A Walk Through the Last Week of the Life of Christ

A Devotional Guide

Pastor Frank Winans

Woodbridge Community Church

5000 Barranca Parkway, Irvine, CA 92604  Tel. (949) 552-1101

Introduction

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This is a scriptural outline walking through the last week of the life of Christ, leading toward His Death. It is designed to be a devotional/scripture reading that you can use for your own personal prayer time or for family/group devotions for this Passion Week.

Day 1 Saturday (before Palm Sunday)

Scripture Reading:  Matthew 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9, John 12:2-11

Jesus is anointed by Mary Magdalene.  Jesus is attending a dinner at the home of Simon (healed of leprosy by Jesus).  The perfume used had cost at least 300 denarii (about a year’s wages). This act served as an anointing for burial; however, it is doubtful that Mary understood that.  To her it was an act of worship.

Question to Ponder: From these passages, we see how much Mary loved Jesus and how she expressed that love by anointing His head and feet with costly perfume. How have you expressed your love for Jesus lately, and how much has it cost you?

Day 2 Sunday (Palm Sunday) – The Triumphal Entry

Scripture Reading:  Matthew 21:1-11, 14-17; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:29-44; John 12:12-19

Morning – The Jews were excited about the entrance of Jesus into the city for four reasons:

  1. The recent raising of Lazarus renewed the hopes for a Messiah.
  2. It was the Passover, the time the Messiah was expected to appear.
  3. He was riding on a baby donkey, fulfilling the prophecy (Zechariah 9:9).
  4. He began the entry from the Mount of Olives, fulfilling the prophecy of (Zechariah 14:4)

The people cried Hosanna, which means “save us”– as they waved palm branches and laid them down before Jesus on His way into the city.

Afternoon – He visits the Temple

Evening – Jesus returns to Bethany where He sleeps at the house of Lazarus.

Question to Ponder: The people rejoiced because they thought that Jesus was the One who would free them from the oppressive Roman Rulers. They were so concerned for their material needs they did not see their spiritual need for forgiveness of sin, which is what Jesus came to fulfill. Can you think of times when your need for material things diminish your appreciation for the forgiveness of sin that Jesus gives?

Day 3 Monday

Scripture Reading:  Matthew 21:12-19; Mark 11:12-18; Luke 19:45-48

-Morning – He enters Jerusalem and curses the fig tree.  This is symbolic of Israel not producing fruit in season.  As a result it will shrivel and die.

-Mid-morning – He cleanses the temple by driving out the money changers.

-Evening – He is back to Bethany.

Question to Ponder: Jesus is so concerned for the salvation of mankind that He curses the fig tree, symbolic of His judgment on Israel, for failing to be God’s agent of salvation to mankind, and also drives out the moneychangers, because they were hindering people from worshipping God in the temple. We are to be a light to the world, pointing people to Jesus. Can you think of ways by which you can be a light to people around you?

Day 4 Tuesday

Scripture Reading:  Matthew 21:23-ch 26; Mark 11:27-12:37; Luke 20:1-47

-Morning – He goes to the temple where He has a dialogue with the Chief Priest and religious leaders that lasts all day.

-Evening – Olivet discourse (Matthew 24-25:46; Mark 13:1-37; Luke 21:5-36)

This is right after the long theological debate between Jesus and the rulers of the city.  On the way back to Bethany, the disciples and Jesus stop on the Mount of Olives and look back on the city.  Jesus’ focus here is on the future.

Questions to Ponder: Jesus had harsh words for the religious leaders because their responsibility was to lead people to God, but instead they were a stumbling block that hindered people from finding God. Can you think of ways by which religious leaders today are leading people away from God? How can you be a light that could bring people to God?

Day 5: Wednesday

Scripture Reading:  Matthew 26:1-16; Mark 14:1-11; Luke 21:37- 22: 1-6

It is believed that Jesus didn’t go into the city this day.  However, Judas slips back into the city and agrees to betray Jesus.

Questions to Ponder: The Chief Priest and the teachers of the law were obsessed with killing Jesus because they were so insecure. Jesus was getting so popular with the people and they saw Him as a threat to their power and authority. What are the things in our lives that cause us insecurity? How does that hinder our spiritual effectiveness?

Day 6 Thursday

Scripture Reading:

Morning – Matthew 26:17-19; Mark 14:12-16; Luke 22:7-13

Jesus sends the disciples to make arrangements for their Passover meal.

Evening – Matthew 26:20-35; Mark 14:17-31; Luke 14-40; John 13- 18

The Passover meal of the Last Supper.  The order of the events that night probably happened like this:

  1. Washing disciples’ feet. John 13:1-5
  2. Eating the Passover meal.
  3. Identifying Judas as the betrayer, after which he left.
  4. Institution of the Lord’s Supper.
  5. Message in the Upper Room.
  6. Message on the way to Gethsemane.
  7. Jesus prays all night while the disciples have a hard time staying awake.
  8. Betrayal and arrest in Gethsemane.

3:00 am – Arrested and Forsaken (Matthew 26:47-56; Mark 14:43-52; Luke 22:47-53; John 18:2-12)

Questions to Ponder: Jesus was preparing for the most difficult but the most crucial part of His mission on Earth – His Death and Resurrection. How did Jesus prepare His disciples spiritually for the difficult times ahead of them? How is the Lord preparing you to be spiritually effective for Him?

Day 7 Friday

Scripture Reading:

Early morning

  1. Trial before Annas, ex-High Priest  (John 18:13-24)

– Peter denies the Lord for the first time.

  1. Trial before Caiaphas, High Priest  (Matthew 26:57-75; Mark 14:53-72; Luke 22:54-65; John 18:25-27)

– Peter denies the Lord for the second and third time.

  1. Trial before the entire Sanhedrin  (Matthew 27:1; Mark 15:1a; Luke 22:66-71)
  2. Trial before Pilate  (Matthew 27:2; Mark 15:1b-5; Luke 23:1-5; John 18:28-38)
  3. Trial before Herod Antipas  (Luke 23:6-12)
  4. 2nd Trial before Pilate  (Matthew 27:15-26; Mark 15:6-15; Luke 23:13-25; John 18:39- 19:16)

By 9:00am

Jesus is flogged, scourged, and crucified  (Matthew 27:27-56; Mark 15:16-41; Luke 23:26-49; John 19:17-30)

By 3:00pm

Jesus pays it!!!  He is later buried  (Matthew 27:57-66; Mark 15:42-47; Luke 23:50-56; John 19:31-42)

Questions to Ponder: Jesus paid the ultimate price for our sins – with His life! Our lives are so precious to Him that He was willing to give up His life for ours. True love is measured by the extent of what a person is willing to give up because of that love.  How much do you really love Jesus? What have you given up for Him?

Day 8 Saturday 

Scripture Reading:  Luke 23:48

Question to Ponder: What was it like to spend a day in utter despair?