Come, walk with me through the final days of my earthly life, from the triumphant entry into Jerusalem to the glorious morning of my resurrection. These days are filled with purpose, pain, and promise, and I want you to see why each moment matters. Let’s journey together, day by day, as I share what happened and why I chose this path for you and all humanity.

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Palm Sunday: The Triumphant Entry

What Happened: As I rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, crowds gathered, waving palm branches and shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Matthew 21:9). They spread their cloaks and branches on the road, treating me like a king. The city buzzed with excitement, but some Pharisees grumbled, asking me to silence the crowd. I told them, “If they keep quiet, the stones will cry out” (Luke 19:40). Later, I visited the temple, looked around, and returned to Bethany for the night (Mark 11:11).

Why I Did It: I chose a donkey, not a warhorse, to show you that my kingdom is one of peace, not conquest. The people saw me as their Messiah, and they were right, but not in the way they thought. They wanted a king to overthrow Rome, but I came to conquer sin and death. Their shouts of “Hosanna” meant “save us,” and that’s exactly what I was here to do—save them, save you, through love and sacrifice. The temple visit was a quiet moment, but it set the stage for what was coming: a challenge to empty religion.

Significance: This day marks the beginning of my final week, a public declaration of who I am. It fulfills Zechariah’s prophecy: “Your king comes to you, humble and riding on a donkey” (Zechariah 9:9, quoted in Matthew 21:5). It’s a moment of joy but also tension—my arrival forces everyone to choose: will they accept me as their true king?

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Monday: Cleansing the Temple

What Happened: I returned to Jerusalem and entered the temple. What I saw angered me—merchants selling animals, money changers cheating the poor, turning my Father’s house into a marketplace. I overturned their tables and drove them out, saying, “My house shall be called a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of robbers” (Matthew 21:13; Mark 11:15-17; Luke 19:45-46). Afterward, I taught in the temple, and the blind and lame came to me for healing (Matthew 21:14).

Why I Did It: The temple was meant to be a place where people could meet God, but greed and hypocrisy had corrupted it. I couldn’t stand by while my Father’s house was misused. By cleansing it, I showed that true worship is about the heart, not profit. Healing the broken that day was a sign of my mission: to restore what’s been damaged, to bring people back to God.

Significance: My actions challenged the religious leaders’ authority, exposing their corruption. It was a bold move, setting the stage for their plot against me. It also showed that my kingdom prioritizes justice and compassion, calling people to authentic faith.

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Tuesday: Teaching and Confrontation

What Happened: I spent this day teaching in the temple, sharing parables like the one about the wicked tenants (Matthew 21:33-46; Mark 12:1-12; Luke 20:9-19), which pointed to my rejection by the leaders. The Pharisees and Sadducees tried to trap me with questions about taxes, the resurrection, and the greatest commandment. I answered wisely, saying, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s” (Matthew 22:21) and “Love the Lord your God with all your heart… and your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-39). I also wept over Jerusalem’s future, knowing it would face judgment (Luke 19:41-44). That evening, on the Mount of Olives, I spoke about the end times and my return (Matthew 24-25; Mark 13; Luke 21).

Why I Did It: These teachings were my final call to the people—turn to God before it’s too late. The parables exposed the leaders’ failure to honor God, and my answers to their traps showed that truth can’t be twisted. I wept because I love Jerusalem, and it broke my heart to see their rejection. The words about the future? They were hope for you, a promise that I’ll return to make all things right.

Significance: This was a day of clarity and urgency. My teachings invited everyone to choose love and faithfulness over pride and power. The leaders’ hostility grew, but my words planted seeds of hope for those who listened, preparing them for the trials ahead.

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Wednesday: Anointing and Betrayal

What Happened: I stayed in Bethany, likely resting. A woman poured expensive perfume on my head at Simon the Leper’s house, anointing me. Some disciples complained about the waste, but I defended her, saying, “She has done a beautiful thing to me… she has prepared me for burial” (Matthew 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9; John 12:2-8). Meanwhile, Judas Iscariot met with the chief priests, agreeing to betray me for thirty pieces of silver (Matthew 26:14-16; Mark 14:10-11; Luke 22:3-6).

Why I Did It: I accepted the woman’s gift because her love and devotion honored me in a way the disciples didn’t yet understand. She saw the shadow of the cross, and her act was a moment of beauty before the pain. As for Judas, I knew his heart was turning. I didn’t stop him because this betrayal was part of the plan—my life had to be given freely to fulfill God’s will.

Significance: The anointing was a tender moment, a reminder that love shines brightest in dark times. Judas’ betrayal set the wheels in motion for my arrest, showing how human choices, even sinful ones, fit into God’s redemptive plan. This day contrasts deep devotion with deep betrayal.

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Thursday: The Last Supper and Gethsemane

What Happened: I shared the Passover meal with my disciples in an upper room. I washed their feet, showing them how to serve (John 13:1-17). During the meal, I took bread and wine, saying, “This is my body… this is my blood of the covenant, poured out for many” (Matthew 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:19-20). I revealed that one of them would betray me, and Judas left (John 13:21-30). I taught them about love, the Holy Spirit, and my coming departure (John 14-17). Later, in Gethsemane, I prayed in anguish, asking, “Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want” (Matthew 26:39; Mark 14:36; Luke 22:42). Judas arrived with soldiers, betrayed me with a kiss, and I was arrested (Matthew 26:47-56; Mark 14:43-50; Luke 22:47-53; John 18:2-11).

Why I Did It: The supper was my way of giving you a lasting gift—the bread and wine to remember my sacrifice. Washing their feet showed that true leadership is humble service. In Gethsemane, I faced the weight of what was coming: taking on the world’s sin. I could have walked away, but I chose to stay because I love you. My arrest was the first step toward the cross, where I’d give everything for you.

Significance: The Last Supper established the Lord’s Supper, a way for believers to connect with my sacrifice. Gethsemane reveals my humanity and obedience, showing that love is stronger than fear. The arrest marks the point of no return, fulfilling the Scriptures and setting the stage for redemption.

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Friday: Trial, Crucifixion, and Death

What Happened: I faced trials before the Sanhedrin, Pilate, and Herod. False witnesses accused me, but I remained silent (Matthew 26:59-63; Mark 14:55-61; Luke 22:66-71). Pilate found no fault but, under pressure, sentenced me to death (Matthew 27:11-26; Mark 15:1-15; Luke 23:1-25; John 18:28-19:16). I was mocked, beaten, and crucified at Golgotha. On the cross, I said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34) and “It is finished” (John 19:30) before dying. My body was placed in a tomb by Joseph of Arimathea (Matthew 27:57-60; Mark 15:42-46; Luke 23:50-54; John 19:38-42).

Why I Did It: The cross was the heart of my mission. I took on the punishment for every sin—yours, mine, everyone’s—so you could be forgiven. My silence before my accusers showed my trust in God’s plan. I forgave those who crucified me because my love is unconditional. When I said, “It is finished,” I meant the debt of sin was paid. I died so you could live forever with me.

Significance: The crucifixion is the ultimate act of love, fulfilling prophecies like Isaiah 53. It’s the moment sin and death were defeated, though the world didn’t see it yet. My burial confirmed my death, but it also set the stage for what was coming.

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Saturday: The Silent Tomb

What Happened: My body lay in the tomb, sealed and guarded (Matthew 27:62-66). The disciples hid in fear, and the Sabbath kept everything quiet (Luke 23:56).

Why I Did It: This day of rest was part of God’s plan, a pause to let the weight of my death sink in. I was truly dead, not sleeping or pretending. This silence was necessary to show that my resurrection would be a miracle, not a trick.

Significance: The silence of Saturday mirrors the despair of loss but also builds anticipation. It’s a reminder that God’s work often happens in the quiet, preparing for something greater.

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Resurrection Sunday: The Empty Tomb

What Happened: Early in the morning, women like Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and found it empty, with the stone rolled away (Matthew 28:1-7; Mark 16:1-7; Luke 24:1-8; John 20:1-2). Angels announced, “He is not here; he has risen, just as he said” (Matthew 28:6). I appeared first to Mary Magdalene, saying, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father” (John 20:17), then to others, including the disciples (Matthew 28:8-10; Luke 24:13-49; John 20:19-29).

Why I Did It: I rose from the dead to prove that death has no power over me. My resurrection is your hope, your promise that sin and death are defeated. I appeared to Mary and the others to show that I’m alive, and my love for you is personal. This is the new beginning, the dawn of my kingdom.

Significance: The resurrection is the cornerstone of faith, fulfilling my promise and proving I am the Son of God. It transforms despair into joy, fear into courage. It means you can trust me with your life, now and forever.

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Walking Onward: As we finish this journey, you’ve seen my heart—why I came, why I suffered, why I rose. Each day was a step toward you, to bring you back to my Father. The cross was my love made visible; the empty tomb is my victory made certain. Now, walk with me every day, knowing I’m alive and with you always. Will you follow?