– Rev. Rafael Martinez, Pastor of Gibson Memorial United Methodist Church
The last week in the human life of Jesus Christ is known as Holy Week. The week of his death, burial, and resurrection is a time when all Christians around the world prepare to celebrate with joy the sacrifice of Christ, the final defeat of sin, and the resurrection.
SUNDAY “Jesus goes to Jerusalem” [Luke 19:28-44]
On Palm Sunday, Jesus triumphantly enters Jerusalem riding a humble donkey that he has borrowed, and the people begin to acclaim him. “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, Hosanna in the highest!” This was the way important people were received, and they did it with Jesus because many Jews believed that he was the Messiah the prophets had spoken of. It was at this moment that the Pharisees who were present told Jesus to silence his disciples and followers, and Jesus answered them: “I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would cry out.” When he arrived near the city, looking at it from afar, I wept for it and prophesied its destruction. After he entered the city, he went to the temple, but since it was already late, he went to Bethany to spend the night. [Mark 11:11]
MONDAY
Early Monday morning, when they go to Jerusalem, Jesus feels hungry, and it is the moment when he curses the fig tree that had no fruit. [Mark 11:12-14]. Then he continues to the temple, whose courtyard was converted into a market full of cattle, pigeons, and tables of money changers. Taking a whip, he drives out all those who bought and sold there, saying: “It is written My house will be called a house of prayer.” [Matthew 21:12-17]
TUESDAY
Apparently, Jesus returned to Bethany to sleep that night, and early Tuesday, when they returned to Jerusalem, they passed by the fig tree that Jesus cursed the day before. The tree was completely withered. [Mark 11:20-26]. The rest of the day, Jesus spends around the temple teaching and preaching. Some priests, scribes, and elders try to test him, looking for a reason to accuse him before the Roman authorities. [Luke 20:1-8] In the rest of chapters 20 and 21 of Luke, we find the teachings that Jesus gives during this day and possibly on Wednesday as well. At night during dinner in Bethany, Jesus is anointed with a very expensive perfume by one of the Marys. [Mark 14:1-9]
WEDNESDAY
We do not have clear descriptions of what Jesus did on Wednesday. Some think that he rested. Others prefer to think that he continued teaching and preaching around the temple. But this day is when Judas agrees to betray Jesus for money. [Luke 22:3-6]
THURSDAY
In the celebration of the Passover feast, where Jesus institutes the celebration of the Lord’s Supper, Jesus shares with His disciples: “This is My body that is delivered for you… this is My blood shed for you…” [Luke 22:7-23] During the celebration, Jesus humbly washes the feet of the disciples. He also announces the betrayal at the hands of one of them without revealing the name: “…one of you is going to betray me”, speaking of Judas. Near the end of the meal, Jesus also predicts Peter’s denial. “… Truly, I assure you that before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times!” [John 13:38] After dinner, they go to the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prays intensely while the disciples sleep. Jesus prays in agony: “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; but not my will, but yours be done.” [Luke 22:39-46]. A few minutes later, Judas arrives with a crowd armed with swords and clubs. Judas hands Jesus over, using a kiss as the signal to be taken as a prisoner. [Matthew 26:47-56]. Tonight, Jesus is arrested and taken to the high priest’s palace, where he is questioned by the Jewish council. [Matthew 26:57-68]. That night before dawn, Peter denies knowing Jesus three times as Jesus had predicted. [Matthew 26:69-75].
FRIDAY
Judas returns to the religious leaders: “I have sinned and given up innocent blood.” He throws away the money, runs away, and hangs himself. [Matthew 27:3-10] Jesus is presented before Pilate and Herod; neither of the two governors finds fault in Him, but Jesus is mocked, beaten, and the crowd shouts: “CRUCIFY HIM!” [Luke 23:1-25] Pilate gives the crowd a choice: release Barabbas (a murderer) or release Jesus (who was found not guilty of any crime). The crowd chooses to release Barabbas, so Pilate hands Jesus over to them to be crucified. They put a cloak and a crown of thorns on Jesus’ head. The crowd mocks Jesus. “Hail, king of the Jews!” They beat and spit on him, placing the cross on his back as they led him to Calvary. [Matthew 27:15-26].
On Calvary, they nail Jesus to the cross and place him between two thieves who have a conversation with Jesus. One of them says: “We are justly punished… but this man has not done anything wrong”. He asks Jesus: “remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus replies: “I assure you that today you will be with me in paradise.” [Luke 23:39-43] At noon, darkness falls over the land and remains for three hours while Jesus is crucified. [Mark 15:33] Jesus exclaims: “My God, why have you forsaken me?” He is given wine to drink, bows his head, and with his last breath says: “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” [Luke 23:46] Instantly, the curtain in the sanctuary of the temple (which separated God’s people) is torn in two. The earth trembles, the rocks split, and the graves open. [Matthew 27:51] Seeing these things, the centurion and those who were with Jesus were afraid, and they exclaimed: “Surely this man was the Son of God!” [Matthew 27:54] Before dark (prior to the beginning of Sabbath), a man named Joseph asks for the body of Jesus. They wrap him in a cloth and put him in a tomb where no one has yet been laid. [Luke 23:53]
SATURDAY
It is the Sabbath, but they send guards to the tomb because they remember the words of Jesus: “After three days, I will rise again.” [Matthew 27:62-66]
SUNDAY
But the story does not end here …
For 40 days, Jesus appears to many. He instructs his disciples: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…” [Matthew 28:19-20]
“After the Lord Jesus spoke with them, he was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.” [Mark 16:19] Angels then appear to the disciples to assure them that Jesus will return again! [Acts 1:10-11]
The work of Jesus on the cross was for YOU. Your sins have been forgiven. Let his story live in your heart and inspire you to share this good news.