WEEK 1: THE TRIUMPHANT ENTRY OF JESUS
When Jesus had finished his ministry in Galilee, he decided to go to Jerusalem. The purpose was to carry the gospel message to the religious capital of the Jews. Jesus and his disciple travelled through Samaria and entered Jericho. From there, they came to Bethpage, a village near Jerusalem that was situated on the slopes of the Mount of Olives.
From Bethpage, Jesus sent two of his disciples to Bethany, another village near Jerusalem, to bring a colt of an ass, which had never been driven by anyone. If they were challenged, they were to say that the Lord wanted to use it and would send it back. The disciples found the colt at Bethany and brought it to Jesus.
The disciples, and other people who had gathered, threw their garments on the colt to make a comfortable seat for Jesus, who afterwards sat on it. The people formed a procession and they began to move slowly towards Jerusalem. The people paid homage to Jesus by spreading their garments and palm fronds on the road for Jesus to ride over with the colt.
According to Matthew, Jesus riding on the colt of an ass into Jerusalem fulfilled the prophecy of Zachariah 9:9:
“Tell the daughters of Zion,
Behold, your king is coming to you,
Humble and mounted on an ass,
And on a colt, the foal of an ass.”
The people, who had gathered in Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover, were delighted at the Triumphant Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem and cried out:
“Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is coming! Hosanna in the highest.”
The word Hosanna originally meant ‘Save’ or ‘Help’ but later it came to mean ‘Praise’. So, the people were saying:
“Praise to the Messiah, Jesus Christ.”
They were happy that the Messiah and Saviour had come, and so they praised and gave thanks to God.
Some of the Pharisees among the crowd asked Jesus to silence the disciples and the people from praising and thanking God for the coming of the Messiah. But, Jesus answered:
“I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones, would cry out.”
The Pharisees were jealous at the peoples’ recognition of Jesus as the Messiah and at his Triumphant Entry.
Christians everywhere celebrate the Triumphant Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem as Palm Sunday. This great event is to show the whole world that Jesus is the Messiah of peace, who had come to bring peace into the World.
WEEK 2: THE LAST SUPPER
The Last Supper, as recorded in the Gospels of Matthew (26:17-30), Mark (14:12-26), Luke (22:7-20), and John (13:1-30), was the final meal that Jesus shared with His disciples before His crucifixion. This event took place in an upper room in Jerusalem during the Passover festival.
During the meal, Jesus took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and distributed it to His disciples, saying, "This is my body, given for you; do this in remembrance of me." Afterward, He took a cup of wine, shared it with them, and said, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you."
As they ate, Jesus also revealed that one of the disciples would betray Him. The disciples were distressed by this news and began to question who among them would do such a thing. Jesus identified Judas Iscariot as the betrayer, who then left to carry out his plan.
The Last Supper is significant not only as a farewell meal but also as the institution of the Eucharist (Holy Communion) and a foreshadowing of Jesus' imminent sacrifice on the cross.
Significance of the Last Supper
1. Institution of the Eucharist: The Last Supper established the practice of Communion, a central rite in Christian worship. Jesus’ actions of breaking bread and sharing wine became symbolic of His sacrifice, reminding believers of His body and blood.
2. New Covenant: Through the Last Supper, Jesus introduced the new covenant between God and humanity, which was based on His sacrificial death. This covenant signifies the promise of forgiveness and reconciliation with God.
3. Example of Humility and Service: In the Gospel of John, Jesus washes the disciples' feet during the Last Supper, demonstrating servant leadership and humility. This act serves as a model for Christians to serve one another in love and humility.
4. Forewarning of Betrayal: The announcement of Judas’ betrayal highlights the reality of human sinfulness and the cost of Jesus’ mission. It sets the stage for the events leading to His crucifixion and emphasizes the necessity of His sacrifice.
5. Call to Remembrance: Jesus instructed His disciples to observe the Last Supper as a way to remember Him and His sacrifice. This call to remembrance is foundational for Christian faith and practice, reminding believers of the significance of Jesus' death and resurrection.
WEEK 3: THE BETRAYAL AND ARREST OF JESUS
Jesus suffered more than any evangelist during His three and half year’s of earthly ministry. Towards the end of His ministry the persecutors did their worst, and finally His disciples betrayed and disappointed Him.
THE ARREST OF JESUS CHRIST MARK 14:26-52, MATTEW 26:47-56)
When Jesus and His disciples had finished eating. The Last Supper, they went straight to the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus had already known what would happen to Him there he told His disciples that they would run away when He would have been arrested. But, Simon Peter said no to that and promised to be with him even to the very end.
And Jesus did not hid it from Peter. He told him plainly that he would deny Him.
“But Peter said to Him, even if all are made to stumble yet, I will not be. and Jesus said to him, truly I say to you, that today even this night before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times”. (Mark 19:29-30)
But Peter spoke more vehemently saying if it meant he should die with Him, he would not hesitate to die, instead of him denying. They came to the Garden of Gethsemane and He told His disciples to sit down in a place while He would go a little to pray. He then took three of His disciples namely, Peter, James and John and Jesus was distressed.
He began to worry that one of them would betray Him. He was referring to Judas Iscariot. He left the three disciples and went a little further from them to pray. He started to pray to the heavenly father pleading if possible to remove this cup of suffering. Jesus said “Abba father, all things are possible to thee, remove this cup rom me, let not what I will but what thou wilt”. Mark 14:3-6. Really Jesus made the prayer of agony.
The cup he was referring to is the awaiting death on the cross. But despite the terrible and unbearable situation coming to be fallen on Him, He still maintained that only the will of the heavenly father should be done.
Jesus told the three disciples to be praying where He asked them to stay. He said to them, “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit truly is willing but the flesh is weak”. Mark 14:38. Meanwhile, Judas had already concluded his work by collecting money from the enemies of Jesus to show him to them. He collected the sum of thirty pieces of silver to betray the Lord Jesus Christ.
“Then Judas Iscariot His betrayer, seen that He had been condemned was remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priest and elders”. (Matthew 27:3)
Judas arrived with crowds in the Garden of Gethsemane and kissed Jesus in the darkness to show the enemies who to arrest and immediately Jesus was arrested.
Peter was ready to fight and deliver Jesus from the hands of His arresters, he drew out his sword and cut the ears of one of the servants of the high priest. But Jesus spoke against such action and he healed the cut ear immediately. Jesus answered Peter that His arrest was to fulfil the plan of God and it was to give salvation to the world.
WEEK 4: TRIAL AND PETER'S DENIAL
After the Last Supper, Jesus went to Gethsemane to pray. It was there that he was betrayed by Judas Iscariot and arrested by a large crowd sent by the chief priests and elders.
This led to his trial before the Jewish high priest, Caiaphas, and the Sanhedrin, while Peter, one of his closest disciples, denied knowing him.
Jesus' Trial Before the Sanhedrin (Matthew 26:57-68)
After his arrest, Jesus was led to the house of Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes and elders were gathered. Many false witnesses came forward, but their testimonies did not agree. Finally, the high priest asked Jesus if He was the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus affirmed it, saying, "You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven."
The high priest then tore his clothes, accusing Jesus of blasphemy, and the council condemned Him, saying He deserved death. They then spat in His face, struck Him, and mocked Him.
Peter's Denial of Jesus (Matthew 26:69-75)
While Jesus was being tried inside, Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. The events of his denial unfolded in three stages:
First Denial: A servant girl came up to Peter and said, "You also were with Jesus the Galilean." But Peter denied it before them all, saying, "I do not know what you mean."
Second Denial: When he went out to the gateway, another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, "This man was with Jesus of Nazareth." Again, Peter denied it with an oath, saying, "I do not know the man."
Third Denial: After a little while, bystanders came up and said to Peter, "Certainly you are also one of them, for your accent betrays you." Then Peter began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, "I do not know the man!" Immediately, a rooster crowed.
Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: "Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times." And he went out and wept bitterly.
WEEK FIVE: THE DEATH AND BURIAL OF JESUS (PETER’S DENIAL AND JESUS CRUCIFIXION)
(MARK 15:16-47, MATTHEW 27:45-61)
After Jesus arrest all his disciples fled. A young man named John Mark followed Jesus and he took a linen cloth and threw it to cover the body of Jesus Christ already in the hands of his enemies. They wanted to arrest Peter with Jesus and he fled. Peter followed Jesus after his arrest at a safe distance to see where they would take Him to.
Peter latter denied Jesus three times before cock crew twice and he went outside and wept bitterly. That was the sign of repentance for denying Him.
REASONS FOR PETER’S DENIAL
1. Peter denied Jesus because he was afraid to die with Jesus.
2. He thought if he identified himself with Jesus he too would be arrested.
3. He denied Jesus because he lacked the boldness and courage of the spirit of God.
4. He denied Jesus because he had not been empowered by the Holy Spirit.
5. He denied Jesus because he was over confident of himself and he relied on his physical ability and strength.
After the governor Pilate had delivered Jesus into their hands to crucify, the soldiers led him away and clothed Him with purple cloth. They twisted a crown of thorns and then put it on His head. They began to make mockery of Him by saying “Hail King of the Jews”. (Mark 15:18). They struck Him on the head with a read and spat on Him. When they had mocked Him and maltreated Him, they took the purple cloth off and put His very clothes and led Him away to be crucified.
Jesus was asked to carry His own cross to Golgotha and when he became tired, a man called Simon, a Cyrene was compelled to carry the cross for Jesus and finally they got to Golgotha and Jesus was crucified and two criminals were crucified with Him.
One was on the left hand side while the other was on the right hand side.
Both the soldiers, Jews, priest, scribers were mocking Him even the criminal at the left hand side was mocking Jesus saying “If Jesus was truly the Saviour, He would save Himself and save them”.
When it was exactly twelve noon, the darkness covered the whole land until three 0’clock in the afternoon (12noon – 3pm). When it was three 0’clock, Jesus cried with a loud voice and said “Eloi, Eloi, lama Sabacthani” which was translated to mean “My God, MY God, why have You forsaken me”. (Mark 15:34)
Those who stood by when they heard Him said Look He is calling for Elijah (mark 15:35) And Jesus cried out with aloud voice and said father into thy hands I commit my Spirit” immediately the curtain of the temple was torn into two and the centurion who was guarding him confessed and said. “Truly this man was the son of God.
Some women disciples of Jesus were in the place of crucifixion. They all sympathized with Jesus by crying, sad and wept bitterly.
After his death one man called Joseph of Arimathea a prominent council member came forward and demanded for the death of Jesus from the governor (Pontius Pilate)
His request was granted he took the body of Jesus and buried Him in a tomb belonged to him. He covered the entrance with the stone. The tomb was hewn out of the rock. The women disciples like Mary Magdalene from whom seven spirit came out, Mary the mother of James and Salome were there to see how the body of Jesus was laid.
SIGNIFICANCES OF JESUS DEATH
The death and suffering of Jesus has two major important meaning to us
1. Anybody born out of woman into this world is subject to suffering hardship, disappointment, betrayal, fear persecution and death. All this they are normal experience of life. We should be ready to face unpleasant aspect of life.
2. It was the suffering of Jesus that brought Salvation without shedding of blood there would be no removal of sins. Jesus was the sacrificial lamb that washed away the sin of the world.
WEEK SIX - EIGHT: THE BURIAL AND RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST
MTT 27:56-66, MK 15:42-47, LK 24: 50-56, JHN 19:38-42
After darkness fell on the land between the hour of 12.pm-3.00pm Jesus cried out and said “Father into your hands i commit my spirit and he gave up the ghost.
Immediately after the death of Jesus on the cross, there came a man named Joseph of Arimathea who also was Jesus secret disciple, he went to Pilate to beg for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded Jesus body to be released to him.
Joseph had a sepulchre which he had made for himself, on it no man had ever been buried, and when he had taken the body of Jesus he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth and buried Jesus in his own tomb. He covered the entrance with a stone.
The women disciples of Jesus like Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Salome were also there to see how the body of Jesus was laid.
What is Resurrection?
Resurrection is rising from dead. It is coming back of life again after Death Jesus Christ died and was buried on the third day. He resurrected from death.
Very early in the morning from the third day after death, the women disciples Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of Jesus and Salome went into the tomb. They carried spices along in order to anoint the body of Christ to preserve it from decaying.
But something wonderful happened when they gist to the tomb. The big stone rolled to cover the entrance of the tomb had been rolled away.
They began to wonder who might have come here to roll away the stone and taken away the body of Jesus Christ. Suddenly an Angel of God appeared to them, and said “Do not be amazed you seek Jesus of Nazareth who was crucified.
He has risen, He is not here see the place where they laid him But go and tell his disciple and Peter that He is going before you, to Galilee, there you will meet him as he told you. “Mark 16:6-7).
The women disciples went back to inform Peter and John ran to the tomb and found it empty. They went back inside the tomb, and sent the linen used to wrap the body of Christ. But they did not see Jesus Christ Himself. The disciples went away to their own homes.
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF RESURRECTION
1. Jesus defeated death by His resurrection from dead.
2. Jesus rejoiced over death because He is God in the nature of man.
3. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the hope of the world
4. God raised Jesus from death to eternal life. He will raise us up also from dead unto eternal life.
5. If Jesus had not rise from death Christianity is baseless, and there is no hope.
6. Other religious have no assurance where they are going, after Death.
7. The God of other religious died and remained in the grave.
WEEK NINE: THE APPEARANCES OF JESUS
Account of the Appearances of Jesus After His Resurrection
The appearances of Jesus after His resurrection are recorded in the Gospels and the Book of Acts, highlighting key encounters that reaffirm His resurrection and provide encouragement to His followers. These appearances occurred over a span of forty days and are significant for their impact on the early Christian community.
1. Mary Magdalene (John 20:11-18): Mary Magdalene was the first to encounter the risen Jesus. She went to the tomb early in the morning and found it empty. As she wept outside the tomb, Jesus appeared to her, initially unrecognized. He called her by name, and she recognized Him. Jesus instructed her to go and tell the disciples about His resurrection.
2. The Women (Matthew 28:8-10): In Matthew's account, the women who visited the tomb encountered an angel who informed them of Jesus' resurrection. On their way to tell the disciples, they met the risen Jesus, who reassured them and instructed them to inform His followers.
3. Two Disciples on the Road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35): Two disciples were walking to Emmaus, discussing the recent events surrounding Jesus' crucifixion. Jesus joined them, but they did not recognize Him. He explained the Scriptures concerning Himself and broke bread with them. Their eyes were opened, and they recognized Him just as He vanished from their sight.
4. The Disciples (John 20:19-23): Later that same day, Jesus appeared to the disciples who were gathered in a locked room for fear of the Jews. He greeted them with "Peace be with you," showed them His wounds, and breathed on them, giving them the Holy Spirit. He reassured them and commissioned them to continue His work.
5. Thomas (John 20:24-29): Thomas, one of the twelve apostles, was not present during Jesus' first appearance to the disciples. When the others told him about the resurrection, he expressed doubt. A week later, Jesus appeared again, specifically addressing Thomas' doubts by inviting him to touch His wounds. Thomas then proclaimed, "My Lord and my God!"
6. The Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20): Jesus appeared to the eleven disciples on a mountain in Galilee and gave them the Great Commission, instructing them to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to obey all His commands.
7. Final Appearance and Ascension (Acts 1:9-11): Jesus' last recorded appearance was when He led the disciples to the Mount of Olives, where He ascended into heaven. Before His ascension, He promised the disciples that they would receive the Holy Spirit and be His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
Significance of the Appearances of Jesus
The post-resurrection appearances of Jesus carry profound significance for several reasons:
1. Confirmation of the Resurrection: The various encounters with Jesus serve as undeniable evidence of His resurrection. They affirm His victory over death and validate the truth of His promises, reinforcing the belief that He is indeed the Son of God.
2. Strengthening of Faith: The appearances were crucial for the disciples, who were initially filled with fear and doubt. By revealing Himself, Jesus strengthened their faith and transformed them from fearful followers into bold witnesses of the Gospel.
3. Fulfillment of Promises: The appearances fulfilled Jesus' predictions about His resurrection, as seen in passages like Matthew 16:21 and Luke 18:31-33. This underscores the faithfulness of God in fulfilling His promises
