Easter

Week Before Easter, TheLesson w/answers

This week we pause our current study to celebrate and study the triumphant entry of our Lord and Savior into Jerusalem and the week he spent there leading up to his death and resurrection.

Bible

We’ll look at why there were so many people there to greet him and the events that lead to that entry and the fulfillment of scripture in Zechariah 9:9. We’ll study what Jesus did that week and why as we also prepare ourselves for next week’s Easter celebration of His resurrection.

There are lots of scripture references this week so let’s begin to put the pieces all together.

Our journey starts during the winter prior to the time of Christ’s entry into Jerusalem. Read John Chapters 11 and 12 the answer the following:

  1. Christ had three friends whom he loved very much. Who were they and where did they live? (John 11:1-3)
    1. ANSWER: Lazarus, Mary and Martha, they lived in Bethany.
  2. How far was Bethany from Jerusalem? (John 11:18)
    1. ANSWER: Less than 2 miles.
  3. What did Jesus do when he arrived in Bethany? (John 11:43)
    1. ANSWER: Raised Lazarus from the dead.
  4. In addition to Christ’s disciples and Mary and Martha, who else witnessed Lazarus being raised from the dead? (John 11:28-42)
    1. ANSWER: The mourners and comforters who were with Mary and Martha.
  5. What was the reaction of those who witnessed Lazarus being raised from the dead by Christ? (John 11:45-53)
    1. ANSWER 1: Many believed that Jesus was the Messiah.
    2. ANSWER 2: Some ran to tell the Pharisees who in-turn began plotting to kill Jesus.
  6. Where did Christ go after raising Lazarus from the dead? (John 11:54)
    1. ANSWER: Ephraim
  7. In the spring in preparation for Passover many headed for Jerusalem. Had they heard of Jesus, were they looking for him, were they anticipating his arrival? (John 11:55-57)
    1. ANSWER: Absolutely. Word of his miracles and his raising Lazarus from the dead had spread far and wide, many were eagerly anticipating his arrival in Jerusalem.
  8. When did Christ arrive again in Bethany and where did he stay? (John 12:1)
    1. ANSWER: Six days before Passover and he stayed at Lazarus’s home in Bethany, less than 2 miles from Jerusalem.
  9. Who came to see Jesus and Lazarus while Jesus was in Bethany at Lazarus’s home? (John 12:9)
    1. ANSWER: A large crowd who had heard about Lazarus being raised from the dead by Christ, they wanted to see both of them.
  10. In John 12:10 we learn the Pharisees don’t just want Jesus killed they also want to kill someone else, who?
    1. ANSWER: Lazarus.
  11. Now read about the “great crowd” that greeted Christ. What does it say in verse 12?…it says this great crowd “heard” that Christ was coming. Who do you suppose told them given all we’ve read so far and the fact that Bethany was less than 2 miles from Jerusalem? (John 12:12-16) Now read John 12:17-18.
    1. ANSWER: The crowd who had heard or even seen Christ raise Lazarus surely went into Jerusalem and told everyone about Jesus being at Lazarus’s home and coming to Jerusalem for the Passover.

Now let’s begin with Christ’s entry and see what the Bible tells us about each day. Using the references listed for each day jot down a brief summary of how Christ spent each day.

  1. Fall/Winter The Year Before
    1. John 11:43-46
      1. ANSWER: Raised Lazarus from the dead.
    2. John 11:53-56
      1. ANSWER: Since the Pharisees were now seeking to kill him, he removed himself to the country, in Ephraim, with his disciples. The Pharisees issued orders to seize Jesus if he surfaced in Jerusalem and/or in the Temple during the feast of Passover.
  2. Saturday – the Sabbath (Shabbat) before Palm Sunday
    1. John 12:1-3
      1. ANSWER: Jesus visits Lazarus in Bethany. Mary anoints Jesus' feet with expensive purfume.
    2. John 12:9-11
      1. ANSWER: A large crowd of Jews came to see both Jesus and Lazarus. After seeing Lazarus alive, many left as believers. As a result, the Pharisees expanded their murder plans to include Lazarus.
  3. Sunday (Palm Sunday)
    1. John 12:12-19
      1. ANSWER: In accordance with prophecy, Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a young donkey. A large crowd of Jews came out to meet him with palm branches.
    2. Mark 11:1-11
      1. ANSWER: See above. This passage provides further details regarding the acquisition of the donkey.
    3. Luke 19:28-44
      1. ANSWER: See above. This passage provides details regarding an exchange that Jesus has with the Pharisees. When the Pharisees told him to rebuke his disciples and followers, he cited Habakkuk 2:11's reference that "the stones will cry out" to evildoers who put themselves separate and above the common people. Luke also points out that Jesus wept, knowing what was to befall Jerusalem in the years to come.
    4. Matthew 21:1-11
      1. ANSWER: See above. In this passage, Jesus is acknowledged by many of the people as "the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth in Galilee."
  4. Monday
    1. Matthew 21:10-17
      1. ANSWER: Jesus drives the money-changers and dove-sellers out of the Temple. Jesus heals the blind and lame in the Temple. The chief priests become indignant.
    2. Mark 11:12-18
      1. ANSWER: See above. The chief priests and the scribes become fearful of Jesus' power, and began seeking how to destroy Him.
    3. Luke 19:45-48
      1. ANSWER: See above.
  5. Tuesday
    1. Matthew 21:23-24:51
      1. ANSWER: Jesus tells many parables.
    2. Mark 11:27-13:37
      1. ANSWER: See above. Jesus also warns of many bad things to come.
    3. Luke 20:1-21:36
      1. ANSWER: See above.
  6. Wednesday
    1. Quiet day; the Bible is silent on the activities of this day
  7. Thursday (Maundy Thursday)
    1. Matthew 26:17-30
      1. ANSWER: The Last Supper.
    2. Mark 14:12-26
      1. ANSWER: See above.
    3. Luke 22:7-23
      1. ANSWER: See above.
    4. John 13:1-30
      1. ANSWER: See above. John also describes Jesus' act of washing of the disciples feet. Jesus tells Judas: "What you do, do quickly."
  8. Friday – Good Friday
    1. Matthew 27:1-66
      1. ANSWER: Jesus is taken prisoner, and comes before Pilate. The people choose Barabbas to live, vs. Jesus. Jesus is crucified and buried.
    2. Mark 15:1-47
      1. ANSWER: See above.
    3. Luke 22:66-23:56
      1. ANSWER: See above. Simon is chosen to bear Jesus' cross.
    4. John 18:28-19:37
      1. ANSWER: See above.
  9. Saturday (Shabbat) the Sabbath
    1. This day Christ’s body lay in the tomb, the Passover Celebration continued and Sabbath rules were in effect. This mean you were not allowed to walk to the gravesite to properly prepare the body for burial and must wait until the next day, Sunday.
  10. Sunday – Easter Sunday
    1. Matthew 28:1-13
      1. ANSWER: The stone covering the tomb is rolled away in an earthquake. The guards awaken to find the Jesus is risen!
    2. Mark 16:1-20
      1. ANSWER: See above. Jesus first appears to Mary Magdalene. He then commissions his disciples.
    3. Luke 24:1-49
      1. ANSWER: See above. Two of Jesus followers encounter him on the road to Emmaus.
    4. John 20:1-31
      1. ANSWER: See above. John's recount includes the story of Doubting Thomas.

Thanks again for studying with us, may God bless you as we celebrate the Resurrection of the Living Christ.

In Christ,

Wes

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