Easter Thoughts

 The week before Easter is called Holy Week or Passion Week. These are some of the traditions and how this week is celebrated:

On Palm Sunday, Jesus entered Jerusalem (Matthew 21:1-7) (Mark 11:1-14) (Luke 19:28-40) (John 12:12-19) and was greeted by crowds carrying palms and singing praises.

On Holy Monday, Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered.When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” they asked.Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” 

Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves.

Holy Tuesday, is when Jesus was issued various challenges by the Pharisees and Sadducees over subjects such as marriage in heaven, paying taxes to Caesar, and the source of His authority. Jesus continued teaching in Jerusalem, including telling the disciples that he would be crucified in two days (Matthew 26:1-2) (John 12:20-36).

Holy Wednesday (or Spy Wednesday since it is traditionally thought of as the day Judas the spy, conspired with local authorities to betray Jesus). Jesus was anointed with oil and rebuked Judas for criticizing the woman who anointed him (Matthew 26:6-13)  (Matthew 26:14-16) (Mark 14:10-11) (Luke 22:1-6).

Maundy Thursday, The word Maundy is derived from the Latin word for “command.” The “Maundy” in “Maundy Thursday” refers to the command Jesus gave to the disciples at the Last Supper, that they should love and serve one another.  (Matthew 26:17-35) (Mark 14:12-42) (Luke 22:7-28) (John 13:1-17:26) Jesus was arrested in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-56) (Mark 14:42-52) (Luke 22:39-53) (John 18:1-10). That night, the authorities condemned Jesus for blasphemy (Matthew 26:57-67) (Mark 14:53-65) (Luke 22:66-71) (John 18:19-24)). The same night, Peter denied Jesus three times (Matthew 26:69-75) (Mark 14:66-72) (Luke 22:54-65) (John 18:15-27).

On Good Friday, Jesus was sent to Pilate and King Herod (Matthew 27:1-26) (Mark 15:1-21) (Luke 23:1-25) (John -18:28-19:16), then crucified and buried (Matthew 27:32-55) (Mark 15:21-47) (Luke 23:26-54) (John 19: 17-42).

On Holy Saturday Jesus was lying in the tomb, and the religious leaders asked Pilate to post guards and seal it (Matthew 27:62-65). That evening, several women bought spices to make a burial anointment (Mark 16:1).

On Easter Sunday, the woman came to the tomb and discovered Jesus had risen from the dead (Matthew 28:1-15) (Mark 16:2-11) (Luke 24:1-53) (John 20:1-23).