Easter is the most important holiday on the Christian calendar. It celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead after his crucifixion. This event is the foundation of the Christian faith, as the resurrection confirms Jesus’ divinity and proves that he has defeated sin and death once and for all. For Christians, Easter represents hope, redemption, and the promise of eternal life.
In the weeks leading up to Easter, many Christians observe a period of preparation and reflection known as Lent. This typically involves fasting, prayer, and study of Scripture. To guide this season of spiritual growth, some develop or follow Lenten reading plans that focus on Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.
If you are looking for guidance on what to read and reflect upon on the 17th day of an Easter or Lenten reading plan, here are some key Scripture passages and themes to focus on:
The Plot to Kill Jesus
In the days leading up to his crucifixion, Jesus was hated and feared by the religious leaders of his day. They saw him as a threat to their power and plotted to have him arrested and killed. Key passages include:
- Matthew 26:1-5, 14-16 – The plot to kill Jesus after Passover.
- Luke 22:1-6 – Judas agrees to betray Jesus.
- John 11:45-53 – The high priest Caiaphas plots Jesus’ death.
Reflect upon the jealousy, hatred, and hardness of heart that drove the religious leaders to condemn an innocent man.
The Last Supper
On the night before his death, Jesus shared a final meal with his disciples. This Passover meal came to be known as the Last Supper. Important passages include:
- Matthew 26:17-30 – Preparations for the Last Supper and establishment of Communion.
- Mark 14:12-26 – Jesus predicts his betrayal and institutes the Lord’s Supper.
- Luke 22:7-23 – The Last Supper and first Communion.
- John 13 – Jesus washes his disciples’ feet and predicts his betrayal.
Reflect upon Jesus’ sacrificial love and desire to leave his followers with a way to remember him.
Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial
At the Last Supper, Jesus predicted that his disciple Peter would deny him three times before the rooster crowed. Important passages include:
- Matthew 26:31-35 – Jesus foretells the disciples’ scattering and Peter’s denial.
- Mark 14:27-31 – Peter declares he will not fall away.
- Luke 22:31-34 – Jesus predicts Peter will deny him three times.
- John 13:36-38 – Jesus foretells Peter’s three denials.
Reflect upon Peter’s confidence in his own ability versus his eventual failure and repentance. We all need humility.
Jesus Prays in Gethsemane
After the Last Supper, Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. He was in great emotional distress and agony as he contemplated his coming crucifixion and bearing of sin. Key passages include:
- Matthew 26:36-46 – Jesus prays for the cup to pass, but submits to the Father’s will.
- Mark 14:32-42 – Jesus is deeply troubled and prays for the hour to pass.
- Luke 22:39-46 – Jesus prays in anguish and receives strength from an angel.
Reflect on Jesus’ humanity in this moment of fear and agony. Also consider his perfect submission to the Father’s plan.
The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus
After time in prayer, Jesus was betrayed by Judas and arrested by the authorities. Important passages include:
- Matthew 26:47-56 – Judas betrays Jesus with a kiss. Jesus is arrested.
- Mark 14:43-52 – Judas leads the crowd to arrest Jesus.
- Luke 22:47-53 – Judas betrays Jesus, Peter cuts off a man’s ear.
- John 18:1-11 – Judas leads the soldiers to Gethsemane, Peter cuts off Malchus’s ear.
Reflect on this unjust betrayal and arrest, and Jesus’ willingness to submit for our sake.
Jesus Before the Sanhedrin
After his arrest, Jesus was hauled before the Sanhedrin, or ruling council, for an illegal night trial. Key passages include:
- Matthew 26:57-68 – The Sanhedrin seeks false testimony against Jesus.
- Mark 14:53-65 – Jesus faces false accusations from the chief priests and council.
- Luke 22:63-71 – Jesus acknowledges he is the Christ and is condemned.
- John 18:12-14, 19-24 – Jesus before Annas and Caiaphas.
Reflect on the mockery of justice in this sham trial before the Sanhedrin.
Peter Denies Jesus
While Jesus was on trial, Peter fulfilled the prediction that he would deny knowing Jesus three times:
- Matthew 26:69-75 – Peter denies Jesus 3 times before the rooster crows.
- Mark 14:66-72 – Peter denies Jesus 3 times then weeps bitterly.
- Luke 22:54-62 – Peter denies knowing Jesus 3 times, then repents.
- John 18:15-18, 25-27 – Peter denies Jesus 3 times around a charcoal fire.
Consider Peter’s deep remorse and how this experience changed him. Also reflect on times you may have denied Jesus in your life.
Judas Hangs Himself
After betraying Jesus, Judas was filled with remorse and hanged himself:
- Matthew 27:3-10 – Judas returns the money and hangs himself.
Reflect on the tragic end of the man who betrayed Jesus. Consider the dangers of guilt, despair and taking our own lives.
Jesus Before Pilate
The Jewish leaders bring Jesus before the Roman governor Pilate to have him sentenced to death:
- Matthew 27:1-2, 11-26 – Pilate questions Jesus and hands him over to be crucified.
- Mark 15:1-15 – Pilate sentences Jesus to crucifixion.
- Luke 23:1-25 – Pilate questions Jesus and releases Barabbas instead.
- John 18:28-19:16 – Pilate questions Jesus and releases Barabbas.
Consider Pilate’s motivations and the dynamics of Jesus standing trial before an earthly ruler.
The Soldiers Mock Jesus
After condemning Jesus, the Roman soldiers mock and beat him:
- Matthew 27:27-31 – The soldiers mock and beat Jesus.
- Mark 15:16-20 – The soldiers dress Jesus as a king and mock him.
- John 19:1-3 – The soldiers dress Jesus in a purple robe and crown of thorns.
Reflect on this humiliation and brutality inflicted on the innocent Son of God.
The Crucifixion of Jesus
Jesus was led away to Golgotha and nailed to a cross between two criminals:
- Matthew 27:32-44 – Jesus is crucified at Golgotha with two criminals.
- Mark 15:21-32 – Jesus is crucified and mocked by people passing by.
- Luke 23:26-43 – Jesus speaks to the women of Jerusalem and promises paradise to a criminal.
- John 19:17-27 – Jesus speaks to his mother Mary and the disciple John while on the cross.
Meditate on Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross and the meaning it holds for our forgiveness and salvation.
The Death of Jesus
After hours on the cross, Jesus cried out and gave up his spirit:
- Matthew 27:45-56 – Darkness covers the land. Jesus cries out and dies.
- Mark 15:33-41 – Jesus cries out and breathes his last. The temple curtain is torn.
- Luke 23:44-49 – Darkness covers the land. Jesus commits his spirit to the Father.
- John 19:28-30 – Jesus says “It is finished” and dies.
Reflect on Jesus willingly giving his life to pay the penalty for our sins once and for all.
The Burial of Jesus
After his death, Jesus was taken down from the cross and buried in a tomb:
- Matthew 27:57-61 – Joseph of Arimathea buries Jesus in his own tomb.
- Mark 15:42-47 – Joseph of Arimathea wraps Jesus’ body in linen and lays it in a tomb.
- Luke 23:50-56 – Joseph buries Jesus in a tomb cut out of rock.
- John 19:38-42 – Joseph and Nicodemus prepare Jesus’ body with spices and bury him.
Contemplate Jesus’ followers caring for his body even after the traumatic events of the crucifixion.
The death of Jesus on the cross is only part of the Easter story. His miraculous resurrection on the third day completed God’s glorious plan of salvation. As you read and reflect during this season, ponder the incredible love of God to send his Son for our deliverance from sin.