What a difference a week makes! We follow Jesus as He comes into Jerusalem on what is now known as Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday in today’s blog post. Walk through the week with Jesus in preparation of celebrating this Sunday.
Palm Sunday
Jesus and His disciples have made their way to Jerusalem, the Holy City of God. They wanted to celebrate Passover there. As Jesus enters the city riding on a young donkey, people line the streets chanting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” (John 12:13). The crowd laid out palm branches and even their clothes on the roadway. The Jewish people certainly gave Jesus a triumphal entry.
Monday
Jesus makes His way to the temple. On the way, he sees a fig tree not bearing any fruit. To the wonderment of His disciples, Jesus says, “May no one ever eat from you again” (Mark 11:14). When He arrives at the temple, He finds the courts filled with money-changers and people buying and selling animals. Jesus overturns tables and drives these people away. He says, “My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations” (Mark 11:17).
Tuesday
Today they pass by the fig tree from the day before and find it withered. Jesus takes a moment to teach on faith. He teaches using many different parables. Pharisees and Jewish leaders challenge Jesus’ authority while the Sadducees challenge him on resurrection. Jesus skillfully answers their questions and does not fall into their traps. He leaves us with the greatest commandment in Mark 12:30, which is to “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” And, “love your neighbor as yourself” (v.31).
Wednesday
Judas makes a deal with the chief priests to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. Jesus is anointed by Mary Magdalene, Lazarus’ sister, with expensive perfume (John 12:3).
Thursday
Jesus celebrates Passover with His disciples. He also washes all of their feet. In the middle of the feast, Judas leaves to betray Him. Meanwhile, Jesus prays in the Garden of Gethsemane while Peter, James, and John sleep instead of joining Him in prayer. He prays for His Father’s will to be done. Then Judas betrays Jesus with a kiss, and Jesus is arrested. During the ordeal, Peter cuts off a slave’s ear and Jesus heals it.
Throughout the night, people testify against Jesus falsely accusing Him and misrepresenting what He said. Peter denies following Jesus three times.
Friday
Jesus has now been tried before the Sanhedrin, gone before King Herod, and visits with Pilate. The latter has Jesus flogged hoping to appease the Jews, but they later choose to release Barabbas instead of Jesus. The crowd of Jews chant, “Crucify Him!” Jesus is forced to carry His own cross. They nail Him to it and mock Him with a crown of thorns. He gives up His spirit and dies. His followers hurry to prepare His body and lay it in Joseph of Arimethea’s never-before-used tomb. Pilate places guards to make sure that nothing happens at the tomb.
Saturday
What a dark day! Jesus’ body continues to lay in the tomb. His followers mourn deeply. Jesus spoke about rising from the dead, but did He really mean it? Would He come back to life?
Sunday
He is risen! Mary Magdalene finds the stone rolled away from the tomb and speaks to Jesus. John and Peter race to the tomb to see for themselves. Throughout the day, this joyous news spreads and Jesus appears to many people.
What a reason to celebrate! Not only was Jesus alive but the most important part is that He took the punishment for our sins. We no longer are separated from God by sin. Jesus Christ was 100% man and 100% God. Because He was human, His body could die. Because Jesus is God, He could live a perfect life without sinning. As such, He was able to be the perfect sacrifice for sin.
God poured out His wrath on His Son that we might have eternal life. Jesus is “the way, the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father except through Him” (John 14:6). When you hear what Jesus lived a perfect life, died a cruel death on the cross, and was raised from the dead, this is the gospel. “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9).
It is simple, but it cost Jesus his life. And, there is a cost of following Jesus Christ. Even though the gift of faith is free, following Jesus will change you. The Holy Spirit will change you. You will never be the same. Celebrate Jesus this week from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday and everyday forward as we try to lead lives worthy of His name. Happy Resurrection Day!
If you need a place to celebrate, consider this your invitation to Lakeside Bible Church. Special service times are 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.