8:00AM - Passion Week

The Passion Week is the week starting from Palm Sunday reaching to Resurrection Sunday (Easter Sunday). It is called Passion Week because of the passion with which Jesus offered Himself to die on the cross to atone for the sins of humanity. 

Begin praying now that God would be at work in your heart as we journey through this week together. 

11:00AM - Triumphal Entry...Passion Week Begins

We call it Palm Sunday. On this day Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, fulfilling the prophecy  of the prophet Zechariah (see Zec. 9:9). The crowd welcomed him by waving palm branches, shouting ‘Hosanna’ and the words of Psalm 118:25-26.

This is the beginning of Passion Week - the most important week in human history. Interestingly, ‘passion’ comes from the Greek verb πασχω - meaning ‘to suffer’.

10:00AM - Driving out the vendors - teaching the people

Having spent the night in nearby Bethany, Jesus and his disciples head for the temple. On the way, Jesus finds a fig tree in leaf, but no fruit present. He curses the tree - symbolic of a people that are clearly enjoying nourishment but yielding no fruit. Upon entering the temple area, Jesus began driving out the vendors and others that were making a marketplace of God’s house. This was yet another reason the chief priests and teachers of the law looked for a way to kill him; but they feared Jesus “because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching.”

6:00PM - Monday Evening - staying in Bethany

On Monday evening Jesus stayed in Bethany again, probably in the home of his friends.  

The records of the events on Monday are found in Matthew 21:12–22, Mark 11:15–19, Luke 19:45-48, and John 2:13-17. 

10:00AM - Amazing the people - offending the religious leaders

Jesus returns to the temple to teach and preach. Along the way, the disciples noticed the fig tree withered from the roots. At the temple, the chief priests, teachers of the law and the elders continue their attempts to trap Jesus. Their desire was to kill Jesus, yet “they could not find a way to do it, because all the people hung on his words.”

1:00PM - Tuesday afternoon

In the afternoon, Jesus went with his disciples to the Mount of Olives, which overlooks Jerusalem. There, He gave the “Olivet Discourse” and prophesied about the destruction of Jerusalem and the end of world.    

Judas Iscariot plotted with the Sanhedrin to betray Jesus (Matthew 26:14-16).

The records of the events on Tuesday are found in Matthew 21:23–24:51, Mark 11:20–13:37, Luke 20:1–21:36, and John 12:20–38.

10:00AM - This is the middle of Passion Week

Tomorrow at twilight begins the historical ‘slaughter of the lambs at twilight’, which kicks off Passover. Historically, Good Friday was the most significant day in history. Stand by for a step-by-step description of events as if we were there. Exodus 12:1-6.

3:00PM - The real ‘passion’ begins tonight at twilight

This is Thursday of Passion Week. In first century Jerusalem, this is the mid-point of the first of three yearly festivals, of which Passover is a significant part; the Passover begins tonight at 6pm. Over the next 72 hours, Jesus will fulfill prophecy, redeem a lost world and create a path for restored relationship between man and God. The Jewish ‘beginning of the day’ occurs at 6pm (twilight). Most of the drama will begin at 6pm: the beginning of the Jewish Friday. Christians call this ‘Good Friday’.

6:00PM - The Lord’s Supper…’Good Friday’ begins

Exodus 12 instructs that the Passover lamb is to be “slaughtered at twilight” (6pm). The lamb forms the centerpiece of the Passover meal. Jesus took this meal with His disciples just after 6pm; we call it ‘The Lord’s Supper’. ‘Good Friday’ begins. Just prior to the meal, Jesus washes the disciples' feet as a model of servanthood. “One of you will betray me” … then Judas leaves the group, having already agreed to betray Christ. During the meal, Jesus redefines the Passover feast, explaining that He is ushering in the New Covenant described by God through the prophets Jeremiah and Ezekiel. “Take this bread and cup...my body and blood...do this in memory of Me.”

10:00PM - Heading to the Garden of Gethsemane

By now (10pm) the meal is over and Jesus and the disciples leave the upper room singing the hallel psalms (Psalms 115-118). They are heading back to the east away from Jerusalem across the valley to the Garden of Gethsemane.

12:00AM - Dark Night of the Soul

Jesus is experiencing anxiety while praying in the garden - even sweating blood. His disciples, after their Passover meal, are sleeping. “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me...yet, not my will but your will be done.” It was to be his Father’s will. Jesus embraced it with perfect obedience - for our redemption and his Father’s glory. Though finished on the cross, victory was won in the garden.

1:00AM - Betrayed by a Kiss

Judas Iscariot comes to the garden with a contingent of temple guards to arrest Jesus - the identifying sign is a kiss. “Who are you looking for?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they answered. Jesus said, “I am He.” When Jesus said, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground … (John 18:6). After reattaching the ear of a guard lopped off by Peter, Jesus leaves under arrest. Soon, He will endure three ‘trials’ by Jewish leaders and priests - all in violation of Jewish law mandating that trials be held in daylight. He will be accused and convicted of blasphemy - a crime punishable by death.

2:00AM - Rejected by Jews and Gentiles

Jesus has been mistreated and rejected by the Jewish leadership, and endured three ‘trials in darkness’. He has been convicted of blasphemy and sentenced to die. Unfortunately, the Jewish leaders lack the authority to execute; that power belongs only to Roman authorities, and “blasphemy” is not a capital offense to Rome. At first light, they will take Jesus to Pilate, change the charge from blasphemy to treason - a capital offense under Roman law - and request execution. Jesus will soon begin the next three trials...the ‘Gentile trials’: before Pilate...then Herod...then back to Pilate.

8:00AM - “Crucify him”

Pilate tries to avoid giving in to the mob whipped up by the Jewish leaders. Just five days earlier the people were crying “Hosanna” to this same man! Pilate orders Jesus flogged - which often results in death. By now, the Roman soldiers have mocked him with a crown of thorns - paying Jesus scornful homage. Last chance for a pardon...but the crowd chooses Barabbas for release instead of Jesus. Ironically, ‘Barabbas’ means ‘Son of the Father’. Jesus will be crucified - and he will carry his own cross beam to the place of execution outside the city: Golgatha. Jesus has now been rejected by Jew and Gentile.

9:00AM - 9am: Crucified

“It was the third hour when they crucified him” By Jewish time-keeping, the third hour is 9am. Jesus is now on the cross - hanging between two thieves. He who had no sin became sin to bear the iniquities of many.

10:00AM - 10am to noon: pain and mockery

The people hurl insults and mock him. Little do they know that David predicted their behavior and very words a thousand years earlier. Psalm 22: “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me…” The Psalmist describes the piercing of Jesus’ hands and feet, the casting of lots for his clothing and the insults hurled at him by those observing his pain and agony. Yet the Psalm concludes in victory, glory to God, and salvation to the nations.

12:00PM - Noon: Darkness

“At the sixth hour, darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour,” when Jesus dies at 3pm. Read Amos 8:9-10 and marvel! As in Egypt at the time of Moses and Pharaoh, the plague of darkness will precede the final plague: death of the firstborn son. This time, however, it is God’s son. This death occurs on the anniversary of the very plague that gave the children of Israel the feast of Passover: the blood of the lamb brings deliverance!

2:00PM - 2pm: the Father turns His back

Jesus is still on the cross. Darkness covers the land. The Roman executioners realize this is no ordinary darkness, and this is no ordinary criminal.

3:00PM - 3pm: Jesus breathes His last

3pm (the 9th hour) At 3pm, several things occur at once: Jesus: “It is finished.” He breathes his last and gives up his spirit. The earth shakes and rocks split. The Centurion praises God and exclaims, “Surely this was the Son of God!” Tombs open and the dead bodies of holy people are raised to life and appear to citizens of Jerusalem. The temple curtain is torn from top to bottom. The Creator God - in human form - dies naked on a cross.

3:30PM - Removing the Body

Now the Jewish leaders have a problem - the bodies of all three crucified men must come down off the crosses before sundown - Friday at 6:00pm - the beginning of one of the year’s most important Sabbaths. If a Jew touches a dead body on Sabbath, he or she is ‘unclean’ for the Sabbath. As well, an unusual Mosaic regulation found in Deut. 12:22-23 instructs that a body hung on a tree must come down before sundown. To speed up death, the legs of the crucified men are broken. Jesus, however, is already dead. Roman soldiers confirm this with a spear to Jesus’ side, and blood and water pour out. Joseph of Arimathea hurries to Pilate to ask for Jesus’ body, and - surprisingly - is given permission.

5:00PM - The Body is Buried and the Tomb is Sealed

By now Jesus’ body is off the cross. The Jewish leaders learn that the body of Jesus has been given to Joseph of Arimathea. They appeal to Pilate to seal the tomb and post a guard, and Pilate gives the order. Though Jesus’ disciples have long fled, the women have not. They cursorily wrap the body, lacking the customary oils and spices to complete the job before Sabbath restrictions apply. Sabbath restrictions - created by God - require that the women must return to finish the job on Sunday - after the Sabbath.

6:00PM - Good Friday is Complete

Good Friday is over and Sabbath begins. Jesus is in the tomb, which is sealed by a stone and guarded by Roman soldiers. Jesus predicted, “Like Jonah was in the belly of a fish three days, the Son of Man will be in the earth for three days.” The disciples are in hiding - probably wanted men. This day begins the feast that follows Passover: the Feast of Unleavened Bread, an agrarian celebration commemorating the ‘good seed’ that must go into the ground and die to yield a crop. Our ‘good seed’ is in the ground. The next feast, the Feast of First Fruits, begins Sunday, acknowledging God’s faithfulness to ‘bring in the crop’.

6:00AM - The women head to the tomb.

Sabbath ended at 6pm - 12 hours ago. The women are able to gather what they need to complete the burial rites. Jesus’ disciples are still in hiding, so the women will do it alone. Jesus has now been in the tomb 3 days (part of Friday, all of Saturday, and part of Sunday). When the women arrive at the tomb, the Roman guard is gone and the tomb is open. The women enter the tomb, but the body of Jesus is gone! Instead, they encounter an angel who tells them, “Why are you looking for the living among the dead? Jesus is not here, he has risen just as he said.” The women hurry back to tell the disciples - “afraid, yet filled with joy.” He is Risen - proof that his sacrifice was found acceptable to the Father.

7:00AM - What about the body?

By now, the Roman guards are meeting with Jewish leaders about their incredible experience with the angel who moved the stone - money is being paid, stories created. Remarkably, it seems the Jewish leaders believed the soldiers. The disciples, in contrast, did not believe the women who reported that the tomb was empty and that angels had spoken to them. Peter and John run to the tomb...it is open - the body is gone! It is now the Feast of First Fruits - celebrating the miracle of the seed: planted in the earth to die, so that it might grow and yield a bountiful crop.

8:30AM - He is Risen...He is risen indeed!

The disciples return to their homes, but Mary Magdalene stands outside the tomb crying. Jesus appears to her in a precious exchange, ultimately telling her: “I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” Through the course of this day and the days following, Jesus appears to his disciples and hundreds of others. Through his death and resurrection, all things are made new. He is risen… He is risen indeed!