Easter Reading Plan – Day 21
The Easter season is a time of renewal, hope and celebration of Christ’s resurrection. As we approach Easter Sunday, it can be meaningful to spend time reflecting on the biblical accounts leading up to this important day. Here is an in-depth look at the Scripture readings traditionally associated with Easter and the days preceding it:
Palm Sunday
On Palm Sunday, we remember Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem just days before his death and resurrection. The crowds welcomed him by waving palm branches and hailing him as king. This fulfilled the prophecy in Zechariah 9:9 that foretold the Messiah’s coming: “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” (ESV)
The account of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem can be found in all four Gospels: Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-44, John 12:12-19. The excited crowds shouted “Hosanna!” meaning “save us now!” They saw Jesus as a hero who would rescue them from Roman oppression. But Jesus was coming for an even greater purpose – to save all people from the oppression of sin through his death and resurrection.
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of Holy Week
The days between Palm Sunday and Maundy Thursday are sometimes called the “lost days” because little is recorded about Jesus’ activities during this time. He spent these last days before his crucifixion teaching in the Temple and in private with his disciples on the Mount of Olives.
Some key passages include:
– Matthew 21:12-17 – Jesus clears the Temple of merchants and moneychangers who were exploiting people.
– Matthew 21:18-22 – Jesus curses the fig tree, demonstrating his power and authority.
– Matthew 21:23-26:5 – Jesus engages in debates with Pharisees and religious leaders in the Temple, speaks many parables, and teaches about the destruction of the Temple and his second coming.
– Mark 14:1-11 – The chief priests plot to kill Jesus. A woman anoints Jesus with costly perfume.
– Luke 21:37-38 – Jesus spent his days teaching in the Temple and nights on the Mount of Olives.
– John 12:20-50 – Jesus declares that “unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” foretelling his death and resurrection.
Maundy Thursday
Maundy Thursday, also known as Holy Thursday, commemorates the Last Supper Jesus shared with his disciples on the night before his crucifixion. The word “Maundy” comes from the Latin word mandatum meaning “commandment.” At the Last Supper, Jesus gave his disciples the new commandment to “love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” (John 13:34 ESV).
Key Scripture passages include:
– Matthew 26:17-30 – Jesus eats the Passover meal with his disciples and institutes the Lord’s Supper, saying “this is my body” and “this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”
– Mark 14:12-26 – Mark’s account of the Last Supper. Jesus foretells Peter’s denial.
– Luke 22:7-38 – Luke’s account of the Last Supper, including Jesus commanding the disciples to repeat the meal in remembrance of him.
– John 13-17 – John focuses on Jesus washing his disciples feet and giving them the new commandment to love one another. Also records Jesus’ long farewell discourse and High Priestly Prayer.
– 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 – Paul recounts the Lord’s Supper and Jesus’ command to “do this in remembrance of me.”
Good Friday
Good Friday commemorates Jesus’ crucifixion and death on the cross for the sins of all humanity. Jesus was falsely accused of blasphemy by the religious leaders and turned over to the Roman authorities, who sentenced him to a brutal death by crucifixion.
Key Scripture passages include:
– Matthew 27:1-66 – Matthew’s account of Jesus’ trial before Pilate, mocking and beating by soldiers, crucifixion between two thieves, death, and burial in a tomb sealed by a large stone.
– Mark 15:1-47 – Mark’s concise account of the same events.
– Luke 22:63-23:56 – Luke’s account provides additional details, including Jesus’ words of forgiveness towards his persecutors and the repentant thief who was crucified beside him.
– John 18:1-19:37 – John focuses on Jesus’ interactions with Pilate and records his statements from the cross.
– Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9 – Explains how Jesus sympathizes with our weaknesses, was heard by God in his cries, and became the source of eternal salvation through his suffering.
– Isaiah 53 – This Old Testament prophecy vividly describes the suffering Messiah who would die for the sins of the people.
Holy Saturday
Holy Saturday, also known as Silent Saturday or Black Saturday, occurs between Good Friday and Easter Sunday. This day commemorates Jesus’ burial after his death on the cross. Scripture is “silent” on this day when Jesus’ body lay in the tomb. The Gospels simply record that his body was taken down from the cross, wrapped in linen cloths and buried in a rock-cut tomb owned by Joseph of Arimathea, a secret disciple of Jesus (Matthew 27:57-61, Mark 15:42-47, Luke 23:50-56, John 19:38-42).
For the disciples, Holy Saturday was a day of grief, lament and waiting. They had lost their leader and the one they believed to be the Messiah. They had no understanding yet that a great victory was coming with the resurrection on Sunday morning. We can identify with the disciples’ sorrow as we reflect on Christ’s suffering and death on our behalf. But we know that the story doesn’t end here!
Easter Sunday
Easter Sunday celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, fulfilling his predictions that he would rise again on the third day. The Easter story includes both his resurrection appearances and the empty tomb.
Key Scripture passages:
– Matthew 28:1-10 – Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene and the other Mary after the stone is rolled away from his tomb.
– Mark 16:1-8 – The women find the stone already rolled away. An angel announces that Jesus is risen.
– Luke 24:1-12 – The women report the empty tomb to the disciples. Peter goes to see for himself.
– John 20:1-18 – The empty tomb. Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene in the garden.
– Acts 1:3 – After his resurrection, Jesus presented himself to the disciples and gave many proofs that he was alive, appearing to them during forty days.
– 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 – Records Christ dying for our sins, being buried, rising on the third day, and appearing to Peter, the Twelve disciples, more than 500 people, James, and to Paul himself.
– Romans 1:4 – Jesus was declared to be the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead.
The Easter story is the foundation of our Christian faith. Jesus conquered sin, death and the grave so that we can have new, abundant and eternal life through trusting in him. Easter is a celebration of fresh starts, new life and the amazing grace of God. As the Lenten season comes to an end, may we be renewed by the hope and victory of that first Easter morning.
Additional Bible readings for the Easter season:
There are several passages traditionally associated with the time period after Easter Sunday leading up to Pentecost and Ascension Day:
– John 20-21 – Jesus appears to his disciples, restores Peter, commissions them to spread the Gospel.
– Luke 24:13-35 – The road to Emmaus – Jesus appears to two disciples who do not recognize him at first.
– Luke 24:36-53 – Jesus appears to the eleven disciples, eats fish to prove his bodily resurrection.
– John 21:1-19 – Jesus appears to his disciples by the Sea of Galilee and restores Peter with the command to feed Jesus’ sheep.
– Matthew 28:16-20 – The Great Commission – Jesus commands the disciples to make disciples of all nations in his authority.
– Acts 1:3-11 – Jesus presented convincing proofs of his resurrection over a forty day period and then ascended to heaven while the disciples watched. He promised to return again.
– Mark 16:19-20 – After Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. The disciples went out and preached everywhere.
Spending time in Scripture during the Easter season drives home the incredible good news of the Resurrection and the hope we have in Christ. As we reflect on these passages, our faith is strengthened to walk closely with him each day.