From the people’s adoration of Jesus on Palm Sunday to their overwhelming rejection of Him on Good Friday, Holy Week is filled with important events as detailed in the Gospels. Please read through this brief rundown, concentrating on the scripture, and feel free to focus your time where God leads. Please see our posts Prepare Your Body and Prepare your Soul for more ideas.
Holy Week Synopsis
- Palm Sunday. Jesus is welcomed to Jerusalem by adoring crowds on Palm Sunday. Matthew 21:1-11
- Holy Monday. Jesus throws out the money changers from the Temple in Jerusalem. cleansing the temple. Matthew 21:12-16
- Holy Tuesday. Jesus teaches parables in the temple, including the Parable of the Tenants (also called the Parable of the VIneyard). Jesus uses this story to chide the chief priests and the Pharisees (Matthew 21:33-45). The chief priests seek to arrest Jesus (Matthew 21:46).
- Holy Wednesday. The anointing of Jesus by Mary at Bethany. Judas speaks with the chief priests and promises to deliver Jesus over to them for 30 pieces of silver. From this point on, Judas looks for an opportunity to betray Jesus. Matthew 26:14-16
- Holy Thursday. Jesus celebrates Passover, the traditional seder meal, with the disciples. We refer to this final meal with His friends as The Last Supper. Matthew 26:17-30
- Good Friday. Jesus is betrayed by Judas, abandoned by the other disciples, and crucified. Upon His death, the curtain of the temple tears in two, from top to bottom. The earth quakes and the rocks split. Tombs open up, and many of the bodies of saints are raised and come out of their tombs! After Jesus’ Resurrection, they went into the Holy City and appeared to many. Jesus is buried. Matthew 26: 47- 27:53
- Holy Saturday. On this day the chief priests and the Pharisees gather before Pilate and, remembering that Jesus had said after three days He would rise again, they ask Pilate to order that the grave be secured so no one could try to steal Jesus’ body. They seal the stone and set a guard at the grave. Most likely, the disciples remain in hiding. It was also the Sabbath. Matthew 27:62-66
- Easter Sunday. A few women bravely journey to the tomb. While it’s a bit uncertain as to the exact women who were present, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of Jesus, and Mary, the wife of Clophus, were most likely there. A great earthquake occurs. A mighty angel of the Lord appears and rolls back the stone from the tomb. Jesus rises from the dead and appears to some of His followers! Matthew 28:1-15.
Questions
- Did you learn anything new about Holy Week from your reading?
- What events were you particularly drawn to?
Suggested Activities to Prepare for Holy Week and Easter
- Watch or listen to your favorite movie or retelling of the Easter story.
- Clean your home in preparation for Easter.
- Set aside a prayer time for repentance.
- Intercede for Christians celebrating Easter in countries where they are persecuted for their faith.
- Imagine you were one of the women who went to the tomb Easter morning. Write a poem, paint a picture, or interact with this scripture in another creative way.
- Plan your Easter dinner celebrations.
- Decorate your home for Easter.
- If you have children or grandchildren, color Easter eggs with them.
- Listen to your favorite Easter hymns and songs.
- Attend Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and/or Easter services.
Please add your suggestions for activities in the comment section. We’d love to hear how you will be celebrating. Have a blessed Holy Week and Easter!
