In 2012, the city of Indianapolis hosted the Super Bowl. The week, as it turned out, was one of the mildest Hoosier winters on record, and thousands of people turned out on the streets to enjoy the various attractions and the ambiance of the Super Bowl experience in temperatures that were almost spring-like.

My family was one of those who turned out on the streets, too. We toured the town—pressed shoulder-to-shoulder with the thousands of others who were enjoying the atmosphere. It was, in fact, all very exciting and dizzying.

Centuries ago, when Jesus entered Jerusalem, there was a unique excitement, only instead of welcoming a Super Bowl team, the people had turned out to catch a glimpse of a Galilean prophet named Jesus. There were, indeed, thousands of people on hand during the Passover (and from all over the Mediterranean landscape); expectations were high.

The people came with questions. Would this Jesus of Nazareth be the One to deliver them from Roman tyranny? Would Jesus raise up an army? Would He assume the mantle of political leader and lead a revolt?

No. Jesus did none of these things. Rather, He offended the politicians of His day, along with the religious leaders, and subsequently was crucified as a revolutionary and a madman. After the smoke cleared, all that was left were the witnesses—His friends.

Holy week is an opportunity for youth leaders to reacquaint teenagers with these deep truths. To be a friend of Jesus is to be a revolutionary. We walk a different path from the world around us. Following Christ is difficult because we still are asking these same questions in our time but in a different context. We don’t have all the answers, but we seek to be friends who will carry the Spirit of Jesus through this life and be witnesses to His love.

Holy week, indeed, is a call to friendship with God. Holy week reminds us to seek our redemption beyond the powers of this corrupted world and to discover God’s salvation in the humble path of sacrifice. Like Jesus, our example and Friend.