Theme for April 10-17, 2022: Holy Week (Passion Week)
PREVIEW OF HOLY WEEK
Tomorrow will be Palm Sunday, a celebration of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem to begin the week that Christians call, “Holy Week.”Some know it as “Passion 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 Saducees 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. From the Temple, Jesus went out to the Mount of Olives, where He taught about things to come, and shared many parables before returning to Bethany.
On Wednesday, Jesus remained in Bethany, while Judas made a deal with the religious leaders to betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. At a dinner in Jesus’ honor, Mary anointed Jesus with expensive perfume, wiping His feet with her hair. Jesus accepted her kindness, saying she anointed Him for burial. (Bible scholars place this event earlier in the week).
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 moved from the entrance. 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 later 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.
Whenever I hear “I Walked Today Where Jesus Walked,” I feel as though I were there, following in the footsteps of Jesus, and drawing close to Him in my heart and soul. Here is George Beverly Shea, singing this great composition, and inviting us to walk with Jesus, followed by Danny Gaither, the great tenor. Both men are now walking with Jesus in Heaven. The third rendition by Carroll Roberson is beautiful.
And here is Danny Gaither with his beautiful tenor voice:
Carroll Roberson sings as he walks through the places named in the song: