As we approach Easter, it can be easy to focus only on the final moment; the resurrection. But the story is so much richer when we take the time to look at everything that led up to it. Today, we’re going to step back in time and walk through the final days of Jesus Christ’s life on earth, often known as Holy Week.
Day 1: Palm Sunday (Matthew 21:1–11)
The crowd was excited to see Jesus Christ because they had heard about His teachings and witnessed the powerful miracles He performed, including raising Lazarus. News about Him had spread quickly, and many people believed He was the long-awaited Messiah. As He entered Jerusalem, they welcomed Him with joy and hope, expecting that He would be the one to rescue them and bring change.
At the time, the Jewish people were living under Roman rule, so there was a strong desire for freedom. Many in the crowd believed Jesus would become a political king who would overthrow oppression and restore their nation. His humble entry on a donkey also fulfilled prophecy from the Book of Zechariah (Zechariah 9:9), which made the moment feel even more special and confirmed their expectations.
Day 2: Cleansing of the temple (Matthew 21:12–17)
Jesus entered the temple and drove out the money changers and merchants, condemning the corruption of a sacred place. He declared that the temple should be a house of prayer, not a “den of robbers.” This is the most visible and intense example of Jesus getting angry. We’ve seen how He reacts with faced with injustice and hypocrisy. He usually uses His words but this time around He was physically angry as well.
This scene reminds me of how we as Christians ought to stand up for our beliefs when others a mocking us. We are known as a religion of peace but that doesn’t mean we should allow our God to be disrespected.
Day 3: Teachings and future events (Matthew 21:23–24:51)
We see a series of events following the incident at the temple: Jesus cursed the fig tree for not bearing fruit, He continued teaching the crowd with different parables (parable of the two sons, parable of the tenants, parable of the wedding banquet); He answered both the genuine questions and the tricky ones meant to entrap Him (questions on the commandment, who the Son of God was, what would happen after death…). He also foretold His second coming.
This must have been a very long day for Him.
Day 4: Anointing and betrayal (Matthew 26:6–16)
A woman came to anoint Jesus with perfume and although His disciples were offended, Jesus saw it as a preparation for what was to come.
Later that day Judas goes to the chief priests and agrees to hand Jesus over in exchange for thirty pieces of silver.
Day 5: Last supper and arrest (Matthew 26:17-75)
Jesus shared the Last Supper with His disciples (bread and wine as His body and blood). He knew His time had come, He washed their feet, taught humility and service. Later, in the Garden of Gethsemane, He prayed in anguish before eventually being arrested thanks to Judas’s betrayal.
Day 6: Good Friday – Crucifixion and Death (Matthew 27:1-56)
This day marks the suffering and death of Jesus. After trials before Pontius Pilate and others, He is sentenced to death by crucifixion. He is mocked, beaten, and nailed to the cross at Golgotha.
Day 7: The tomb (Matthew 27:57–66)
Jesus’ body lay in the tomb, and His disciples mourned in silence and confusion. the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate to place guards in front of the tomb. They feared that the disciples would use some trick to claim their Messiah really rose up again.
Day 8: Resurrection (Matthew 28:1–10)
Women visit the tomb and find it empty. An angel appeared before them to let them know that Jesus was indeed no longer in the grave.
On their way back to tell the disciples of the good news, they actually met Jesus on the way telling them where to meet again.
I hope with this we’re able to understand a bit more what easter is all about and how much work Jesus put into His assignment so we could have the knowledge we have today and be saved.
Stay Blessed x
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