Jesus started the week before the crucifixion knowing that there had never been a week like this nor would there ever be another. The five-day period was full of significant events, millions of unrecorded thoughts and emotions that cannot be described by any human. The Sunday before the crucifixion finds Jesus entering Jerusalem riding on a donkey. The King of Kings chooses a donkey rather than a royal mount to humble himself before the people. Matthew 21:5 tells us he was greeted by people that covered his path with fresh-cut palm leaves. These same people irritated the Pharisees by proclaiming Jesus as being the Son of God.
Monday finds Jesus having a very busy day, traveling between Jerusalem and Bethany according to John 12:1-11. While traveling he came upon a fig tree in full leaf and went to pick a fig, but found no fruit. Jesus cursed the tree and it withered. This action had more meaning than just Jesus being disappointed that he found no fruit. This action was for the benefit of those traveling with him. He was using the fig tree as an object lesson comparing the fruitless tree to the Pharisees who claim to be religious leaders. Like the fruitless tree, they are hypocrites in that they too live fruitless lives. On this Monday Jesus also had time to clean up the temple and to respond to critics that questioned his true authority.
The next day Jesus and those traveling with him again passed the fig tree again. Jesus took this opportunity to give a sermon on the need for faith. Having faith shows God that we trust God in every way including trusting His faithfulness, His promises, and all that is related to God’s appeal and existence.
Wednesday is a very sad day and the beginning of the actions that lead to the death of Jesus. On Wednesday, Judas makes arrangements to sell out Jesus This day is called Spy Wednesday, Good Wednesday, and Holy Wednesday in different parts of the world. The use of the word “good” is a substitute for the word “God” There is nothing good about the betrayal of Jesus. The Chief Priest paid Judas thirty pieces of silver. The silver in those coins would be worth about $197 in today’s value.
On Thursday the disciples gathered and Jesus established a ceremony known as the Eucharist. The Eucharist is defined as the sacrament of Holy Communion, the sacrifice of the Mass, or the Lord’s Supper. Communion is a verb, being part of being in Communion with the saints, while Eucharist is a noun, the person of Jesus. This Thursday is referred to as Maundy Thursday. The word maundy comes from the Latin word for “command”. Jesus’s commandment to the disciples is to “Love one another as I have loved you.” At the Last Supper Jesus washed the disciples’ feet, developed the ceremony of communion by breaking bread and declaring it as his body, and drinking wine representing his blood. This is where Jesus announces that one of the disciples will betray him. Later that night Judas takes the betrayers to the Garden of Gethsemane to surrender Jesus to the authorities. Many of the events of Maundy Thursday have become the central element of the Christian church.
Friday is the day of crucifixion is generally called Good Friday. It is also known as Black Friday, Great Friday, and Holy Friday. Again, the use of the word good is probably the corrupted use of the word God. It also can be said that “Good Friday” is used because Jesus God demonstrated his love and conviction for man by giving his life to forgive our sins. Good Friday is the day of suffering and death on the cross for Jesus. Good Friday is a day of horror, penance, fasting, sorrow, and unimaginable pain.
Saturday known as Holy Saturday is the end of Lent and is referred to as Easter Vigil. The Holy Saturday, the final day before the resurrection is associated with Jesus’ triumphant descent into hell. Ephesians 4:9 1 Peter 4:6 alludes to Jesus visiting hell to rescue the souls of the righteous, such as Adam and Eve, and to proclaim his victory over sin, death, and the devil to the saints who had died before him.
The culmination of Holy Week ends on Easter Sunday. Easter Sunday surpasses all religious holidays and is without doubt the most important day in the history of the world. According to the Gospels, Jesus came out of the grave on the third day after the crucifixion. This event forms the foundation of all Christian religions and forms all Christian doctrines. Critics will argue that Friday to Sunday is not three days as stated in the Bible. But to understand a person has to understand how the Jews of the period counted days. The phrases “in three days” and “after three days” are used in different places in the Bible. Friday at sunset would be day one. Saturday would be day two, and Easter Sunday would be three which agrees with the Biblical account and the gospels. Mary Magdalene went to visit his tomb and the stone at the tomb’s entrance had been rolled away and the tomb was empty. Jesus made five appearances on resurrection day. Mary Madelene saw Jesus at the tomb. Then Mary mother of James, Salome, and Joanna saw Jesus on the road to the tomb, later Jesus appeared to James before appearing to two of the disciples on the Emmaus Road. Late in the afternoon, Jesus appeared before all the disciples except Thomas in the upper room where the last supper had been held. Thomas had to wait eight days before seeing Jesus in their home. Easter is also referred to by some dominations as Resurrection Sunday celebrates Jesus Christ rising from the dead. This event has been celebrated around the world since the day it occurred.
First Peter 1:3 states, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy, he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” First Corinthians 15:21 confirms by stating, “For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man.”