This is the most important week in world history. It will begin with Jesus' arrival in Jerusalem and end with His resurrection from the dead after, of course, being crucified. It's a week rich in teachings, miracles, and lessons for us. The included guide allows you to choose a gospel and follow Jesus during this period. This will shed a different light on His words and actions.
Jesus makes a triumphant entry into Jerusalem. When we examine the various accounts in the Gospels, we realize that He had already arrived in Bethany and that a crowd of people had come to see Him because of Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead. The Pharisees were extremely jealous and even wanted to kill Lazarus because many people believed in Jesus because of him. When Jesus went to Jerusalem, a large number of people followed Him to Jerusalem, and many went out of the city to meet Him. He had sent His disciples to fetch a donkey and tell those who asked them that the Master needed one. This was done.
They put their clothes on the donkey as a saddle and sat Jesus on it. The people who accompanied them spread their clothes on the ground so that Jesus' donkey could walk on them, a kind of red carpet. They welcomed Him as their king. Shouting “Hosanna,” they expressed their hope that He would help them free themselves from the yoke of the Romans, but this was not to be, because Jesus' mission was not political peace, but spiritual peace.
Jesus traveled everywhere on foot, but this time he chose to travel on a donkey. The donkey was a symbol of peaceful kingship, as prophesied by the prophet Zechariah. Zechariah had prophesied that the king would come riding on a colt, and Matthew referred to this in his gospel.
If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, 'The Lord needs them.' And immediately he will let them go.." Now all this took place so that what was spoken through the prophet might be fulfilled: Say to the daughter of Zion, 'Behold, your King comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey..' The disciples went and did as Jesus had commanded them. Matthew 21:3-6 New International Version 21 Rejoice, daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, daughter of Jerusalem! *Behold, your king comes to you; he is just and victorious, he is humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. Zechariah 9:9 Segond 21
When a king came riding a donkey, it meant he was coming for peace. They probably thought Jesus would bring peace to the nation and rid it of the Romans, but what He brought was peace in hearts, peace with God. They waved palm branches that symbolized victory, because they believed He had come to give them victory.
They called Him “Son of David,” which is the title of the Messiah. They shouted hosanna, they called out to Him to save them, and they declared, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” In doing so, they were quoting the words of Psalm 118, one of the psalms of praise used during Passover. So these people expected Jesus to bring them salvation, victory, peace, and that is what He did, but not in the way they expected.
In another article, I will discuss the five great lessons we can draw, from a theological point of view but also in our relationship with God, from what happened that day, when our Lord entered Jerusalem in triumph.
You will find attached a Bible study guide for the whole week which covers much of what is written in the Gospels about Jesus. Note that there are variations in this week's chronology. Some believe, for example, that He entered the city on a Monday, but the traditional perspective of the Church has always been that this happened on the day we call Palm Sunday, that He was crucified on Friday, and that He rose again on Sunday. So, if you see a slightly divergent reading plan, fear not. Enjoy!
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