Passion Week, also known as Holy Week, commemorates the final days of Jesus Christ’s life, from His triumphal entry into Jerusalem to His resurrection․
1․1 Overview of Passion Week
Passion Week, or Holy Week, is a solemn remembrance of Jesus Christ’s final days before His resurrection․ It begins with His triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday and concludes with Easter Sunday․ This period includes key events such as the Last Supper, Jesus’ betrayal, crucifixion, and burial․ The week is a profound reflection on Jesus’ sacrifice and its spiritual significance, emphasizing His love, redemption, and victory over death․
1․2 Historical and Religious Significance
Passion Week holds profound historical and religious importance as it commemorates the pivotal events leading to Jesus Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection․ Central to Christian faith, it underscores the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and the establishment of the New Covenant․ The week symbolizes God’s ultimate act of love and redemption, offering forgiveness and salvation to humanity․ It serves as a cornerstone of Christian theology and a time for spiritual reflection, renewal, and celebration of eternal life through Christ’s sacrifice․
Sunday: Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem
Jesus enters Jerusalem on a donkey, fulfilling prophecy, as crowds wave palms and shout “Hosanna,” marking the beginning of Passion Week․
2․1 Palm Sunday and the Triumphal Entry
Palm Sunday marks Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, where He was greeted by crowds waving palm branches and shouting “Hosanna․” This event symbolizes Jesus’ arrival as the Messiah, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies․ The donkey He rode signifies humility and peace, contrasting with the glorious reception․ The day is celebrated with Palm Sunday services, commemorating the start of Holy Week and Jesus’ journey toward crucifixion․
2․2 Jesus’ Visit to the Temple
After the triumphal entry, Jesus visited the Temple in Jerusalem, where He observed the activities and began teaching․ This visit marked the beginning of His public ministry in the city, drawing attention to His authority and message․ The event set the stage for the spiritual and confrontational events that would unfold during Passion Week, highlighting Jesus’ focus on worship and the hearts of the people․
Monday: Cleansing the Temple
Jesus cleansed the Temple, driving out merchants and money changers, upset by commercialization․ He taught about worship, fulfilling Scripture, and the Temple as a house of prayer․
3․1 Jesus Drives Out the Merchants
Jesus cleansed the Temple, driving out merchants and money changers, overturning tables, and declaring, “My house shall be called a house of prayer, but you make it a den of robbers․” This act highlighted His authority and deep concern for the sanctity of worship․ It also fulfilled prophetic expectations, showcasing His divine mission to restore true worship and challenge corruption within religious practices․
3․2 Teachings and Confrontations
Following the Temple cleansing, Jesus engaged in teachings and confrontations with religious leaders․ He shared parables, emphasizing spiritual truths and challenging the status quo․ Leaders questioned His authority, prompting debates on faith and justice․ These interactions highlighted tensions between Jesus and the Pharisees, setting the stage for future conflicts․ His teachings underscored the importance of genuine faith over outward appearances, drawing both followers and foes closer to a pivotal moment in His ministry․
Tuesday: Dialogues with Religious Leaders
Tuesday of Passion Week involved intense dialogues between Jesus and religious leaders, focusing on questions of authority and parables that highlighted spiritual truths, escalating tensions․
4․1 Questions About Authority
On Tuesday, religious leaders questioned Jesus about His authority to teach and act․ They challenged Him regarding His teachings and actions, such as cleansing the temple․ Jesus responded with parables, emphasizing spiritual truths and God’s kingdom․ This exchange heightened tensions, as the leaders sought to undermine His influence․ The discussions revealed deepening conflicts between Jesus and the religious establishment, setting the stage for further confrontations․
4․2 Parables and Warnings
Jesus taught parables, such as the wicked tenants and the marriage feast, to convey spiritual truths․ These parables often targeted religious leaders, exposing their hypocrisy and resistance to God’s message․ He warned about the dangers of pride, self-righteousness, and rejecting God’s messengers․ His teachings intensified the growing conflict with the Pharisees and scribes, who increasingly opposed His authority and message․ These interactions highlighted Jesus’ divine wisdom and the escalating tensions leading to His betrayal․
Wednesday: Betrayal and Preparation
Judas agreed to betray Jesus for thirty silver coins․ Meanwhile, preparations for the Passover meal were made, setting the stage for the Last Supper․
5․1 Judas’ Agreement to Betray Jesus
Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus’ twelve disciples, secretly agreed to betray Him to the Jewish leaders․ He accepted thirty silver coins as payment for his treachery․ This act set in motion the events leading to Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion․ Judas’ betrayal was a pivotal moment in Passion Week, fulfilling prophecies and revealing the depth of human deceit and the divine plan unfolding․
5․2 Preparations for the Passover
Jesus and His disciples prepared for the Passover, a sacred Jewish holiday commemorating Israel’s deliverance from Egypt․ They followed traditional customs, ensuring everything was ready for the symbolic meal․ This preparation not only honored the tradition but also set the stage for the institution of the Eucharist, where Jesus would establish the New Covenant through the bread and cup, transforming the Passover into a profound act of redemption․
Thursday: The Last Supper
Jesus shared the Last Supper with His disciples, instituting the Eucharist and establishing the New Covenant, foretelling His betrayal and Peter’s denial․
6․1 Institution of the Eucharist
During the Last Supper, Jesus instituted the Eucharist, breaking bread and offering wine, symbolizing His body and blood․ He commanded the disciples to remember Him through this sacred act, establishing the New Covenant․ This profound moment marked the foundation of Christian communion, emphasizing unity, sacrifice, and eternal life․ The Eucharist remains a central sacrament in Christian worship, reflecting Jesus’ love and redemption․
6․2 Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial
During the Last Supper, Jesus foretold that Peter would deny Him three times before the rooster crowed․ Peter, filled with confidence, insisted he would never falter, but Jesus solemnly reaffirmed the prediction․ This moment highlighted Peter’s humanity and the testing of faith, while also underscoring Jesus’ divine knowledge and the impending trials․ The prediction weighed heavily on the disciples, foreshadowing the challenges of loyalty and courage they would soon face․
Friday: Crucifixion and Burial
Jesus was tried, condemned, and crucified on Golgotha․ He was buried in a nearby tomb, fulfilling prophecies and marking the climax of His sacrifice for humanity․
7․1 Trials Before Jewish and Roman Authorities
Jesus faced trials before Jewish leaders, including Annas and Caiaphas, where He was accused of blasphemy․ The Sanhedrin condemned Him, and He was mocked and abused․ Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, examined Jesus but found no guilt․ Pilate sent Him to Herod, who returned Him to Pilate․ Despite Pilate’s hesitation, Jesus was sentenced to crucifixion, fulfilling the demands of the crowd․ This legal process was deeply unjust yet part of God’s plan․
7․2 The Crucifixion and Burial
Jesus was crucified on Golgotha, nailed to a cross between two criminals․ A sign reading “King of the Jews” was placed above Him․ He forgave His executors and promised paradise to one thief․ After His death, a soldier pierced His side with a spear․ Joseph of Arimathea, a disciple, buried Jesus in a nearby tomb, wrapping His body in linen and spices․ This act of love and respect fulfilled prophetic expectations, preparing for His resurrection․
Saturday: The Sabbath Day
Saturday was a day of rest as Jesus’ body lay in the tomb․ The Pharisees, fearing His resurrection, took precautions to secure the tomb․
8․1 Jesus’ Body in the Tomb
Jesus’ body rested in the tomb on the Sabbath, fulfilling the Jewish law of rest․ The women prepared spices and ointments, planning to return after the Sabbath․ Meanwhile, the disciples mourned, unaware of the miraculous events soon to unfold․
8․2 The Pharisees’ Precautions
The Pharisees, fearing Jesus’ disciples might steal His body and claim resurrection, requested a Roman guard for the tomb․ Pilate granted their request, and soldiers were stationed to ensure no tampering occurred․ A seal was also placed on the tomb to prevent any interference, reflecting the Pharisees’ efforts to maintain control and suppress any potential claims of Jesus’ divine resurrection․
Sunday: The Resurrection
The resurrection of Jesus on Sunday marked the culmination of Passion Week, as He emerged victorious over death, fulfilling prophecies and securing salvation for humanity․
9․1 The Empty Tomb
The empty tomb marked the dramatic beginning of Jesus’ resurrection․ Early Sunday morning, Mary Magdalene and other women discovered the tomb empty, with Jesus’ body gone․ Angels appeared, proclaiming His resurrection․ The disciples, including Peter and John, verified the empty tomb, seeing the folded burial cloths․ This event became the cornerstone of Christian faith, confirming Jesus’ victory over death and fulfilling Old Testament prophecies․ The empty tomb symbolizes hope and eternal life for believers․
9․2 Appearances of the Risen Jesus
After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to various individuals and groups, confirming His divine victory over death․ Mary Magdalene was the first to see Him, followed by other women․ Later, He appeared to two disciples on the road to Emmaus and to the Eleven in Jerusalem․ A week later, He appeared to them again with Thomas present․ Jesus also appeared to His disciples by the Sea of Galilee and to over 500 people at once, solidifying their faith in His resurrection․
