Let’s Take a Walk Through Holy Week

Palm Sunday

Let’s start with the day Jesus made His triumphant entry into Jerusalem and began His last week of ministry on the earth. He told the disciples they no longer had to be quiet about who He was. He rode into Jerusalem on the back of a borrowed donkey’s colt. He is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lord’s. Instead of demanding a show horse covered with royal cloths, He rides a donkey covered with the cloaks of His disciples. The people cheered, threw their cloaks and palm leaves down to cover the road, singing “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.” The people understood that He was the Messiah, but they didn’t understand that it wasn’t time to set up the temple just yet. They wanted Him to save them politically and nationally, but He came to offer something far better - spiritual salvation. When He didn’t meet their selfish expectations, their praises diminished and later in the week changed to “Crucify Him”.

Are we guilty of the same? We praise Him and declare His goodness when we get our way, but those praises wane when we don’t understand His ways. Trusting Jesus means believing on Him even when it doesn’t make sense. The next few days would not make sense to His disciples.

As Jesus made His way to Jerusalem, the Bible tells us that Jesus “saw the city and wept over it”. (Luke 19:41) He knew that so many people had rejected Him and that the nation would suffer judgement.

When was the last time we wept over the people we love who are lost?

Jesus arrived at the temple and was saddened by what was taking place there. He “cleansed” the temple by throwing out those who were dishonoring it. He reminded them, “My house shall be called a house of prayer”. The blind and lame came to Him in the temple and He healed them. The children shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” The chief priests and scribes who were indignant asked, “Do you hear what they are saying?” They began to question His authority.

He went out of the city to Bethany where He was staying. As he returned to the city in the morning, He and the Disciples saw a fig tree covered with leaves. He was hungry and desired to eat the fruit. It looked full of promise - but was empty and bore no fruit. He cursed the tree and it withered away. Hmm... why did He do that? Here are some takeaways from this event.

A fig tree was a symbol for the nation of Israel. The withering tree would symbolize the coming judgement.
Cleansing the temple and withering the tree, Jesus was forecasting His coming judgement and the power and authority to carry it out.
Religion is not enough. We may look good on the outside, but Jesus is concerned with our heart. When we have a relationship with Him, we bear spiritual fruit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
God judges fruitlessness. Jesus said that He is the vine and those who abide in Him will “bear much fruit”. (John 15:5-8)
James echoed this truth as well when he said, “Faith without works is dead.” So, believing “in” is not the same as believing “on” Jesus and having a personal relationship with Him. Our love for Jesus propels us to be obedient to Him and to love as He loved and serve as He served.
The withering fig tree also served to teach the disciples that faith works miracles and is the basis for answered prayer.

What is the condition of our heart? Is Jesus the Lord of our life? As our relationship with Him deepens, the greater spiritual transformation we will experience. Less of me, more of Him.

Jesus came into the temple only to have the chief priests and the elders of the people question His authority. Here they were -face to face with Jesus- and they just did not get it. They were self-righteous and refused to believe.

Jesus shared the Parable of the Two Sons, the Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers, and the Parable of the Wedding Feast. (Take a few minutes to read them.) All three focused on the acceptance or rejection of Jesus. The priests and elders were stung by His words, although they did not have Paul’s teachings to help them understand like we do. Still, they despised Jesus and His message. Can you imagine? They could have sat at the feet of Jesus and learned so much. Instead, they clung to their pride and were blind to the truth. (Hmm... does our pride affect our faith?)

So... they plotted how they might entangle Him in His talk. They prepared trick questions. The Pharisees asked about taxes. The Sadducees asked about marriage in Heaven, and the Scribes asked about the greatest commandment. Of course, Jesus answered truthfully. This was the day Jesus told of the widow who gave two mites and those 2 mites were worth much because she gave out of devotion to God - not to impress others. Then He spoke the 8 Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees. Remember? He called them hypocrites and said they “cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. “

Jesus’ parables are like wrapped gifts. You have to open the package to receive the gift. Once you seek to understand the core of the story, the lessons come alive and prove to be priceless. But the ultimate gift was given when “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Mid-Week

In Matthew 23:37 Jesus said, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! See! Your house is left to you desolate; for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.’”

The first temple was built by Solomon and was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 B.C. The second was completed in 516 B.C. under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Joshua. It was completely and lavishly renovated by Herod the Great 20 B.C. - A.D. 64. Only 6 years after completion the Romans destroyed it. Today a Muslim mosque sits on the site.

Jesus left the temple. He and His disciples went up to the Mount of Olives. He predicted the destruction of the temple. He sat and the disciples asked Him when these things would happen, what would be the signs of His coming and the end of the age. He shares what should be expected in the last days, about the great tribulation and His return. (Matthew 24) As He often did, He taught through the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins and The Parable of the Talents. He told them the Son of Man will Judge the Nations. He finished by saying to His disciples, “You know that after two days is Passover, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.” He went to the home of Simon the leper where the woman with the alabaster flask poured costly oil on His head and feet. The expensive oil teaches us of the value of His death and the cost of devotion to Him.

In the meantime - the chief priests, scribes and elders met at Caiaphas’ house to plot how to take Jesus and kill Him. Judas asked them how much they would give him if he delivered Jesus to them. They offered him 30 pieces of silver - the price of a slave.

It’s getting dark. Jesus knows what is coming and He says, “If anyone serve Me, he must [continue to faithfully] follow Me [without hesitation, holding steadfastly to Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me]; and wherever I am [in heaven’s glory], there will My servant be also. If anyone serve Me, the Father will honor him.” John 12:26 AMP

It’s a good day to ask, “Am I following Him?”

On the day of Passover, Jesus and the disciples sat down to eat what would become known as the Last Supper. As they did Jesus said, “Assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” They were filled with sorrow at the thought.

As they were eating. Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it. He said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” Then He took the cup, gave thanks and told them to drink of it - explaining that this represented His blood. He told Peter that even he would deny him 3 times later that night. Peter swore he wouldn’t. Then Jesus humbled himself and washed the disciples feet. He was setting an example for us to be humble and to love and to serve.

They left from their supper and went to the Garden of Gethsemane. As they entered he told them to sit and wait while he went to pray. Peter, James and John went with him. Jesus became sorrowful and asked these 3 to stay and watch. Jesus prayed, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will but as You will.” (Does that break your heart? He was about to experience torture and excruciating pain on our behalf. He, who knew no sin, took on our sin. We should be filled with gratitude. Stop and tell Jesus how grateful you are. Praise Him!)

Remember the three who were supposed to be watching and praying? Well, They fell asleep and Jesus woke them up twice. It wasn’t long before Judas showed up with an angry mob led by the chief priests and elders of the people. (Notice on the pics in the Garden of Gethsemane - it is small & Jerusalem is just right across what is now a street. Jesus would have heard them coming and could have fled.) Judas gave them a sign by kissing Jesus on the cheek. Then the mob grabbed Jesus to capture him. Peter reacted by grabbing his sword and cutting off one of their ears. Jesus told Peter to put his sword away. He could have called 10,000 angels to free him, however he went willfully to fulfill the Scriptures.

He said to the angry crowd, ”Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me? I sat daily with you, teaching in the temple, and you did not seize me. But all this was done that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.”

Good Friday

Jesus had been arrested in the garden and was taken to Caiaphas, the High Priest. Peter followed at a distance. Jesus was dropped into a pit and held as they held trial. These people were outraged and sought false testimony against Jesus so they could put Him to death. They found none. Jesus kept silent. (Think about that.) Jesus was subjected to 6 trials. They beat Him and spat on Him and desperately tried to find some legal basis for condemning Him to death.

Three times - as Jesus had foretold - Peter denied knowing Jesus. I imagine he was terrified they would do to him what they were doing to Jesus. Can you imagine how alone and betrayed Jesus must have felt? Why did He do this? He willingly sat aside His deity. They handed Jesus over to Pontius Pilate who was the governor of Judea, Samaria, and Idumea. The Jews did not have authority to execute Jesus, so they needed Pilate to order it. Peter wept bitterly over his denial of Jesus. Judas realized what he had done, could not bear it and hung himself.

Pilate asked Jesus if He was the "King of Jews". Jesus replied, "It is as you say." Pilate really did not want to crucify Jesus - there was not grounds for it; but the mob was out of control - screaming, "Crucify Him!" He asked them which one they would have him to release - Barabbas, a notorious murderer or Jesus. They called for him to release Barabbas. He asked what he should do with Jesus and again they replied, "Crucify Him!"

Ugh! That makes my heart hurt. I cannot imagine hating anyone enough to spit on them or demand that they be crucified. Such hate filled their hearts. Do you think it was hate or could it have been fear?

Pilate took water, washed his hands, and told the crowd, "I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it." He scourged Jesus (had Him beaten - possibly hoping the crowd would show pity on Jesus and release Him. They did not.) The soldiers mocked Him, stripped Him, put a scarlet robe and crown of thorns on Him and a reed in His right hand. Then they carried out the cruelest form of execution - crucifixion.

Jesus was too weak to carry His cross, so Simon of Cyrene carried it for Him to Golgotha or Skull Hill. They nailed His arms to a beam, hoisted Him up and fixed Him to a post, then nailed His feet. His body weight was supported by a peg. As He suffered, they gave Him sour wine mingled with gall to drink. He hung on the cross between two robbers. The sight was close to the road where many would see. Jesus obediently followed God's plan for Him - even to the point of death.

Even after all they had done to Him, Jesus said, "Father, forgive them. They know not what they do." We think to ourselves, "these people were terrible and Jesus forgave them, that's crazy!" That's grace. WE are terrible - selfish and disobedient after all He has done for us - and forgiveness - grace upon grace - is ours.

Darkness fell across the land. This was a supernatural occurrence. Can you imagine how watching His Son endure such pain and suffering must have grieved the heart of God? Jesus cried out (quoting from Psalm 22 and possibly alluding to a great victory), "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? That is, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" Jesus cried out and yielded up His spirit.

The death of Jesus is brutal and it is hard to see the good. But the Good part is what came as a result - "the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom". The blood of Jesus - the sacrificial lamb - had been spilled out to atone our sins. Now, God had opened up access to Himself through His Son. That means that we have access to God - we can experience His presence right now today. We can have reconciliation to the Father because of what the Son has done. We can have a personal relationship with Him. Now that is GOOD NEWS! This IS Good Friday!

The next day was a dark day. Jesus had been arrested, beaten and murdered by the cruel act of crucifixion. He was dead. The disciples had scattered and were hiding in fear. I imagine they could hardly believe what had happened - Jesus was gone, Judas had betrayed Him, Peter denied Him, they all failed Him and their hope was depleted. It is easy for us to read about these events and judge these 12 men. But maybe we should stop and think about all the ways we fail Him personally. We have God’s word put into a book by many of these men, we have been taught what they had to live to learn and yet, we still fail to live as if we truly understand who Jesus is.

After the earthquake and the darkness came, the centurion and those with him said, “Truly this was the Son of God.” The women, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James & Joseph/Joses, and Mary the mother of James & John, were looking from afar. A wealthy man named Joseph asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. He wrapped His body in clean linen and laid Him in his new tomb (Jesus was born of a virgin’s womb and now laid to rest in a pure tomb). Now it was the next day and again the chief priests and Pharisees went to Pilate and told him that Jesus had said, “After 3 days I will rise.” They decided to make the tomb as secure as possible “just in case”. They sealed the stone and set the guard.

Galatians 2:20 says, “ I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live but Jesus who lives in me. Today is a good day to die to our selfish ways and to rise from the darkness with Jesus. Morning is coming!!

Easter Sunday

On the 3rd day there was a great earthquake, an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, rolled the stone back from the door and sat on it. He was “like lightning and his clothing as white as snow”. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary witnessed this. The angel told them to not be afraid. “HE IS NOT HERE; FOR HE IS RISEN.” He instructed them to Go and Tell the disciples, Jesus will meet you in Galilee. (Go and Tell - our divine order: to tell others the good news about Jesus.)

Meanwhile, the soldiers who witnessed this shook with fear. They ran to report it to the chief priests. They gave the guards money to tell people the disciples had stolen the body of Jesus.

Peter and John ran to the tomb and found the linen cloths (that had been wrapped around Jesus’ body) lying there. The napkin that covered his face was folded and lying separately. (Jesus took the time to fold the napkin. Why? Could it be to send a message? A wadded up napkin signals “I’m done”, but a folded napkin indicates “I’ll be back”. One thing is for sure - not one word or one action was in vain.)

The disciples knew and believed - Jesus is Risen. He had prophesied His death and resurrection in their presence, but they didn’t understand what He was talking about. Later, Jesus would explain how His life and death fulfilled the scriptures.

During the 40 Days between His resurrection and His ascension into heaven, Jesus appeared 10-11 times to teach about the Kingdom of God.

Jesus IS Alive! Right now today - He is alive and wants to spend time with you. He is not a fairytale - He is real. He died, rose from the dead and ascended to the right hand of God. All of this He did to pay the price for our sin, to offer us reconciliation to God and so that we could have the hope of eternity with Him. Have you thanked Him and laid your life down for Him?

Let’s celebrate His resurrection every day! May our gratitude match the enormity of this precious gift - his life for ours.

Hallelujah!!! He is risen! Rejoice!

(Share this wondrous story with everyone you love. This is far more important than Easter bunnies and chocolate candy and a fine meal. Jesus is everything. Make sure those you love know that.)

Happy Easter!

Note from Pam:

Thank you for reading this blog post. It is my prayer that God will use my words to encourage you to engage Jesus in an intimate relationship. I love working with women one to one and in groups to help them remove their blindspots and move forward in true freedom and leadership. I would love to come alongside you and help you step into God’s plan for your life. If that is of interest to you, let’s chat. Just click here.

I love you and am thankful you are here. Let’s ask, “Master, what matters?” and let’s engage Him and experience the more He came to offer.

Pam

Stay Connected:

Follow Pam Pegram on Instagram, and like my FB page. And follow Engage for More’s FB page, FB group, and Instagram.
Listen to Pam on the Engage for More podcast.
Need a Mentor? Check out The CIRCLE Mentorship Program. Learn how to apply God’s word to your everyday life and experience true transformation.
Want someone to walk alongside you? Pam is a Life & Leadership Coach. Click here and schedule a complimentary call so you can find out more.
Need a Speaker at your event? Pam is a sought after speaker. Reach out to her.
Ready to Rise Up and become the Leader God is calling your to be? Learn more about our Leadership Program.
Subscribe to Pam’s Leadership Newsletter, LEAD, by clicking here.
Be sure to subscribe to this blog/newsletter. (see Subscribe Box below).
Visit our websites - pampegram.com and engageformore.com
If you are looking for a resource to help you grow more intimate with Jesus, check out Pam’s book, Saved by Grace, Now What? It is available on the MWM Marketplace along with some pretty cute faith based tees and also available on Amazon.

Let's Take A Walk Through Holy Week