, joy, peace, forgiveness and freedom! It’s DONKEY SUNDAY!