Passover preparations were beginning and the streets of Jerusalem were packed with people. Some had traveled great distances to celebrate the Passover in the holy city.

As the crowds gathered on the streets, they witnessed the fulfillment of Zechariah’s Scripture: “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion, Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” Zechariah 9:9 As devout Jews witnessed Jesus riding into the city on a colt, they rejoiced and shouted,

“Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest.”

To the crowd, Jesus was the prophesied Savior, who would deliver them from Roman rule and establish the kingdom they wanted. However, Jesus came to save their souls from the deceit of the devil, their spiritual enemy.

As the week continued, Jesus fulfilled the work His Father had prepared for Him, not the military coup the masses envisioned. He overthrew the money changers on the temple steps because they lined their pockets with money from those who could not provide animals for the expected sacrifices. His Father’s house was to be kept holy.

“It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you make it a den of robbers.”

Matthew 21:13

Knowing that the crowds would turn on Him by the end of the week, Jesus remained faithful, pouring words into His disciples that would carry them through the terrifying moments that lay ahead. He continued healing those in need and preaching about God’s kingdom that would be coming.

Wednesday drew Jesus closer to His time of suffering. Mary, the disciple who sat at Jesus feet, had listened carefully to His words and understood He would have to die. With a heart of love for her Messiah, she annointed Him with expensive perfume–a preparation for His burial. At the same time, the devil stirred Judas’ heart. A man eager for world position and wealth, Judas began plotting a way to turn Jesus over to the chief priests for money.

On Thursday preparations began for the Passover Meal. Jesus instructed the disciples to approach a certain man regarding the use of his upper room for this meal. A last meal to be shared with those who would carry on His mission after He left. We call this Holy Thursday–the day of the Last Supper. In an Upper Room, Jesus gathered with His disciples before the events leading up to His crucifixion. As they reclined around the Passover table, Jesus took unleavened bread, blessed it “broke it and gave it to the disciples, saying,

‘Take, eat: this is my body.’ And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink of it all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.'”

Matthew 26:26-28

I like the way Susan Downs puts it in her “Maundy Thursday” devotion for Guideposts’ “Mornings with Jesus.” “Humanity had proven itself incapable of keeping the old law. So, Christ willingly instituted a new covenant of redemption–through His blood.”

After dinner, Jesus troubled in spirit as He contemplated the agonizing hours ahead, went to the garden of Gethsemane. He cried out to His Father to let the cup of suffering pass, yet not as He willed but according to the Father’s will.

A dark night followed. One of His disciples, Judas, had sold Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. Soldiers dragged Jesus off to a mock trial. Peter, who said he would remain faithful to Jesus, denied Him three times. The crowd preferred to set a murderer free and have Jesus crucified. He was beaten and a crown of thorns driven into His skull. Barely able to stand under the weight of the cross and the pain of the flogging, Jesus stumbled as he walked to Golgotha where soldiers nailed His hands and feet to a cross and pierced His side.

His blood poured out for the forgiveness of our sins. The innocent Lamb of God led to slaughter for the salvation of all mankind–for all who believe in Him.

If the story ended here, we would be left hopeless. But Sunday is coming!

On that glorious Sunday, the stone which secured the grave where Jesus laid was rolled away. Looking inside the tomb, Peter found the face linen which had wrapped His head, folded and placed on the stone. The cloth which had wrapped His body was just laid aside, not folded. Jesus had risen from the dead and appeared to His disciples that evening (John 20:19-23 and John 21:13). They had gathered together out of fear that the authorities would come for them next. Jesus appearance brought them peace and reassurance.

Jesus is risen from the dead. No more to die. Our sins are paid for.

Will you accept Him as your Savior? When He returns, He will take all who have placed their faith and trust in Him to heaven to live with Him, the Father, and the Holy Spirit.

Contact me and I’ll pray for you to have the peace of Jesus that passes understanding.

From My Heart to Yours,

Janis

Photo Credits: Holy Week by www. latestly.com; Last Supper photo by catholiccallyear.com; Garden Tom by cgicanada.org