Introduction
Jesus’s ministry lasted around five years. He spent this time travelling around Galilee and further south, through Samaria and into Judea, teaching and performing miracles. His mission took him ultimately to Jerusalem and the last week of his life
The Triumphal Entry
The last week of his life started with his Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem. This is when he rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, and the crowds of people waved palm branches and laid their cloaks down before him.
The Triumphal Entry is important because it fulfilled an Old Testament messianic prophecy that the Messiah would enter Jerusalem in this humble and peaceful way.
People waved palm branches and spread their cloaks on the road, shouting “Hosanna!” which means “save us.” This showed that they recognised Jesus as their saviour and as the Messiah.
However, the Triumphal Entry also marked the beginning of the events leading to Jesus’ crucifixion.
Monday - Jesus cleanses the temple by driving out the money changers.
Tuesday - Jesus teaches in the temple and on the Mount of Olives.
Wednesday - Judas agrees to betray Jesus.
Thursday - the Last Supper and Jesus’ arrest.
Friday - Jesus is tried and executed by crucifixion.
Saturday - Jesus’ body lays in the tomb.
Sunday - Jesus rises from the dead (resurrection).
The Last Supper
Jesus has travelled to Jerusalem to celebrate Pesach, and on the Thursday evening he shared the Passover meal with his disciples. This was to be the final meal he would share with his followers, hence it is called the Last Supper.
At the start of the meal, Jesus washed his disciples’ feet, demonstrating humility and teaching them to serve others. He then shared bread and wine with his disciples, symbolising his body and blood, and instructed them to continue this practice in remembrance of him. This act is the basis for the Christian practice of Holy Communion (also called Mass, or the Eucharist).
During the meal, Jesus predicted that one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, would betray him. Jesus also gave his disciples the New Commandment: to love one another as he loved them.
Crucifixion
After the Passover meal, Jesus and the disciples went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. It was here that Judas Iscariot led the authorities so that they could arrest Jesus and put him on trial.
Jesus was charged with claiming to be the “King of the Jews”, and despite being found not guilty by the Roman authorities led by Pontius Pilate, he is taken to Calvary (just outside the city walls), mocked and humiliated, and finally executed by the Romans using the method of crucifixion.
Then the soldiers used thorny branches to make a crown. They put this crown of thorns on Jesus’ head. … Then the soldiers bowed before Jesus and made fun of him. They said, “Hail, King of the Jews!” They spat on Jesus. … Then they led Jesus away to be killed on a cross. (Matthew 27)
In so dying, Christians believe that Jesus fulfilled the suffering servant messianic prophecy made by the Old Testament prophet Isaiah, who had predicted that the Messiah would suffer and die because of the sins of others:
He was wounded and crushed because of our sins … He was condemned to death without a fair trial. Who could have imagined what would happen to him? His life was taken away because of the sinful things my people had done. (Isaiah 53)
Resurrection
However, Christians believe that the death of Jesus was not the end. Three days after the Crucifixion, on Sunday, Jesus was resurrected - he came back to life physically on Earth. This is perhaps the most significant event in the whole story as it shows Jesus’ triumph over death. It is so important that 20th century German theologian Jürgen Moltmann stated that without the Resurrection, there would be no Christianity at all.
The resurrected Jesus first appeared to Mary Magdalene, one of his close followers. And then, over the next few days he showed himself to his disciples and other followers, confirming to them that he was truly resurrected. Jesus remained on Earth for forty days after his resurrection, and instructed his disciples to continue to spread the Christian message. This is referred to as the Great Commission. In Matthew’s Gospel (chapter 28), Jesus is reported as having said,
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.
Ascension
Forty days after his resurrection, Jesus ascended into Heaven. Luke’s Gospel tells of how Jesus gathered his disciples, blessed them, and then rose up into the sky.
The Ascension shows Jesus returning to God and marks the end of his physical life on Earth.
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