Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a LIVING HOPE through the resurrection of JESUS CHRIST from the dead 1 Peter 1:3 (Read Full Chapter)

In the Christian Church, Holy Week (or Passion Week) is recognized as the week from Palm Sunday to Easter. Luke 9:51 tells us when the time had come for Jesus to be taken back up to Heaven, He steadfastly set His face like flint to go to Jerusalem and accomplish His purpose. For He came to earth to seek and save the lost. (Luke 19:10)

For Easter, I have gathered Bible Verses here to piece together a Holy Week Timeline so we can walk through Jesus’ last week on earth together. 

Easter – Holy Week Timeline

Palm Sunday – Jesus is on His way to Jerusalem, for He knows the time had come to lay His life down for the sins of the whole world. He sends two disciples on up ahead and tells them they would find a donkey colt tied near the entrance to a village and instructs them to bring Him this colt.

They throw their cloaks on the colt for Jesus to ride it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others have palm branches they had cut in the fields.

Luke 19:37 says: “When He came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in Heaven and glory in the highest!”

When the Pharisees tell Jesus to rebuke His followers, I love our Lord’s response:

“”I tell you,” Jesus replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” (Luke 19:40 NIV)

Fulfilling the ancient prophecy found in Zechariah 9:9, Jesus’ triumphal entry can be found in all four Gospels … Matthew 21:1-11 , Mark 11:1-11 , Luke 19:28-44 and John 12:12-19.

Upon entering Jerusalem, Jesus drives out money changers and people who were selling animals at the Temple.

Foreign travelers came long distances to celebrate the Passover. But to be able to worship, they needed a perfect animal to sacrifice and temple coins that would be acceptable to local merchants. Therefore, Jesus felt that His Father’s House of Prayer had become a den of robbers.  Matthew 21:12-17 , Mark 11:15-19 , Luke 19:45-48, John 2:13-17

Monday of Holy Week 

Jesus curses the fig tree and teaches His Disciples about faith in Matthew 21:18-22. The significance of this story is the fig tree resembled the people of Israel, who were in a covenant relationship with God. They appeared on the outside to be following and observing His law. But in reality, they lacked faith and, like the fig tree, had produced no fruit. 

TUESDAY OF HOLY WEEK

Jesus and His disciples pass the withered fig tree. Once again, Jesus takes this opportunity to teach them about faith. (Mark 11:20-26). The religious leaders challenge Jesus’ authority at the temple, hoping to arrest Him (Matthew 21:23-32 , Luke 20:1-21:36). But Jesus escapes their attempts to trap Him.

Then that afternoon, Jesus and his Disciples go over to the Mount of Olives where Jesus teaches about the end times. (Matthew Chapter 24 , Mark Chapter 13 , Luke 21:5-36)

WEDNESDAY OF HOLY WEEK 

It is speculated that Jesus may have spent the day resting in Bethany, perhaps at the home of His friends Mary and Martha. In addition, it is believed Judas agreed to betray Jesus on this day, which is sometimes referred to as “Spy Wednesday.” Matthew 26:14-16, Luke 22:1-6 

HOLY THURSDAY 

Jesus sends Peter and John ahead to Jerusalem to prepare for the Passover Feast.

The upper room had great significance in God’s heart, a Holy meeting place for His Son to meet with His disciples in preparation for all that was to come.  (Matthew 26:17-19 , Mark 14:12-16 , Luke 22:7-13).

After sunset, Jesus washes His disciples’ feet as they prepare to share the Passover meal. (John 13:3-11)

Feet washing was looked down upon as a lowly duty. So Jesus, on the last evening of His earthly life, took time to wash His disciples’ feet and taught them a very important lesson about love.

Then during the Passover Meal, Jesus predicts one of His disciples will betray Him. (Matthew 26:20-25 , Mark 14:17-21 , Luke 22:21-23 , John 13:18-30).

Jesus establishes the ‘Lord’s Supper’ or ‘Communion’, asking His followers to always remember His sacrifice by partaking of bread (His body) and wine (His blood). (Matthew 26:26-29 ,  Mark 14:22-25 ,  Luke 22:14-20) . In the early Church, this was also called the “Eucharist,” or “Giving of thanks”. The Lord’s Supper signifies and seals for all Believers the New Covenant in Jesus.

Then Jesus predicts Peter’s denial in (Matthew 26:31-35 ,  Mark 14:27-31 , Luke 22:31-34 , and John 13:36-38) . 

Jesus and His disciples walk to the Garden of Gethsemane.

There Jesus prays in anguish to His Father in Heaven and Scripture records that He sweat drops of blood.  (Matthew 26:36-46 , Mark 14:32-42 , and Luke 22:39-46).

Judas betrays Jesus with a kiss and our Lord is arrested by the Sanhedrin. Peter strikes the servant of the High Priest and cuts his ear off with his sword. Jesus’ Disciples desert Him. (Matthew 26:47-56 , Mark 14:43-50 , and Luke 22:47-53) .

Jesus is treated like a common criminal and is taken to the home of the High Priest where the entire council is gathered to accuse Jesus. (Matthew 26:57-68 , Mark 14:53-65) The Jewish Religious Leaders hold an illegal trial on the night of Passover. They wanted to find witnesses to build a case against Jesus. Many witnesses were found but no one could agree on their testimonies. Finally two men came forward claiming to have heard Jesus say that He would throw down the temple made by hands and build another not made by hands. (Mark 14:58)

Meanwhile, the Disciples have fled but Simon Peter came close to listen in on what was happening to his Lord. His heart is filled with fear and he denies ever knowing Jesus three times before the rooster crowed at sunrise. (Matthew 26:69-75 , Mark 14:66-72 , and Luke 22:54-62).

GOOD FRIDAY

Judas was seized with remorse early Friday morning and tries to return the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders prior to hanging himself. (Matthew 27:3-10)

At the urging of the crowd, Pontius Pilate releases a notorious prisoner named Barabbas instead of Jesus. He has Jesus beaten and delivered to be crucified. Taken to Golgotha, The Place of the Skull, Jesus is nailed to a cross between two thieves. From a distance, the cross looks like it’s impaling a skull.

Jesus yields up His Spirit. The veil in the Temple is torn in two from top to bottom. The earth quakes and the rocks split. Jesus is wrapped in a clean linen cloth and buried in Joseph’s tomb. A large stone was rolled against the door of the tomb. (Matthew 27:31-66 , Mark 15:21-47 , Luke 23:26-56 and John 19:16-42).

HOLY WEEK SATURDAY 

Roman Soldiers guard the tomb where Jesus’ body lay. Sabbath ends at 6:00 pm and Jesus’ is prepared for burial with spices brought by Mary Magdalene, Mary the Mother of James, and Salome. Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea were both members of the Sanhedrin and were secret followers of Jesus. They both were very deeply affected by Jesus’ death and cared for His body that Saturday. (Matthew 27:62-66 , Luke 23:55-56 , and John 19:40) 

RESURRECTION SUNDAY

These same women discover early Sunday morning that the large stone covering the entrance to the tomb was rolled away.

An Angel announces to them “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, Who was crucified. He is not here; He has risen, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay.” (Matthew 28:1-13 , Mark 16:1-14 , Luke 24:1-49 , and John 20:1-23).

Jesus’ resurrection is the cornerstone of our Christian Faith.

ALL our doctrine, theology and beliefs rest on this epic event. Jesus remained incredibly focused on what He came to do, to give His life as a ransom for you and me.

I know many of us have some serious things we are dealing with during these uncertain times. But I hope we can turn our focus onto Jesus this week. Sweet friend, when Jesus went to the cross, He saw you. And He saw me. He loves us so much and gave His life so He wouldn’t have to spend eternity without us.

Lets spend time in His presence this week and thank Him for all He has personally done for us … ❤

Live Loved this Easter …

Easter – Holy Week Timeline @ freshgracefortoday.com

“I AM the Resurrection and the Life. Anyone who believes in Me will live, even after dying.” John 11:25  

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