April 11, 2014 (Friday )
This Sunday will be Palm Sunday, a celebration of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem to begin the week that Christians call, “Holy Week.”
After making his presence known and briefly visiting the Temple areas, he and his disciples spent the night in Bethany at the home of Lazarus, Mary and Martha.
On Monday, Jesus went to Jerusalem again and entered the Temple, driving out the money changers, merchants and animals, saying “It is written, ‘my house shall be called a place of prayer’ but you have made it a den of thieves.”
On Tuesday, Jesus went back to the Temple, where the Scribes, Pharisees and Sadducees awaited him, thinking they could turn the crowds against him by posing questions he could not answer, but Jesus in His wisdom answered them in such a way that they looked foolish to the onlookers.
On Wednesday, Jesus remained in Bethany, while Judas made a deal with the religious leaders to betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver.
On Thursday, Jesus met with his disciples in an upper room in Jerusalem to observe the Passover meal, during which he washed their feet, teaching them humility and servanthood, and afterwards instituted “The Lord’s Supper.” He taught them and prayed with them as they left the house and walked to the Garden of Gethsemane, where he prayed, “Not my will, but yours be done.”
On Friday, at Gethsemane, Judas came, betraying Jesus with a kiss, and pointing him out to the crowd that came to arrest him. He was taken to six different trials before Jews and Romans, and by 9:00 a.m. was nailed to a cross. He died after six hours, was taken down from the cross and hastily prepared for burial in a tomb. A great stone was placed over the door.
Saturday was the Sabbath. All rested and were inactive, obeying Sabbath law.
On Sunday morning, Mary Magdalene and other women visited the tomb and found that the stone had been removed. Mary looked inside the tomb and saw that Jesus was not there. They ran to the disciples and Peter and John came to find angels announcing, “He is risen!” After their departure, Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene, calling her by name, and she quickly went to others, sharing the good news.
Jesus made at least 11 appearances during the following weeks. At the final appearance, he ascended into Heaven. He instructed his followers to pray and fast in Jerusalem as they awaited the promised power of the Holy Spirit, which fell on them on the Day of Pentecost. They preached the gospel in other languages, and all those in Jerusalem from many places in the world heard it. At least 3000 people believed and were baptized on that day.
And so it began.
Click here to go to About.com for a complete detailed account with beautiful illustrations.