The Passion Week of Christ: A Celebration of Easter
There is nothing more important than to understand what God was accomplishing and giving to us in the death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ. Yet, head knowledge of what Jesus Christ offers to us is not enough. Jesus Himself tells His disciples in Matthew 16:24-25: “If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of me will find it.”
In some ways it seems incongruous to be celebrating what occurred during the Passion Week: persecution, trials, suffering, false accusations, bribery, treachery, and crucifixion of an innocent man. Our joy comes in remembering what all of that accomplished, as Christ arose from the grave on that Sunday. Paul, in 1 Corinthians 15:17, reminds us of the importance of that event: “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless: you are still in your sins.”
In this study we will follow some of the steps of Jesus in that final week, remembering with joy and thanksgiving all that He did for us.
Study Questions
The Triumphal Entry
1. Read John 12:12-19. Describe what occurred in these verses. See Zechariah 9:9 where this prophecy was first given.
Jesus in Jerusalem
2. As Jesus arrived in Jerusalem, where did He go and what did He do, according to Luke 19:45-48? What was the reaction of the chief priests and scribes?
3. According to Luke 22:1-6, what solution came to the priests and scribes to carry out their evil intentions?
Passover and the Last Supper
4. Read Matthew 26:17-31 and answer the following questions.
a. From Matthew 26:17, what was the question the disciples asked Jesus?
b. From Matthew 26:18 (more details in Luke 22:7-13), what did Jesus answer?
c. What did Jesus reveal in Matthew 26:21 and 26:31?
After the Passover Meal
5. According to Matthew 26:36 and Mark 14:32, where did Jesus and His disciples go after the Passover meal?
In The Garden of Gethsemane
6. What did Jesus pray in the garden, according to Mark 14:36?
7. In what ways does Jesus’ prayer provide a model for our own prayers today?
8. According to Luke 9:22 and 9:43-45, how well did Jesus’ disciples understand what Jesus told them: that He would be rejected, killed, and rise up from the dead?
9. Read Mark 14:43-46. How was Jesus betrayed in the garden and what was the result?
10. In Mark 14:48, Jesus identifies the irrationality of those who arrested Him. Why was it unreasonable? What did Jesus give as the reason for it to happen the way it did?
After Jesus’ Arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane
The gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John all give us details of what occurred after Jesus was arrested in Gethsemane. All of His disciples deserted Him (Mark 14:50). Jesus’ first trial was before the Jewish Sanhedrin (Matthew 26:57-59), the ruling council of the Jewish nation. They acted on false testimony given before them to legitimize what they had already decided to do: kill Jesus (Mark 14:55-56). Because the Jews were not permitted under Roman law to put anyone to death, the Sanhedrin led Jesus to trial before the Roman Governor Pilate (Matthew 27:1-2). Learning that Jesus was a Galilean, Pilate referred Jesus to Herod who was in Jerusalem at the time, as Galilee was in his jurisdiction (Luke 23:6-7). After abusing Jesus, Herod returned Him to Pilate (Luke 23:11).
Governor Pilate’s Actions
11. According to Luke 23:20-22, what was Pilate’s judgement about the guilt of Jesus?
12. After Pilate’s questioning of Jesus, he wanted to release Him. Read Mark 15:12-20 and answer the following:
a. What was the reaction of the Jews?
b. How did the soldiers treat Jesus before leading Him out to Golgotha to be crucified?
Jesus on the Cross
13. Read Luke 23:44-49 and John 19:28-30 for the account of Jesus’ final moments on the cross. As you meditate on these, what stands out in your mind?
14. As you reflect on these terrible, painful events that occurred on that Friday when Christ was crucified, why do you think it is referred to today as “Good Friday”?
Sunday Morning
15. Read Luke 24:1-9. What was the glorious discovery on the first day of the week, according to Luke’s account?
16. Read 1 Corinthians 15:1-8 for the account of Christ’s resurrection by the Apostle Paul.
a. What reason does he give for Christ’s death and resurrection? (Verse 3b)
b. What evidence does he give as verification of Christ’s resurrection? (Verses 5-8)
17. Read Isaiah 53 and meditate on how it applies to the events of Passion Week. What stands out to you?