In the week preceding up to Easter, Christians observe Holy Week, the most solemn week of the Christian year, in which they recall Jesus’ final week on earth. Beginning on Palm Sunday, Holy Week is in full swing.
What did Jesus do the Week Before his Crucifixion?
On Saturday and Sunday
Jesus arrived in Bethany six days before Passover, a week before his crucifixion, as he made his way toward Jerusalem.
As recently as this weekend, he was anointed by a lady who Jesus said was “prepar[ing] me for burial” in the home of Simon the leper (Matthew 26:12).
Despite their lack of comprehension, Jesus told his disciples that his moment of death was drawing near.
As a result, a large crowd gathered in Bethany to see Jesus’ appearance. During Jesus’ final week on earth before he was crucified, he spoke words of encouragement and inspiration.
On Monday
In fulfillment of Zechariah 9:9, Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey the next day, regarded as his “triumphal entry.”
His lowly beginnings didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the crowd. The end of the world has arrived in Jerusalem with this arrival.
Afterward, Jesus made his way back to Bethany after his time in Jerusalem. Passover lambs were chosen on Nisan 10, the 10th day of the Hebrew month.
On this day, Jesus portrayed himself as Israel’s Paschal lamb, who would soon take away the sins of the world, by making his way into Jerusalem.
On Tuesday
Jesus cursed the fig tree on the road from Bethany to Jerusalem as a warning about the dangers of spiritual inertia” (Matthew 21:19).
A warning against dishonest and deceptive spiritual activities, he attacked the Temple’s practice of selling on the premises.
That nightfall, some of the religious authorities began plotting to assassinate him, so Jesus departed from Jerusalem and returned to Bethany.
While preparing for his death and Passover, Jesus reminded his followers and the world that the path of faith is a unique one.
On Wednesday
The disciples noticed a withered fig tree on their route to Jerusalem, and Jesus reminded them of the importance of their faith (Matthew 21:21).
In Jerusalem, the religious authorities questioned Jesus’ authority when he arrived. Still, Jesus made his way to the Mount of Olives that afternoon.
He spoke of the end of the era in parables and used metaphors to teach. It was not just a foretaste of the devastation to come but also a promise of his return (Matthew 24:6).
He warned his followers, who had no idea what he was talking about, to be on the lookout.
It was also on this day two days earlier that Jesus predicted that he would be executed at Passover. With the help of the religious authorities, Judas devised a plot to betray Jesus.
Jesus was aware of the heightened tension, but he continued to teach and serve despite it.
On Thursday
The Passover lamb was prepared by Jesus and his disciples, and they had the seder feast together. As Jesus spoke to them, he prayed for them and prayed with them.
They arrived at the Garden of Gethsemane after lunch. His closest disciples continued falling asleep despite Jesus’ agonizing wait for what was to come.
It didn’t take Jesus long to realize how much he would achieve on the cross would outweigh his current pain and anguish.
In the wee hours of the morning, Jesus was betrayed and taken into custody. Annas, then Caiaphas, and then other religious leaders tried him.
He was humiliated, disgraced, and made into a laughing spectacle because he was separated from God.
On Friday
As dawn broke, Jesus was brought before Pilate and the Sanhedrin for his final trial before Herod Antipas and Pilate again.
He was beaten and tortured. Jesus was crucified at nine in the morning, died at three in the afternoon, and was buried that night.
The Temple curtain was split in two by the darkening sky.
Passover lambs were being killed during the time of Jesus’ death, fulfilling the prophecies of the Old Testament. All of humankind’s sin, cruelty, and alienation from God was placed on his shoulders.
On Saturday
The Pharisees hired Roman guards to keep an eye on Jesus’ tomb on the Sabbath.
On Sunday
Isn’t it amazing that Jesus was resurrected on Sunday? In the end, Mary Magdalene and another Mary went to Jesus’ tomb and found him missing.
They were told that he had risen by an angel! When Jesus was resurrected on the first day after the Sabbath, it was a form of firstfruits offering.
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