The week leading up to Easter is often referred to as “Holy Week.” I would guess that many people know about Good Friday and Easter Sunday, but I think the days leading up to that are less familiar to people. The timeline of Holy Week that I have laid out is just one interpretation of the events that happened. However, what is not debatable is the fact that Jesus died, was buried, and rose again.
Palm Sunday
(Matthew 2:7-11, Mark 1:6-10, Luke 19:35-44, John 12:12-19)
On this day of Holy Week, Jesus arrived in Jerusalem. He approached the city riding a colt. Many people heard about Jesus’ arrival into Jerusalem and gathered in the streets to greet him. They even took off their coats and laid palm branches down onto the ground to make a pathway for Jesus to ride into town on. This event is also sometimes referred to as the “Triumphal Entry.” Jesus was greeted on this day as someone of great importance, even a king. It’s amazing to me how quickly the opinions of the crowd will change in just a few days.
Monday
(Matthew 21:12-13)
On this day of Holy Week, it is believed that Jesus went to visit the temple. While there, he saw that there were many merchants outside of the temple selling animals for sacrifice along with other things. Jesus grew so angry at the sight of this that he overturned tables and even chased people around with a whip. Jesus said, “My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of robbers.” This is a story that isn’t always taught often because people like to paint Jesus as a meek and gentle man. Jesus got angry too, and there is nothing wrong with that.
Tuesday
(Matthew 21:23-23:39, Mark 11:27-12:44, Luke 20:1-21:4)
It is believed that on Tuesday of Holy Week, Jesus goes to the temple to teach and debate. Jesus is asked many questions, and he teaches many parables. There are many things to be learned from these teachings, so it would probably be more beneficial for you to read these on your own time.
Wednesday
(Matthew 26:14-16, Mark 14:10-11, Luke 22:3-6)
It seems to be that not much happens on Wednesday of Holy Week. I see this as the kind of quiet before the storm. However, it is believed that on Wednesday of Holy Week is the day when Judas made an agreement with the chief priests to help them arrest Jesus. Judas, seemingly such a committed follower of Jesus Christ, decided that 30 pieces of silver seemed like a good enough reason to betray a man he once called Lord.
Maundy Thursday
(Matthew 26:20-75, Mark 14:17-72, Luke 22:14-62, John 13:1-18:27)
On Thursday of Holy Week, Jesus celebrates Passover with his disciples. This meal is now sometimes referred to as “The Last Supper.” During the meal, Jesus (in poetic fashion, of course) explains to his disciples that he will be betrayed and killed that very night. He tells them of the great sacrifice he is about to make. After dinner, Jesus takes his disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane. In this garden, Jesus asks some of his disciples to pray and he departs to pray on his own. He prays that God would make another way to provide a sacrifice, but ends with, “Not my will, but Yours be done.” Once he is finished praying, Jesus is betrayed by Judas and arrested. All of the disciples flee, but Peter follows carefully behind. Jesus is put on trial by the Jewish officials, which lasts all night. While he is on trial, Peter is questioned three times about his relationship with Jesus to which he responds, “I do not know Him.” Jesus is completely abandoned.
Good Friday
(Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23, John 18-19)
After Jesus is tried all night by the Jewish officials, he goes to be tried by the Roman official, Pontius Pilate. Pilate orders Jesus to be flogged. After this, Pilate gives the citizens at the trial the choice between Jesus and a criminal named Barabbas. The citizens choose Barabbas and yell that Jesus should be crucified. So Jesus is crucified. There are many details about this than can be shared, but perhaps you should read those for yourselves. It is believed that Jesus died around noon that day. Immediately following his death, there was darkness and an earthquake. During the earthquake, the veil to the holiest part of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The payment for sin was atoned. A man named Joseph offered his tomb for Jesus to be buried in. Sabbath was quickly approaching though, so Jesus had to be buried rather quickly.
Saturday
Saturday of Holy Week happens to be the Sabbath day for the Jewish people. Because of this, there is not much known about what happened on this day. It can be assumed that the disciples and followers of Jesus were very afraid and even hiding. The followers of Jesus were afraid for their own lives after they had seen what happened to the man they followed.
Resurrection Sunday
(Matthew 28:1-15; Mark 16:1-8, Luke 24:1-12, John 20:1-18)
Early in the morning, women came to the tomb where Jesus was buried only to find that the tomb was empty. An angel appeared to them saying that Jesus had been resurrected. The women rushed to tell the disciples, and Peter and John go to the tomb to see for themselves. Jesus had truly been resurrected. Over the next few days, Jesus appeared to many people, including the disciples and the women who followed him. After this, Jesus ascended into heaven to the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:2).