The Final Week of Jesus’ Life: An 8-Day Holy Week Devotional Series

Scriptures: Matthew 21:1-11, Luke 19:28-44

Sunday: The Triumphal Entry: Its Sunday, but Friday’s Comin’

A famous sermon by the late Tony Campolo made the rounds in past years titled, “It’s Friday, but Sunday’s Comin’!” Of course, the exclamation refers to the sorrows of Good Friday and the joy of Resurrection Sunday. But on Palm Sunday, it is reversed: Jesus is welcomed with shouts of hosannas and praise, but He is well aware of what lies ahead of him—Friday. 

The passages for today’s reading recount Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. Note verse 5 of Matthew 21, where Jesus quotes the prophets Isaiah and Zechariah and their prophesies of the coming Messiah into Jerusalem. Jesus is greeted by cries of “hosanna,” which in Hebrew is a plea for God to save, so something equivalent to “save now.” The shouts came during Passover week, and this verse records part of the Passover ceremony. 

Jesus’ entry into the city riding a humble colt showed His true messiahship—a suffering Messiah, not in a political or military role, for which the Jews were desperately hoping. The cloaks and branches spread on the road before him indicate the reception Jesus received: an honor reserved for kings and royalty, similar to “rolling out the red carpet” today. 

Of course, Jesus knew this week would hold suffering and eventually death. He had alluded to that reality frequently in the months and weeks leading up to this time. He spoke of it with His followers, but few (if any) seemed to truly understand what he was saying. Just as we may feel a foreboding of some coming event, so Jesus must have felt such dread. And yet He did not change God’s plan according to his human desires or emotions. He had been born for this very purpose, becoming the sacrificial Lamb of God. 

The end of the Luke passage records Jesus’ words as He approached Jerusalem. He would have seen the gleaming Temple Mount, the crowds of people flowing toward the gates, and the place of his future death. As He took in the view of the city, he wept for his people, who were so spiritually blind and unbelieving. Once again we see the compassion of Christ on frail humanity. 

Surely we see the heart of God, reaching out in love to those who so cruelly rejected Him. Jesus was willing to experience indescribable pain and suffering, and His mercy extended to all, even his worst enemies. John 1:11 puts it so succinctly, “He came unto His own and his own did not receive Him.” 

Prayer for Today: Lord, I receive You. I welcome all that You are into my life. I desire your presence in my life and yield anew my heart to you, the King of Kings. Today may I grasp a better understanding of what you did for me on the cross. Help me see disobedience in my heart and life. Thank you for your mercies that are new every morning and poured out so graciously on your children. Amen.

Scriptures: Matthew 21:12-17, Mark 11:15-19

Day Two: Monday: Cleansing of the Temple – The Outrage of Injustice

The temple cleansing is one of the most dramatic events in Jesus’ short ministry. The Temple in the Holy City of Jerusalem was the center of the Jews’ religious tradition, history, and worship. That temple was recognized for its beauty across the ancient world. When Jews came to Jerusalem to observe their Passover celebration, they would purchase an animal for the required sacrifice. The poorer the family, the simpler the sacrifice would be, such as a small bird (see Luke 2:24, Mary and Joseph in the Temple with baby Jesus). The religious establishment sold doves at exorbitant prices, shrewdly cheating the poor who were forced to buy from them. They had devised a system of deceitful money exchanging since it was unlawful to purchase the sacrifice with Roman coins. Of course, their “system” was of great financial benefit to them but was an enormous expense for the common people. Their greed in preying on the poor seeking to worship God was the sin that so angered Jesus. In Matthew 21, verse 13, we read that Jesus accused the religious leaders of making God’s house “a den of thieves!” 

Their sin was not in the selling of sacrificial animals, it was the fraud intentionally perpetuated on God’s people by their own religious leaders. Jesus once again revealed the heart of God, who hates deceit, corruption, and greed. This incident should remind us of a sober truth: many evils have been done in the name of Christianity…such as the medieval Crusades, the Inquisition, and religious pogroms. Such events may have been done by people claiming to do them in God’s name, but we can be sure he had nothing to do with them. Always God’s people have been exhorted to protect the needy and oppressed, the resident alien, and the unloved. Jesus did that consistently in His interaction with men and women, showing us his love of justice and his care for the wounded, ignored, and exploited. 

Prayer for Today: Lord Jesus, I pray that my heart would be your temple, cleansed from its sin by your presence. Purify my motives and desires. “Search me, O God, and know my heart. Try me and know my anxieties, see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way” (Psalm 139:23–24). 

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer” (Psalm 19:14). Amen.

Scriptures: Matthew 21:18-22, Mark 11:20-33

Day Three: Tuesday: Questioning Jesus’ Authority—The Offense of Unbelief

In the passages for today we see two events: the withered fig tree, and the authority of Jesus being questioned by the chief priests and scribes. Peter pointed out the dead fig tree Jesus had cursed the previous day (Mark 11:12–14). This might seem like a strange story until we understand what Jesus was communicating to his disciples. Jesus responded to Peter’s observation with a short explanation of true faith. Most scholars believe Jesus was using the fig tree as a metaphor for the nation of Israel. It looked good from a distance, but upon closer inspection, it was fruitless and had no purpose for existing. The rejection of Jesus’ people and the coming destruction of Jerusalem were obviously weighing heavily on His heart. The illustration of a large mountain being cast into the sea demonstrated His point—simple, genuine faith in God can accomplish the impossible. Interesting that included in this short teaching on faith, Jesus includes a reminder (Mark 11: 25), that His followers must forgive others if we want God’s forgiveness. Clearly this is a condition for the prayer of faith.

At this time, the religious leaders were already plotting Jesus’ death. They questioned him about the nature and source of his authority (referring to his teaching and cleansing of the Temple). Mark notes several disputes brewing between Jesus and the Pharisees in his account, this being one of them. Jesus refuses to answer the leaders’ questions and instead brings up John the Baptist, thus exposing the true motive of their question. Their goal was to entrap Jesus, finding a way—any way—to condemn Him by Jewish law.

In these passages Jesus confronts unbelief. He knew people were not naturally bent toward believing God, and He mentioned this truth frequently. God had come to his people, and they not only refused to believe in him, but they vilified him! The irony.

Anselm, Archbishop of Canterbury in the 11th century, believed that simple faith was the foundation for any spiritual understanding. He said, “I do not seek to understand that I may believe, but I believe that I may understand. For this also I believe, that unless I believe, I will not understand.”

Prayer for Today: Lord, I echo the prayer of the desperate father, “Lord, I believe, help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24). What an honest prayer, and it reminds me that I, too, have such little faith. I pray that you, by the power of your Spirit, would increase my faith, and fill me with a simple trust in you. Help me not to look so much for answers to my questions, but to simply believe in you-—that you are the one and only Christ, the Lord. Amen.

Scriptures: John 12:37-50, Isaiah 53:1-6

Wednesday: Privately Worshipped, Publicly Denied—The Ache of Secret Discipleship

The apostle John wrote that despite Jesus’ numerous miracles, many disbelieved his message. Here is a hard truth: we often think if unbelievers could just experience a true miracle, they would believe. But scripture tells us otherwise. Even though there were people who saw Lazarus raised from the dead, they still did not believe, but rather began to plot Jesus’s death more earnestly! Such unbelief fulfilled the prophetic message of Isaiah 53. A note in the Nelson Study Bible about this passage says, “The consequence of repeated rejection is loss of the capacity to believe. Isaiah taught that some could not believe because God hardened their hearts after they repeatedly rejected the truth.”

On the other hand, in this passage we see those who did believe, but would not openly confess their faith. “Rulers” in the text refers to the Jewish religious leaders. The reason for their secrecy is revealed in John 12:43: “They loved the praise of people more than the praise of God.” Their position in the religious community, and the acceptance of their peers was of utmost importance to them. We may be quick to condemn them, but who of us has not done the same? Too many times, I must acknowledge, I have loved the praise of people rather than the praise of God.

It’s important, then, to see the significance of John 19:38–40, where we read that Joseph of Arimathea (a secret disciple of Christ) and Nicodemus (who came to see Jesus secretly at night) were the men willing to go to Pilate and remove Jesus’ body from the cross. They then buried Him according to Jewish law and custom. I am so grateful John included this bit of information in his Gospel. Despite the public denial of their faith in Christ, they were the ones willing to go to Pilate. They were the last ones to see Jesus’ wounds. The challenge in our reading today is this: Am I a secret disciple? Too fearful to confess Christ because of what others think? The reader can’t help but wonder how Joseph and Nicodemus felt on Sunday!

Prayer for Today: Lord, forgive me for being a secret disciple at times. It is my wretched pride that wants to glory in myself rather than in you. Help me to never be ashamed of the gospel of Christ, I know it is the power of God for salvation. May I be so filled with love for you, that I care only what you think of me. Amen.

Scripture: Matthew 26:17-56

Crucifixion – The Weight of Shame

Earlier this week, we read about how the people worshipped and praised Jesus as he rode the donkey into Jerusalem on Sunday. But now it’s Friday. 

As we consider the crucifixion, we can only imagine Jesus’ agony, as well as the suffering of his mother and his followers. Surely every dream they ever had was dying a slow, devastating death, and the sorrow and grief felt unbearable. We can ponder much in this passage, but we will concentrate on this: the shame of Calvary. 

What a dreadful emotion shame is. Jesus was stripped and nailed to a cross, a place of death for common criminals. He was subjected to the physical shame, emotional shame, and most of all the spiritual shame, as his Father turned away from the sin that Jesus bore. Jesus, the beloved Son of God, who knew such joy, love, and intimacy with his father, had to suffer the guilt of the sin of the entire world. This was the cup he had submitted to in the Garden of Gethsemane. 

What utter humiliation, shame, and disgrace for Jesus, the perfect Son of God, to hang on a cross, suspended between heaven and earth. As he was dying, people passed by, insulting him, believing he was getting exactly what he deserved—a severe punishment (see Psalm 44:15). Hebrews 12:2 says, “Jesus…who for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame….” Isaiah 50:6 records these prophetic words, “ I gave my back to those who struck me, and my cheeks to those who plucked out my beard, I did not hide my face from shame and spitting.” 

Bernard of Clairvaux, a twelfth-century monk, penned the words of the hymn, “O Sacred Head, Now Wounded.” His words poetically express his musings on the death of the Lord Jesus Christ: 

“O sacred head, now wounded 

With grief and shame weighed down 

Now scornfully surrounded, with thorns, thy only crown…” 

So often we hesitate to stop here in the crucifixion story. It’s a dark story, depressing and sorrowful. And we want to hurry on to the happy ending. But let us stay “here” today. Does Jesus’ death not deserve serious reflection on our part, since it was for us that He suffered and died? It would do us good to quietly ponder this today. 

Prayer for Today: Lord Jesus, to say “thank you” for the cross is so pitifully inadequate. There is truly no way to express enough gratefulness for your sacrifice. I see your sorrow and shame, and understand you willingly took my place. Your life was not taken, but freely given. How indescribably grateful I am for your abounding love and mercy. Amen.

Scripture: Matthew 27

Crucifixion – The Weight of Shame

Earlier this week, we read about how the people worshipped and praised Jesus as he rode the donkey into Jerusalem on Sunday. But now it’s Friday. 

As we consider the crucifixion, we can only imagine Jesus’ agony, as well as the suffering of his mother and his followers. Surely every dream they ever had was dying a slow, devastating death, and the sorrow and grief felt unbearable. We can ponder much in this passage, but we will concentrate on this: the shame of Calvary. 

What a dreadful emotion shame is. Jesus was stripped and nailed to a cross, a place of death for common criminals. He was subjected to the physical shame, emotional shame, and most of all the spiritual shame, as his Father turned away from the sin that Jesus bore. Jesus, the beloved Son of God, who knew such joy, love, and intimacy with his father, had to suffer the guilt of the sin of the entire world. This was the cup he had submitted to in the Garden of Gethsemane. 

What utter humiliation, shame, and disgrace for Jesus, the perfect Son of God, to hang on a cross, suspended between heaven and earth. As he was dying, people passed by, insulting him, believing he was getting exactly what he deserved—a severe punishment (see Psalm 44:15). Hebrews 12:2 says, “Jesus…who for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame….” Isaiah 50:6 records these prophetic words, “ I gave my back to those who struck me, and my cheeks to those who plucked out my beard, I did not hide my face from shame and spitting.” 

Bernard of Clairvaux, a twelfth-century monk, penned the words of the hymn, “O Sacred Head, Now Wounded.” His words poetically express his musings on the death of the Lord Jesus Christ: 

“O sacred head, now wounded 

With grief and shame weighed down 

Now scornfully surrounded, with thorns, thy only crown…” 

So often we hesitate to stop here in the crucifixion story. It’s a dark story, depressing and sorrowful. And we want to hurry on to the happy ending. But let us stay “here” today. Does Jesus’ death not deserve serious reflection on our part, since it was for us that He suffered and died? It would do us good to quietly ponder this today. 

Prayer for Today: Lord Jesus, to say “thank you” for the cross is so pitifully inadequate. There is truly no way to express enough gratefulness for your sacrifice. I see your sorrow and shame, and understand you willingly took my place. Your life was not taken, but freely given. How indescribably grateful I am for your abounding love and mercy. Amen.

Scriptures: Mark 15:42-47, Luke 23:50-56, John 19:8-42

Silence – The Despair of Disappointment

The morning after the crucifixion. Saturday. The disciples and followers of Jesus must have felt beyond exhausted, numbed with sorrow and devastating disappointment. What did it all mean? Wasn’t Jesus going to restore the kingdom of Israel? Wasn’t he going to right all the wrongs that had been done to his people? 

Saturday was the Jewish Sabbath, the day of rest from weekly labors. The life of Jesus was over, they thought. When we experience grief or a tragedy, we often relive it repeatedly in our minds, turning it over and over, searching for meaning. Jesus’ followers must have been haunted by the memory of Jesus’ suffering, his words at their Passover, their failure to pray with him in the Garden, his arrest, trial, their abandoning him, and his agonizing death. Pilate had posted guards, lest someone come and attempt to steal his body from the tomb. The two Marys stayed faithfully with Jesus’ body, waiting at a distance, as Joseph and Nicodemus quickly prepared his corpse for burial, according to Jewish law. 

The thoughts and feelings of Jesus’ many followers must have paralleled those later spoken by a couple on the Road to Emmaus as they conversed with their unrecognized visitor—the risen Christ: “We had so hoped he was the one…” (Luke 24:13–27). Their tone was doubtless wistful, pained with disappointment and sorrow. The death of such a glorious dream was not an easy one to endure. 

Reflect on these words today, which so profoundly express our heart’s cry—what can we do except willingly give our life to Him? 

“Alas, and did my Savior bleed, and did my Sovereign die? 

Would He devote that sacred Head for a sinner such as I? 

Was it for sins that I have done, He suffered on the tree? Amazing pity! Grace unknown! 

And love beyond degree! 

But drops of grief can ne’er repay the debt of love I owe 

Here, Lord, I give myself away, 

It’s all that I can do. 

Prayer for Today: Lord, in the silence of Holy Saturday, I bow my head in acknowledgment of the great price you have paid for salvation. Help me to meditate today on your story, especially as I have seen It unfold in the Gospels this week. Show me how to best respond to your love as I try to grasp all you have done for me. Amen. 

Scriptures: John 20, 1 Corinthians 15:3-8, 1 Corinthians 15:54-58

Sunday! The Empty Tomb —The Joy of the Resurrection!

What. A. Day. Jesus had risen from the dead, fulfilling his own prophetic words! 

It must have seemed too good to be true. At first, the disciples and other followers disbelieved—until they saw with their own eyes the risen Christ. The Gospel writers tell readers that the words and teaching Jesus spoke during his earthly ministry began to slowly make sense to the disciples. 

For the next forty days, Jesus would appear to many of his followers, teaching them, and preparing them for the next event—the coming of his Holy Spirit. His kingdom was coming on earth, but not in the way most expected. Paul summarizes Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances prior to his ascension in this passage of scripture included in today’s reading. 

Dr. N.T. Wright has written, “The cross is not a defeat, but a victory. It is the dramatic reassertion of the fact that God’s love is sovereign, that the rulers of the world do not have the last word, that the Kingdom of God has defeated the kingdom of Satan, that the kingdoms of the world have now become, in principle, the kingdom of our God and of His Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever!” Hallelujah! He is risen, indeed! 

Prayer for Today: Lord, my heart is so full of joy and praise today! Your resurrection from the dead means eternal life for those who believe. Truly your victory over death is mine—and ours—as well, as believers look toward our own death and eventual resurrection. We sing these beautiful lyrics in praise to you: 

“Christ the Lord, is risen today, Alleluia! 

Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia! 

Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia! 

Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia!