Seven Days That Changed Everything
Some Biblical Thoughts About The Last Week Of Jesus
It must’ve been an incredible view!
The Savior stood on the Mount of Olives, a mere two miles away from Jerusalem at an elevation of 2,600 feet. The morning sun was washing over the Holy City, and a gentle breeze danced through the trees. All of creation sighed under the weight of what was to come. Jesus stood in the hush of dawn, his gaze fixed with divine purpose on the beautiful city before him.
Jerusalem was beginning to stir, and the streets filled with merchants, residents, and travelers carrying out their daily tasks. The impressive white temple walls gleamed in the sunlight. The Lord knew what lay ahead.
He would soon ride into Jerusalem, not with a sword or might, but with surrender and mercy. He would be met with excitement and praise, only to be rejected in hatred and jealousy. Palm branches would wave to welcome him, while a crown of thorns awaited him in secret. And yet he stood overlooking the city, and his face did not turn away. Love carried him onward. Love held the course. Love moved him to face the suffering, take the nails, and fulfill the eternal plan of God.
So Jesus left the Mount of Olives and traveled onward to Jerusalem. And so began the final week of Jesus—seven days that changed everything!
About the Last Week of Jesus
The final week of Jesus is recorded in each of the four gospel accounts (cf. Matthew 21–28; Mark 11–16; Luke 19:28–24:53; John 12–20). When these narratives are combined, we have a total of 29 chapters and 1,208 verses describing the final week of Jesus. This week is commonly referred to as “Passion Week” or “Holy Week,” and it stretches from Sunday to Sunday. It all began with Jesus triumphantly entering Jerusalem on Sunday. Passion Week climaxed with the Savior’s crucifixion at Golgotha on Friday. This incredible week concluded with the Lord’s triumphant resurrection from the dead on Sunday morning. Wednesday is the only day of the week not recorded by the gospel writers, meaning it was likely a day of rest and preparation for the Son of God.
The impact of Passion Week cannot be overstated. Jesus literally came to this earth for this moment. He lived his life with his “hour” (i.e., the appointed time for his suffering, death, and glorification) always before him (cf. John 2:4; 7:30; 8:20). The last week of Jesus marked the beginning of the Lord’s hour—it was finally time for the Savior to fulfill the mission of God (cf. John 12:23, 27; 13:1; 16:32; 17:1). The final week of Jesus cleared the way to the cross and opened the door for man’s salvation. While this week ended with pain, suffering, and death, these events reached into the past and into the future, providing atonement for the sins of humanity. Jesus accomplished what no one else could—he defeated sin, Satan, and death, becoming the sin sacrifice to satisfy the demands of God and save the souls of men.
The final week of Jesus overflows with lessons to be learned. The words and actions of Jesus during Passion Week still speak to us today, and they challenge us in our daily walk with God. Here are a few lessons we can learn from our Savior in those final days of his ministry:
Stay Focused on God’s Mission
Jesus was born with a mission, and the Savior kept this mission before him each and every step of the way. As the Lord entered Jerusalem and embarked upon this final week of life, he understood well what painful experiences awaited him. He knew the betrayal, the suffering, and the agony of the cross he would endure. But he never lost sight of his purpose or backed away from his calling. Jesus stayed committed to doing the will of the Father, and he teaches us to stay fixed and focused also. We will certainly face our fair share of hardships and challenges in this life, but we can’t let those trials stop us from doing what God has called us to do.
Love People When It’s Hard
Luke 19:41–44 finds Jesus beginning this week shedding tears over Jerusalem. John 13 depicts Jesus washing the feet of his disciples, including the dusty feet of Judas, knowing he would soon walk away to betray him. He shared the Last Supper with his disciples, knowing they would betray, abandon, and deny him. Even in agony on the cross, Jesus prayed for the forgiveness of his accusers (Luke 23:34). The Lord’s love never grew cold. He kept loving and showing grace, even to those who wronged him. Our Savior’s example challenges us to choose love also—especially when it’s hard.
Pray About Your Struggles
The final week of Jesus takes us to Gethsemane, when the Lord’s cries and prayers broke through the silence of the garden. Luke 22:44 describes him “being in agony” and how “he prayed more earnestly.” Even though Jesus understood the mission he came to fulfill, he was still human. The Lord prayed with deep anguish, asking the Father if the cup of his suffering could be removed. Yet he prayed with surrender: “not my will, but yours, be done” (Luke 22:42). While Jesus still had to go to the cross, the Father heard his petitions and strengthened his Son. God welcomes our prayers too. He hears our cries and knows our pains. Pray about your struggles, and learn to trust the plan of God, even when it’s painful.
Endure Suffering With Grace
The final week of Jesus finds him facing false accusations, rejection, beatings, humiliation, torture, and even death. He faced injustice like nobody before him or after him. The Savior was subject to unimaginable hatred and cruel mistreatment. But he never retaliated. He never fired back with hurtful words or actions of revenge. Jesus chose to suffer with grace, trusting the plan of God each painful step of the way. He left us an example to follow. We are called to endure pain, injustice, and wrongs without hatred or retaliation (1 Peter 2:13–25). We must put away all bitterness and revenge, leaving it to the wrath of God (Romans 12:17–21).
Conclusion
As we look back over the final week of Jesus’ life, we are reminded that these events were not just historical moments to admire and study—they are meant to shape the way we live every day. The final week of Jesus is not one of defeat—it’s one of victory. The cross and the empty tomb aren’t the end of the story—they’re the beginning of a transformed life that we can live and an eternity we can enjoy with God forevermore. These were seven days that changed everything. May the lessons Jesus taught us during this week impact us forever, helping us walk in his footsteps until we see him face to face.