Passion Week 2024: Easter Sunday

“The resurrection morning was only the beginning of a great, grand and vast outreach that has never ended and will not end until our Lord Jesus Christ comes back again.”  - A. W. Tozer

We’ve now arrived at Easter Sunday (Resurrection Sunday). So much has happened in such a short time that it would beneficial to step back, if only for a moment, and review it.

Events of the past week included:

Palm Sunday -  Jesus' Triumphal Entry (Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:29-44, John 12:12-19)

Holy Monday - The Cursing of the Fig Tree  (Matthew 21:18-19, Mark 11:12-14); The Cleansing of the Temple (Matthew  21:12-17, Mark 11:15-19, Luke 19:45-48)

Holy Tuesday - The Lesson of the Withered Fig Tree (Matthew 21:18-22, Mark 11:20-25); The Challenge of Jesus’ Authority (Matthew 21:23-27, Mark 11:27-33, Luke 20:1-8); The Parables of Warning - (Matthew 21:28-22:14, Mark 12:1-12, Luke 20:9-19); Jesus Debating with Jewish Leaders - (Matthew 22:15-46, Mark 12:13-37, Luke 20:20-44); The Criticism of the Scribes and Pharisees - (Matthew 23:1-39, Mark 12:38-44, Luke 20:45-21:4); The Sermon on the Last Things (Matthew 24-25, Mark 13, Luke 21:5-36)

Holy (Silent) Wednesday - The Conspiracy of the Chief Priests (Matthew 26:1-5, Mark 14:1-2, Luke 22:1-2); Flashbacks of Jesus' Anointing and Judas' Plot (Matthew 26:6-16, Mark 14:3-11, Luke 22:3-6, John 11:45-12:8)

Holy Thursday - The Last Supper (Matthew 26:17-35, Mark 14:12-31, Luke 22:7-38, John 13-17); Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-46, Mark 14:32-42, Luke 22:39-46); The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus (Matthew 26:47-56, Mark 14:43-52, Luke 22:47-53, John 18:1-14); Jesus Appears Before the Jewish Authorities (Matthew 26:57-75, Mark 14:53-72, Luke 22:54-71, John 18:15-27)

Good Friday - Jesus' Trial Before Pilate (Matthew 27:1-31, Mark 15:1-20, Luke 23:1-25, John 18:28-19:16); Crucifixion of Jesus (Matthew 27:32-56, Mark 15:22-41, Luke 23:26-49, John 19:16-37); Burial of Jesus (Matthew 27:57-61, Mark 15:42-47, Luke 23:50-56, John 19:38-42)

Holy Saturday - Jesus Is Laid in the Tomb (Matthew 27:59-60; Mark 15:46; Luke 23:53-54; John 19:39-42); Guards Watch the Tomb (Mathew 27:62-66)

Remember, the disciples had no idea what Jesus was referring to when he told them that he would be mocked, scourged, crucified, and then rise again (Matthew 20:17–19, Mark 10:32–34, and Luke 18:31–34 ). They did not understand because the meaning was hidden from them.

The religious leaders (including the Pharisees) couldn't grasp what this meant, either. However, it worried them enough that they thought it was best to place guards in front of his tomb (Matthew 27:62-66).

They couldn't take the chance that Jesus' disciples might break into the tomb, remove his corpse, and claim to the people that He had risen (Matthew 27:62-64). This could potentially make the last deception worse than the first!

The stage was now set for what was to happen on Easter Sunday morning. And the world would be forever changed...

Easter (Resurrection) Sunday - The Resurrection of Jesus (Matthew 28:1-10, Mark 16:1-8, Luke 24:1-12, John 20:1-18); The Guards' Report (Matthew 28:11-15); On the Road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35); Jesus Appears to the Disciples (Luke 24:36-49, John 20:19-23)

Jesus’ Crucifixion and Resurrection by The Gospel Project

Scripture: John 11:25; Romans 8:11; 1 Corinthians 15:20; John 11:25-26; 1 Corinthians 6:14 

Prayer: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead," -1 Peter 1:3   (ESV)

Love, peace, and happiness!

Kaitlyn