Rose Publishing - Palm Sunday to Easter

Hugh Claycombe

FRIDAY Arrival in Bethany (Before Palm Sunday)

John 12:1

Jesus arrived in Bethany six days before the Passover to spend some time with his friends, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. While here, Mary anointed his feet with costly perfume as an act of humility. This tender expression indicated Marys devotion to Jesus and her willingness to serve him.

Not mentioned in the Gospels. Since the next day was the Sabbath, the Lord probably spent the day in traditional fashion with his friends.

SUNDAY The Triumphal Entry

Matt. 21:111; Mark 11:111; Luke 19:2844; John 12:1219

On the first day of the week Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, fulfilling an ancient prophecy (Zech. 9:9). The crowd welcomed him with Hosanna and the words of Psalm 118:2526, thus ascribing to him a messianic title as the agent of the Lord, the coming King of Israel. The Roman road climbed steeply to the crest of the Mount of Olives, affording a spectacular view of the Desert of Judea to the east and Jerusalem across the Kidron Valley to the west.

MONDAY Clearing of the Temple

Matt. 21:1017; Mark 11:1518; Luke 19:4548

The next day he returned to the temple and found the court of the Gentiles full of traders and money changers making large profits as they gave out Jewish coins in exchange for pagan money. Jesus drove them out and overturned their tables.

Matt. 21:2324:51; Mark 11:2713:37; Luke 20:121:36

In Jerusalem, Jesus evaded the traps set by the priests.

On the Mount of Olives overlooking Jerusalem (Tuesday afternoon, exact location unknown), Jesus taught in parables and warned the people against the Pharisees. He predicted the destruction of Herods great temple and told his disciples about future events, including his own return.

Not mentioned in the Gospels. The Scriptures do not mention this day, but the counting of the days (Mark 14:1; John 12:1) seems to indicate that there was another day of which the Gospels record nothing.

THURSDAY Passover and Last Supper

Matt. 26:1730; Mark 14:1226; Luke 22:723; John 13:130

In an upper room, Jesus prepared both himself and his disciples for his death. He gave the Passover meal a new meaning. The loaf of bread and cup of wine represented his body soon to be sacrificed and his blood soon to be shed. And so he instituted the Lords Supper. After singing a hymn they went to the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed in agony, knowing what lay ahead of him.

FRIDAY Crucifixion

Matt. 27:166; Mark 15:147; Luke 22:6623:56; John 18:2819:37

Following betrayal, arrest, desertion, false trials, denial, condemnation, beatings, and mockery, Jesus was required to carry his cross to The Place of the Skull, where he was crucified with two other prisoners.

FRIDAY afternoon, SATURDAY, SUNDAY morning In the Tomb

Jesus body was placed in the tomb before 6:00 p.m. Friday night, when the Sabbath began and all work stopped, and it lay in the tomb throughout the Sabbath.

SUNDAY Resurrection

Matt. 28:113; Mark 16:120; Luke 24:149; John 20:131

Early in the morning, women went to the tomb and found that the stone closing the tombs entrance had been rolled back. An angel told them Jesus was alive. Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene in the garden, to Peter, to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, and later that day to all the disciples but Thomas. His resurrection was established as a fact.

Jesus, Gods Solution

Jesus took our sins, grief, and sorrows upon himself and brought them down into the grave with him. Just as Jesus rose to newness of life, God gives a new life to those who trust in him. Therefore, his death and resurrection allow us to begin a special relationship with the Lord Jesus. Confess him with your mouth and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead. This faith may be expressed to God through heartfelt prayer, like the one below: