In 2014 I had the incredible experience of being in Israel with our church. We ended our last day full day in Israel at the Mount of Olives & Garden of Gethsemane. History was made 2,000 years ago this week, and what a week it was.

He, Jesus, knew it was His last week on earth. There was much to be done. (I will be using the Fire Bible’s Notes as a guide and reference.)

• It started on Friday when “Jesus arrived in Bethany six days before Passover to spend some time with His friends, Mary, Martha and Lazarus.” “Mary anointed His (Jesus) feet with costly perfume as an act of humility.” This tender expression indicated Mary’s devotion to Jesus & her willingness to serve Him. [John 12; Matt 26; Mark 14]

• Saturday (the Sabbath) – It was the day of rest and there are no mentions of activities in the Gospels.

• Sunday – This is the day we call Palm Sunday. “On this first day of the week Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, fulfilling an ancient prophecy (Zech 9:9). The crowd welcomed Him with “Hosanna” and the words of Psalm 118:25-26, thus ascribing to Him a Messianic title as the agent of the Lord, the coming King of Israel.” [Matt 21; Mark 11; Luke 19; John 12]

• Monday – “On this day He (Jesus) returned to the temple and found the court of the Gentiles full of traders & money changers making a large profit as they gave out Jewish coins in exchange for pagan money. Jesus drove them out & overturned the tables. [Matt 21; Mark 11; Luke 19]
• Tuesday – “In Jerusalem Jesus evaded the traps set by the priest. On the Mount of Olives (see picture) overlooking Jerusalem-He taught in parables & warned the people against the Pharisees. He predicted the destruction of Herod’s great temple & told His Disciples about future events, including His own return. [Matt 21-22 & 24; Mark 11-13; Luke 20-21]

• Wednesday – There are no mentions of activities in the Gospels.

• Thursday – “In  an upper room Jesus prepared both Himself and the Disciples for His death.” This was Passover, the “Last Supper” that dates to Exodus 12. It is the Blood of the Lamb that saves us from death and the sacrifice of the lamb so our sins are forgiven. Following the Last Supper “they went to the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed in agony, knowing what lay ahead for Him. [Matt 26; Mark 14; Luke 22; John 13]

• Friday – In the dark of night Jesus was betrayed, arrested, tried in a kangaroo court, condemned, beaten, mocked, and even had to carry His own wooden cross to His death. So many powerful things happened at the cross. One of my favorites is the interaction found in Luke 23:40-43, between Jesus and the thief on one of the other cross. “Every Soul Matters To God!” We see the broken heart of Jesus dying on the cross cry out “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34. [Matt 26-27; Mark 14-15; Luke 22-23; John 18 -19]

• Friday – Jesus was placed in a borrowed tomb before dark on Friday. Because the Sabbath begins at dark all work had to be stopped and the preparation of the body would resume following the Sabbath. [Matt 27; Mark 15; Luke 23; John 19]

• Sunday – Easter. “Early in the morning women went to the tomb & found that the stone closing the tomb’s entrance had been rolled back.” An angel told them Jesus was alive and gave them a message. Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene in the garden, to Peter, to 2 disciples on the road to Emmaus and later that day to all the disciples but Thomas. His resurrection was established as fact. [Matthew 28; Mark 16; John 20]

So, how has your week gone? What would you do differently if this were your last week on earth?