The Passion of Jesus Christ

Today we are starting the culmination of Jesus’s ministry on earth. He has spent the prior three years traveling throughout Galilee and going to Jerusalem every year for the High Holy Days. Now he is making His last pilgrimage into the Holy City.

During this week He will experience adulation, then rejection, then arrest, trial and death.

Fortunately for us, He will triumph over the grave, which we will celebrate next Sunday.

Let’s look at the events that Our Lord experienced during this monumental week.

Palm Sunday - The Triumphal Entry

Mark 11:1–11 NASB95

1 As they approached Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, He sent two of His disciples, 2 and said to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, on which no one yet has ever sat; untie it and bring it here. 3 “If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ you say, ‘The Lord has need of it’; and immediately he will send it back here.” 4 They went away and found a colt tied at the door, outside in the street; and they untied it. 5 Some of the bystanders were saying to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” 6 They spoke to them just as Jesus had told them, and they gave them permission. 7 They brought the colt to Jesus and put their coats on it; and He sat on it. 8 And many spread their coats in the road, and others spread leafy branches which they had cut from the fields. 9 Those who went in front and those who followed were shouting: “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord; 10 Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David; Hosanna in the highest!” 11 Jesus entered Jerusalem and came into the temple; and after looking around at everything, He left for Bethany with the twelve, since it was already late.

Jesus is fulfilling the plan that God had made before time. Every major event was foretold by the prophets. Zechariah wrote:

Zechariah 9:9 NASB95

9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation, Humble, and mounted on a donkey, Even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Jesus came into Jerusalem and went directly to the temple. He looked around, probably with disdain toward what was happening.

The Pharisees were watching him, looking for any reason to accuse Him.

Luke 19:39–44 NASB95

39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples.” 40 But Jesus answered, “I tell you, if these become silent, the stones will cry out!” 41 When He approached Jerusalem, He saw the city and wept over it, 42 saying, “If you had known in this day, even you, the things which make for peace! But now they have been hidden from your eyes. 43 “For the days will come upon you when your enemies will throw up a barricade against you, and surround you and hem you in on every side, 44 and they will level you to the ground and your children within you, and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.”

Imagine what they thought when He said this.

Monday - Cleansing the Temple

The next morning, Jesus and the Disciples arose and went back into the City of Jerusalem.

Mark 11:12–14 NASB95

12 On the next day, when they had left Bethany, He became hungry. 13 Seeing at a distance a fig tree in leaf, He went to see if perhaps He would find anything on it; and when He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. 14 He said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again!” And His disciples were listening.

This seems strange - that Jesus would curse the tree and not restore it. However, it was a symbolic gesture.

The fig tree represents Israel. That it has leaves represents the showy religion, the beautiful temple.

The lack of fruit shows they have no spiritual life.

Continuing,

Mark 11:15–18 NASB95

15 Then they came to Jerusalem. And He entered the temple and began to drive out those who were buying and selling in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves; 16 and He would not permit anyone to carry merchandise through the temple. 17 And He began to teach and say to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a robbers’ den.” 18 The chief priests and the scribes heard this, and began seeking how to destroy Him; for they were afraid of Him, for the whole crowd was astonished at His teaching.

This is the third and final time that Jesus cleansed the Temple of the money changers. They were making money for themselves by selling temple currency for common money. They also sold “pure” sacrificial animals when the ones brought by the people were deemed “blemished.”

This is an example of the fruitless fig tree...

Tuesday - The Plot to Kill Jesus

Jesus knew the timeline and He was preparing the Disciples for what would happen in the next several days.

Matthew 26:1–5 NASB95

1 When Jesus had finished all these words, He said to His disciples, 2 “You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man is to be handed over for crucifixion.” 3 Then the chief priests and the elders of the people were gathered together in the court of the high priest, named Caiaphas; 4 and they plotted together to seize Jesus by stealth and kill Him. 5 But they were saying, “Not during the festival, otherwise a riot might occur among the people.”

The Chief Priest and the elders decided that the time was coming when they had to deal with Jesus. So, they made a plan to seize Him quietly and kill Him.. But. that wasn’t in God’s timeline, as they would soon find out. They would not be able to seize Him without His permission, and they would have to do it publically.

The disciples were at the home of Simon the Leper in Bethany when:

Matthew 26:6–13 NASB95

6 Now when Jesus was in Bethany, at the home of Simon the leper, 7 a woman came to Him with an alabaster vial of very costly perfume, and she poured it on His head as He reclined at the table. 8 But the disciples were indignant when they saw this, and said, “Why this waste? 9 “For this perfume might have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor.” 10 But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you bother the woman? For she has done a good deed to Me. 11 “For you always have the poor with you; but you do not always have Me. 12 “For when she poured this perfume on My body, she did it to prepare Me for burial. 13 “Truly I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be spoken of in memory of her.”

This shows that man thinks of earthly value - we could have sold the perfume and used the money better.

God thinks of Heavenly value - the Savior is about to be sacrificed to provide salvation for all who believe.

Finally, Judas makes his move.

Matthew 26:14–16 NASB95

14 Then one of the twelve, named Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15 and said, “What are you willing to give me to betray Him to you?” And they weighed out thirty pieces of silver to him. 16 From then on he began looking for a good opportunity to betray Jesus.

Things have now been set in motion for God’s plan to move forward - His plan from before time.

Before He created Adam and Eve, He knew man could not stay true. He knew sin would enter the world and He had a plan to overcome sin.

Wednesday - Jesus Teaching in the Temple

There is nothing specific that we can glean from scriptures that describes what happened on Wednesday of the Passion week. We do know that during the week, Jesus was going into Jerusalem in the morning and back to Bethany at night.

Being Passover, all the accommodations int he city were undoubtedly full. When Jesus would need a room for Passover meal, however, one would be provided.

We know that one morning,

Mark 11:20–26 NASB95

20 As they were passing by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots up. 21 Being reminded, Peter said to Him, “Rabbi, look, the fig tree which You cursed has withered.” 22 And Jesus answered saying to them, “Have faith in God. 23 “Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be granted him. 24 “Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you. 25 “Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions. 26 “But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your transgressions.”

The disciples noted that the fig tree that Jesus had cursed a day or two earlier had withered from the roots up. Again, the fig tree represents Israel with it’s fruitless faith. The mountain He is referring to is the Temple Mount, fruitless. Faith can overcome the fruitlessness and cast that particular mountain into the sea.

He taught many lessons during this last week - mainly lessons of judgement upon those who are empty and devoid for grace. The elders of Israel had departed so far from the truth that they had known that the temple needed to be torn down and rebuilt upon the solid rock of faith.

Jesus also taught His disciples about the destruction of the Temple and the end times:

Matthew 24:1–14 NASB95

1 Jesus came out from the temple and was going away when His disciples came up to point out the temple buildings to Him. 2 And He said to them, “Do you not see all these things? Truly I say to you, not one stone here will be left upon another, which will not be torn down.” 3 As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” 4 And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you. 5 “For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many. 6 “You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end. 7 “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes. 8 “But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs. 9 “Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. 10 “At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. 11 “Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. 12 “Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold. 13 “But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved. 14 “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.

Thursday - The Last Supper

Finally the day of first day of Passover arrived and Jesus needed a place to break bread and share the Passover meal. So He instructs his disciples:

Mark 14:12–17 NASB95

12 On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb was being sacrificed, His disciples said to Him, “Where do You want us to go and prepare for You to eat the Passover?” 13 And He sent two of His disciples and said to them, “Go into the city, and a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him; 14 and wherever he enters, say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher says, “Where is My guest room in which I may eat the Passover with My disciples?” ’ 15 “And he himself will show you a large upper room furnished and ready; prepare for us there.” 16 The disciples went out and came to the city, and found it just as He had told them; and they prepared the Passover. 17 When it was evening He came with the twelve.

God’s plan will always happen - man cannot stop it. He prepares the hearts of His people to be open to His prompting and those faithful people will respond. But not all disciples are faithful.

Matthew 26:20–25 NASB95

20 Now when evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the twelve disciples. 21 As they were eating, He said, “Truly I say to you that one of you will betray Me.” 22 Being deeply grieved, they each one began to say to Him, “Surely not I, Lord?” 23 And He answered, “He who dipped his hand with Me in the bowl is the one who will betray Me. 24 “The Son of Man is to go, just as it is written of Him; but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.” 25 And Judas, who was betraying Him, said, “Surely it is not I, Rabbi?” Jesus said to him, “You have said it yourself.”

And Judas left to betray Jesus to the Chief Priests and elders of Israel.

Now Jesus institutes the Lord’s Supper:

Matthew 26:26–30 NASB95

26 While they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” 27 And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; 28 for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins. 29 “But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.” 30 After singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

This is the new covenant in His blood that will allow for the forgiveness of all sin for all time.

Notice that they sang a hymn - probably NOT the “Old Rugged Cross”… and they went to the Mount of Olives, specifically the Garden of Gethsemane, to pray and prepare for what would now transpire.

Friday - Arrest, Trial and Crucifixion

Luke 22:39–46 NASB95

39 And He came out and proceeded as was His custom to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples also followed Him. 40 When He arrived at the place, He said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” 41 And He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and began to pray, 42 saying, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.” 43 Now an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him. 44 And being in agony He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground. 45 When He rose from prayer, He came to the disciples and found them sleeping from sorrow, 46 and said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”

Jesus spent much time in prayer - that was His custom. Many times we read in scripture that He arose and went out alone to pray. This is no different. He took His disciple with Him to watch and then He went further by Himself to pray and seek the Father’s guidance.

He asked to have the cup or sorrow taken away. But He was willing to do the Father’s bidding no matter the cost.

How many times are we prepared to do the same - no matter the cost?

He was then betrayed into the hand of the elders of Israel - by a kiss of peace!

Matthew 26:47–56 NASB95

47 While He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, came up accompanied by a large crowd with swords and clubs, who came from the chief priests and elders of the people. 48 Now he who was betraying Him gave them a sign, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the one; seize Him.” 49 Immediately Judas went to Jesus and said, “Hail, Rabbi!” and kissed Him. 50 And Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you have come for.” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and seized Him. 51 And behold, one of those who were with Jesus reached and drew out his sword, and struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his ear. 52 Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place; for all those who take up the sword shall perish by the sword. 53 “Or do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels? 54 “How then will the Scriptures be fulfilled, which say that it must happen this way?” 55 At that time Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me as you would against a robber? Every day I used to sit in the temple teaching and you did not seize Me. 56 “But all this has taken place to fulfill the Scriptures of the prophets.” Then all the disciples left Him and fled.

All this so that Scripture could be fulfilled.

Isaiah 53 foretold his torture:

Isaiah 53:5 NASB95

5 But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed.

It foretold His death:

Isaiah 53:7–8 NASB95

7 He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth; Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, So He did not open His mouth. 8 By oppression and judgment He was taken away; And as for His generation, who considered That He was cut off out of the land of the living For the transgression of my people, to whom the stroke was due?

It foretold of His burial:

Isaiah 53:9 NASB95

9 His grave was assigned with wicked men, Yet He was with a rich man in His death, Because He had done no violence, Nor was there any deceit in His mouth.

It foretold of His dying to justify:

Isaiah 53:11 NASB95

11 As a result of the anguish of His soul, He will see it and be satisfied; By His knowledge the Righteous One, My Servant, will justify the many, As He will bear their iniquities.

Psalm 16 foretold the resurrection.

Psalm 16:10 NASB95

10 For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol; Nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay.

It was all foretold by the prophets and thus it occured.

Before the Chief Priest he was spit upon. He was struck. He was mocked.

Then he declared He was the Son of Man - a title that referred to the Messiah.

That was Blasphemy.

He was taken to Pilate - who sent Him to Herod, who sent Him back to Pilate.

He was scourged, which was a punishment that left the prisoner just short of death.

He was unrecognizable.

he was given a crown of thorns and a royal robe.

Then spat upon again and mocked.

He was made to carry the cross of His death through the streets of Jerusalem to the place of execution.

He was crucified.

He died.

He was buried in a borrowed grave...

Matthew 27:57–61 NASB95

57 When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. 58 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. 59 And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the entrance of the tomb and went away. 61 And Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the grave.

Saturday - Rest & Reflect

And the disciples - and the world - waited.

Matthew 27:62–66 NASB95

62 Now on the next day, the day after the preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered together with Pilate, 63 and said, “Sir, we remember that when He was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I am to rise again.’ 64 “Therefore, give orders for the grave to be made secure until the third day, otherwise His disciples may come and steal Him away and say to the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last deception will be worse than the first.” 65 Pilate said to them, “You have a guard; go, make it as secure as you know how.” 66 And they went and made the grave secure, and along with the guard they set a seal on the stone.

Saturday was the Sabbath, where all had a day of rest.

Luke 23:56 NASB95

56 Then they returned and prepared spices and perfumes. And on the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.

During this upcoming week, spend time preparing for Next Sunday.

Sunday is the culmination of all the Scriptures, the Prophets and the Law.

Reflect on what our savior went through - for you!

Pray to our Father in Heaven that we will be true to His sacrifice and honor the Gift we have been given.

Days are coming when we will not be free to express our faith openly without persecution.

Pray we will remain true.

It was hard for Peter - but that was before the Holy Spirit filled him at Pentecost.

We have the spirit.

After a short video, we will pray.