Walking with Jesus through Holy Week

Story carries with it an innate ability to impact us as human beings, especially when we tap into the potential of our imagination. I am coming to have an increased appreciation for the place of imagination in our spirituality as part of the means by which we connect with God. The gospels are essentially story-telling (with a purpose) and they each devote the largest share to telling the story of Holy Week, the last week plus one day of Jesus' life.

Today we begin that week with the events of Palm Sunday, most notably Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem riding on a colt. It is a powerful image that certainly feeds the imagination, especially so with young children, maybe even the 'child' within each of us. But I want to encourage you to use the whole of this week as a way of reconnecting with Jesus and hopefully coming to a profound appreciation for what he accomplished for us. I've laid out the events of the week day by day to help in this process (thanks to Michael Wilkins for this). I would invite you to use this template to re-tell and reconnect with the story in your families and friendships each day. Us your own words or the words of Scripture provided. Let it lead to contemplation, commiseration and celebration at different times.

Events of Holy Week

Arrival in Bethany (John 12:1)

Saturday

• Evening celebration, Mary anoints Jesus (John 12:2-8; cf. Matt 26:6-13)

Sunday

• Triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Matt 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-10; John 12:12-18)
• Jesus surveys the temple area (Mark 11:11)
• Return to Bethany (Matt 21:17; Mark 11:11)
  

Monday

• Cursing the fig tree on way to Jerusalem (Matt 21:18-22; cf. Mark 11:12-14)
• Clearing the temple (Matt 21:12-13; Mark 11:15-17)
• Miracles and challenges in the temple (Matt 21:14-16; Mark 11:18)
• Return to Bethany (Mark 11:19)

Tuesday

• Reaction to cursing the fig tree on the way back to Jerusalem (Matt 21:20-22; Mark 11:20-21)
• Debates with religious leaders in Jerusalem and teaching in the temple (Matt 21:23-23:39; Mark 11:27-12:44)

Wednesday

• 'Silent Wednesday' - Jesus and disciples remain in Bethany for last time of fellowship
• Judas returns alone to Jerusalem to make arrangements for the betrayal (Matt 26:14-16; Mark 14:10-11)

Thursday

• Preparations for Passover (Matt 26:17-19; Mark 14:12-16)

After sundown:

• Passover meal and Last Supper (Matt 26:20-35; Mark 14:17-26)
• Upper room discourse (John 13-17)
• Prayers in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matt 26:36-46; Mark 14:32-42)

Friday
Sometime perhaps after midnight:

• Betrayal and arrest (Matt 26:47-56; Mark 14:43-52)
• Jewish trial-Jesus appears in three phases in front of:

1. Annas (John 18:13-24)
2. Caiaphas and partial Sanhedrin (Matt 26:57-75;Mark 14:53-65)
3. Sanhedrin fully assembled (perhaps after sunrise) (Matt 27:1-2; Mark 15:1)

• Roman trial-Jesus appears in three phases before:

1. Pilate (Matt 27:2-14; Mark 15:2-5)
2. Herod Antipas (Luke 23:6-12)
3. Pilate (Matt 27:15-26; Mark 15:6-15)

• Crucifixion (approx 9:00am to 3:00pm) (Matt 27:27-66; Mark 15:16-39)

Sunday

• Resurrection witnesses (Matt 28:1-8; Mark 16:1-8, Luke 24:1-12)
• Resurrection appearances (Matt 28:9-20; Luke 24:13-53; John 20-21)

Wilkins talks about how the practice of walking with Jesus through Holy Week serves five important functions in his life:

1. It solidifies the historical foundation of our Christian worldview
2. We understand the disciples more clearly
3. We are held under conviction of our responsibilities as Jesus' disciples
4. The experience of these events impels us to more sincere worship
5. We are drawn into a more intimate relationship with Jesus

I hope you can join me on the 'walk' this week . . .