The Final Week

As Christ’s ministry came to a close, He made a decision to go back to the city. His apostles knew that going back was a death sentence for him and possibly for them. The apostle who becomes known for doubting what he should have had faith in, “Doubting Thomas”, convinces the group that it is worth it to go with Christ and die with him than to not go at all, “Let us also go that we may die with him.” Christ’s apostles were almost prepared to head up his church when he was gone. Much happened the last week of Christ’s mortal ministry.

Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5	Day 6	Day 7 (Sabbath)	Day of the Resurrection
Jesus rode through the city gates on a donkey. Those who knew him shouted “Hosanna”. Jesus went to the temple and took note of what he saw there, then retired for the night.	Jesus went back to the temple and drove the money changers from the outer courtyard, in effect challenging the Jewish leadership. “My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.	The priests of the temple found Jesus and questioned him about his authority to do the things he did the day before. Jesus publicly denounces them and condemns them. They begin to plan how to bring about Jesus’s death until one of Jesus’s own apostles offers to betray him. Jesus begins teaching only his apostles.	This day is spent outside the city. Jesus knew of the plot and of what his apostle had done. Other than that, not much is said about this day.	A house is privately prepared for Christ and his apostles to commemorate the Passover. This is his Last Supper. Jesus introduces a new ordinance, the sacrament, the prophesied that one of them in that room would betray him. Jesus took the 11 apostles still at dinner with him to the garden of gethsemane, and then took Peter, James, and John right outside where he would pray, to wait for him. He proceeded to pray and suffer for the sins of the world. Jesus was betrayed by Judas that night.	Jesus was brought to an illegal trial (the night before) and charged with blasphemy and sedition against the state. The leaders of the Jews were trying to discredit him before the Jews and then incite the crowd to order his execution. Jesus was crucified and “gave up his spirit”. Jesus’s body was removed from the cross and buried in a sealed tomb by two disciples.	Jesus’s body remained in the tomb while, in spirit, he ministered to the realm of departed spirits.	This is the day the word “gospel”, “good news”. Jesus Christ emerged from the tomb, alive, and appeared before Mary and was seen again by many. Christ was resurrected providing a way for us to be one day too.