The Passion Week

Six days before Passover, Jesus came to Bethany…John 12:1

All the homes in Israel would be preparing for Passover. They would be cleaning every home of all leaven. Passover included three feasts. Passover, Unleavened Bread, and First Fruits. It was an eight-day celebration in all of Israel. Jerusalem would have been crowded with visitors from all nations. For it was a commandment that all adult males be in Jerusalem for Passover. Not everyone could attend, but they would celebrate wherever they lived. Passover was a very big deal.

The next day Jesus entered Jerusalem, Verse 12. The people sang and shouted Hosanna! Jesus rode on a young donkey. All of which was predicted by the Prophets. The king has arrived. Just as predicted by the Prophets. For nothing was done by God that He had not revealed first to His Prophets, Amos 3:7: Surely the Lord God does nothing unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets. God has declared the end from the beginning, Isaiah 46:10 and 48:3, and 48:5. For this reason we stand without excuse before our Merciful God.

Jesus enters Jerusalem as God’s Passover Lamb. He arrives on the same day the high priest selects his Passover lamb for the nation of Israel. Even so, God’s Lamb who takes away the sin of the world enters just as God said He would: on the back of a donkey colt.

As the high priest’s lamb is inspected for any flaws, Jesus is judged by the leadership for flaws. In the case of Jesus, none were found. For Jesus was righteous in all His ways. Nonetheless, Jesus would be crucified for the sins of the world, just as God said He would.

Jesus is buried just as the Feast of Unleavened Bread was to officially begin. The real bread of life without sin or blemish, truly without leaven, was hidden in the grave. Just as God said He would be. But just as God said, Jesus rose from the grave on the third day. On the day after the Sabbath. On the first day of the week. On the day of First Fruits. Just as God said He would.

This we celebrate on Resurrection Day. But not only one day a year. But every day when we say thank you to God the Father for our new life in God the Son and the gift of God the Spirit. Again, we say, He is not dead. He is risen! Truly a week of God’s passion, mercy, and grace!