I have taken the days that Alice Gifford did about the last week of the Savior's life in mortality and then used another talk and put them together. It is about 9 pages long,

A Walk with Christ in his last Eight Days in Mortality and his Glorious Resurrection

Song- "He Sent His Son" pg 34 children's song book

Introduction
The public ministry of Jesus was soon to come to an end. He had pursued his ministry by two bold thrusts. His first thrust was the clear, bold pronouncement of his messiahship. He left no doubt of who he was when in Bethany he restored the dead Lazarus to mortal life. That miracle, more than anything else, had led the Jewish rulers to plot that Jesus "should die for that nation." (John 11:51) They could not refute the evidence- to stop his mission, they would have to destroy Jesus. Second, Jesus had trained leadership in his apostles, who would carry the torch of his cause after his ascension. This leadership surfaced when they saw that Jesus was resurrected. Although dormant through the trail and crucifixion, later the apostles were commissioned by Jesus to preach to all nations: and after his ascension, they were endowed with the Holy Spirit. They had the keys; they and been called; and under the leadership of Peter, James, and John, they began their great task.

Saturday: Day of Anointing - Jesus is anointed in Bethany by Mary. Reference: Luke 7:37-38 44-46
Many in Jerusalem must have been awed by the majesty of the drama played before them, the full significance of which they did not perceive. This commemoration of God's blessing to ancient Israel would be the last authorized Passover- the killing of paschal lambs after this year would be apostasy. For even now, as the bleating of young lambs echoed amidst the confusion of Jerusalem's din, another great and last sacrifice, "the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world" (Revelation 13:8), was receiving an anointing under Mary's hand in the quiet of Simon the leper's house at Bethany. (Mark 14:3-8)

Do we "anoint" others - in word and action?

Sunday: Day of Popularity - Jesus enters Jerusalem in triumph. Reference: Luke l9:35-38

Would we be one of those who cheered as Christ rode into the city or would we ask, "Who is this?" Reference: Matt 2l:l0-ll)
All Jerusalem was in an uproar. It was the season of the Passover, and everywhere in the city travelers arrived, lambs and pigeons for offerings were sold, and sacrificial coins clattered in the coffers of those who had perverted the stewardship of caring for Israel. Above the festive clamor for religious merchandise, Jerusalem reverberated with concern about the "Prophet of Galilee". Among the common people and on the lips of staunch Pharisees was ever the same Question "What think ye, that he will not come to the feast?" John 11:56

Jerusalem was a natural fortress. It was surrounded on three sides by unusually deep ravines and was reinforced by massive walls and strong defensive towers... To travelers or armies approaching from the east or west, Jerusalem must have presented a formidable sight! Here David established the throne of his kingdom; and after David, his son Solomon perpetuated the fame of Jerusalem through what has been called Israel's golden age. But strong walls alone do not guarantee security- from Jerusalem also gushed the fountainhead of apostasy and moral decay that vitiated the strength of Israel and wasted her glory until pagan kings with their godless legions tramped almost at will in the very lifeblood of God's covenant people.

Jerusalem had bowed in submission to many kings- Shalmaneser, Sargon II, Nebuchadnezzar, Alexander, Herod the Great- and even now, as Jesus prepared to enter Jerusalem, Roman troops occupied the fortress Antonia that overlooked the oft-contested city. But Jesus brandished no sword as he approached the city. And in his triumphal entry, a door wider than Jerusalem's gate opened to receive him, for at Jerusalem he gave his life for all mankind and there took leave of this mortal world to return to an estate of surpassing honor and majesty on the "right hand" of that God who gave him life. (Hebrews 1:3)

If you had been in Jerusalem during the last week of the Savior's ministry, would you have been among the few to welcome him or among the many who misunderstood? Will the majority understand when the Savior makes his great triumphal entry at his second coming? Will you?

As Jesus arrived at Jerusalem, he secured a donkey and a colt, and rode through the city gates into Jerusalem. A "very great multitude" who knew him to be "the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee" placed palm branches in his way and greeted him with a hosanna shout:  Hosanna to the Son of David: blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest." (Matt 21:9) He went directly to the temple, and according to Mark, took note of what he saw and retired to Bethany for the night.

Song- "Tell me the Stories of Jesus"**(verse at the end of program)

Monday: Day of Authority - Christ curses the barren fig tree and cleanses the temple.   Reference: Luke 19:45-46
Early the next morning Jesus went again to the temple and made a decisive thrust calculated to challenge the Jewish religious leadership. He drove from the outer court area of the temple those who were trading and making money exchange from foreign currency. The money exchange was apparently sanctioned by the Jewish leaders; and by preventing the merchandising, Jesus was in effect challenging their leadership. The issue was clear: Was the temple to be a place of worship of God or of pursuit of gain? As He cleared the temple courts, He said,  "It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves." Reference (Matt 21:13)

(Think about why He had to cleanse the temple....think about what me might need to "cleanse" in our own lives....Would Christ feel welcome and comfortable in our presence and in our homes?)

Tuesday: Day of Conflict - Jesus teaches in the temple and on the Mount of Olives - Matt 21 & 25

Jesus' wrath in the temple raised the issue of authority, and the priests were not about to let the incident pass. As Jesus came to the temple the next day, the priests challenged him:  "By what authority doest thou these things? And who gave thee this authority?" Matt. 21:23

Jesus responded by relating a series of parables that offended the religious leaders of the Jews. The scribes and Pharisees challenged Him again: Jesus openly denounced them and condemned them as hypocrites. From this point on, Jesus did not teach the public, but only the twelve.  Perceiving that Jesus had gained the upper hand in their confrontations, the Jewish leaders consulted again how they might bring about Jesus' death.  They would have to move quickly before the Passover to avoid a riot, however, since Jesus had become very popular with the Jewish people. How to bring about an arrest without provoking crowd reaction was the problem. An unexpected turn of events that took place abetted their plot. One of Jesus' own disciples offered to betray him. Jesus well knew of the plot.

Matthew 26:1-5
Luke 22:3-6
Matthew 26:15-16

Show the video "What Think Ye of Christ" from the Family Home Evening Video - It is beautiful and moving. After watching, ask the same question Christ asked the Pharisees was "What think ye of Christ?.... "

Wednesday: Day of Rest - Jesus probably spends a day of rest with his friends at Bethany.

I think of all the times in my life when I've been greatly troubled, in need of solace; where do I go???? When my heart is most troubled I can say I turn to the Lord...and I want to be in the temple. A few years ago struggled with great pain in my heart over something that I felt was hurting my child. I couldn't sleep, I was very emotional, my heart very heavy....no one could comfort, except the Lord. My thoughts and prayers were continually pouring out to the HIM...and he did comfort. Comforted in "sending" friends my way...sending peace to my heart...sending "rest" in my knowledge of the gospel.

My reason for sharing this is to pose a question....Do you think the Lord has a heavy heart at times, knowing one of his children needs help, and he turns to us. Do we reach out with the hand of friendship to those who need comfort, in need of "rest"? Do we listen to the prompting of the spirit when they come and follow through?

Would the Lord have come to our home that last Wednesday to "rest". Do we seek the Lord when we need to "rest" from the world. And even more than this, do we provide a place of "rest" for those who have the need???? Do we labor diligently to persuade others to seek the "rest" of God? The word "rest" will always have greater meaning for me after today. Read Jacob l:7   (Would Christ choose to spend a day with us?)

Thursday: Day of Fellowship - Jesus partakes of the "Last Supper" with his Apostles
- Jesus prays in the Garden of Gethsemane
- Around midnight, Judas betrays Jesus with a kiss, and Jesus is arrested by the chief priests, scribes, and elders.
- Peter denies Jesus three times

Jesus had arranged to commemorate the Passover meal in a home privately reserved for Him and the Twelve
Luke 22: 7-16
John 13: 4-17

Following the Passover meal, Jesus introduced a new ordinance, the sacrament, which presaged His atoning sacrifice. Matthew 26: 26-29

Song; While of these Emblems we Partake Pg 174 vs 1

He then prophesied of his death and indicated who would betray him. Matthew 26: 21-25

After some instructions, Jesus offered his great intercessory prayer.  Then, with the eleven (Judas had left), Jesus led them outside the walls to a familiar spot- Gethsemane. Then taking Peter, James and John with him, he went further into the Garden where he then left those three and went off by himself to pray. There he pled with his Heavenly Father. "O Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt" Matthew 26: 39

Jesus returned to the three and found them sleeping. Apparently at this point Jesus spoke directly to Peter, the apostle who only a short time before, during the Last Supper, had pledged his loyalty to the Savior declaring, "Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended." (Matt. 26:33)

Now he had fallen asleep during the Lord's most agonizing hour. Jesus gave Peter a mild rebuke and assigned the three an activity to help them. (Mark 14: 37-38)

Jesus again departed to His place of private prayer, he returned again to the apostles and found them sleeping. And again a third time He prayed and returned to find them sleeping. This time He let them sleep. As Jesus prayed, he suffered "the pain of all men" (D&C 18:11) and the agony was so great that it caused him to bleed at every pore. He was not left alone, but an angel came to the Garden to strengthen Him. (Luke 22:43)  Song: How Great the Wisdom and the Love pg 195 all verses

Some time later He rejoined His apostles and indicated that His betrayer was at hand. While he spoke, an armed band led by Judas approached Jesus to seize Him. The soldiers knew which man was Jesus by giving them a prearranged sign- a kiss   Matthew 26: 48-50

Without resistance, Jesus submitted. Peter took his knife, and wanted to defend Jesus and he cut off the ear of one of the servants of the chief judge. Jesus told Peter to put his knife away and Jesus reached forth his hand and healed the ear of the servant. (How do we treat our enemies? or those that revile us and spitefully use us?) Jesus was brought to an illegal trial that night before Annas the former high priest. He was questioned and struck. 
John 18: 19-23

When I woke up this morning my heart was sad to know what today and tomorrow would entail in His life! And yet I know the greater purpose in His sacrifices and what we have been taught by Him who loved us so much and was willing to give so much!

A verse that jumped out at me this morning; Matthew 26:45, Christ finds His disciples asleep and says, "Sleep on now, and take "your" rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners"

After yesterday and understanding "His rest", this verse hit me hard. Are we seeking our own "rest". A good friend sent a message last evening that made me think also about the type of "rest" I seek in the things I choose daily. Do I choose the "rest" that brings me closer to the Savior or do I choose a worldly rest?

There are many things to ponder today....do we serve everyone, even those who we know are our "enemies", would we have stayed awake???? Would we have denied? "Do" we "deny" each day in the things we choose? Do we betray Jesus? Do we deny Jesus is the things we say and do?

When I read that Judas betrayed with a "kiss", which to me has always been an endearment, I wonder why a kiss? Do we "betray" Christ with a kiss as we partake of the Sacrament on Sunday but then during the week forget about the sacred covenants we've just renewed....until next Sunday?

I love the YW theme, "We will stand as Witnesses of God at all times and in all things and in all places as we..... let us be an example of this and especially to the Young Women of our wards and stakes! Let us remember the Savior and be an example! Let us not deny or betray in our words, thoughts, and actions. When we partake of the sacrament, do we think about Christ, do we pay attention to the words and renew and remember the covenants we made at Baptism? What are those covenants?

Are we willing to Say "Thy Will Be Done"? An angel from heaven appeared to Jesus, "strengthening him". Heavenly Father will also send help to us when we need to be strengthened. Reference: Luke 22:43-44

Friday: Day of Suffering - At Sunrise, Jesus is officially condemned by Caiaphas and the Jewish Sanhedrin Reference: Luke 22:61 He was then taken before Caiaphas, the High Priest. He was then tried by Caiaphas, the scribes, and the elders commonly known as the Sanhedrin. This trial was to find some crime of which to convict Jesus and put him to death. The Jewish leaders now faced another problem. They were not content that Jesus should be put to death; they also wanted to discredit Him before His own people. To do this, the leaders arranged to have Jesus charged with two crimes. The first was blasphemy, a capital offense under Jewish law. He was unanimously convicted of this charge solely on the evidence that He had said that He was the Son of God.

(Matt. 26: 57-66)

After His conviction, Jesus was mistreated
Matthew 26: 67, 68
Mark 14: 65
Luke 22: 63, 64

This conviction would discredit Jesus before the Jews, but the rulers knew well that they could not carry out the death penalty; only the Roman governor could pronounce this. Therefore, they had to find political indictment against Jesus. The surest means of securing this was the charge of sedition against the state, for He had claimed to be a "king of the Jews."

Jesus was then bound and taken to the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate about 6:00 a.m. (Luke 23:1) The Romans believed in many gods. They even believed that some of their rulers and political leaders were gods. Blasphemy was not a crime in the eyes of the Romans and the Jewish leaders knew this.  Hence, when the Jewish leaders brought Jesus before Pilate, they accused him of treason instead of blasphemy.   Reference: Luke 23:1-4
:
Pilate's examination found Jesus guiltless and Jesus was sent to Herod where He was mocked and made to wear a robe. (Luke 23:4-7) Jesus was then sent back to Pilate for a second hearing and was again found innocent. During this trial, Pilate reminded the Jews of one of their customs to release one prisoner at the time of the feast. Pilate hoped that the Jews would release Jesus, but fearing a demonstration, Pilate gave in to the clamor to free the murderer Barabbas and crucify Jesus. Reference: Luke 23:11

Pilate had Jesus scourged before delivering Him to the Roman soldiers for crucifixion. When Jesus was delivered to the soldiers by Pilate, they placed a crown of thorns on his head, a purple robe on his shoulders, and a reed in his hand as a mock scepter. Matt 27:29 After mocking him, saying,  "Hail, King of the Jews," They beat him with their hands and with the reed and spit upon him.

Jesus was then led out of the city to a hill called Golgotha, "the place of a skull," to be crucified.  Reference: John 19:17

He was made to carry his own cross. As the crucifixion procession left the city, they encountered Simon, a man from Cyrene, coming to Jerusalem. He was forced by the soldiers to carry Jesus' cross for him. Reference: Matt 27:32

Jesus was offered a cup of wine with a drug in it; he refused to drink it.  He was then stripped and nailed to the cross at about 9:00 a.m. A sign denoting the accusation against Jesus was attached to the cross above His head. It was written in three different languages- Greek, Latin, and Hebrew and said something like: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.

Two thieves were crucified at the same time. One hung on a cross to the right of Jesus, the other to his left. After they had crucified Him, the Roman soldiers cast lots for the various pieces of Jesus' clothing. Reference: John l9:23

As He suffered in agony on the cross, Jesus was mocked, ridiculed, taunted, and scorned by the crowd including the chief priests, the scribes, the soldiers, and one of the thieves.

Jesus was mocked  Matthew 27:40, Luke 23:35, Matthew 27:42

Jesus prayed even though He was suffering terribly. Luke 23:34

He spoke to one of the thieves - Luke 23:43

He spoke to his mother, Mary and to John the apostle - John 19: 26,27

Darkness and earthquakes last from noon to 3:00 p.m. - Luke 23:44-45

Again He talks to His Father in Heaven - Matthew 27:46

And his final statements at about 3:00 p.m and. Jesus Dies - John 19:28, 30, Luke 23: 46

Song "He Died! The Great Redeemer Died" pg 192 all verses

These events occurred on a Friday, the day prior to the Jewish Sabbath.  Since it would violate the rabbinical Sabbath laws to leave bodies hanging on the cross during the Sabbath, and since the Sabbath began at sunset on Friday, several of the Jewish leaders went to Pilate and obtained permission to have the legs of the three men broken so that their deaths would be hastened and the bodies could be removed prior to the Sabbath. The soldiers broke the legs of the two thieves. Since it was apparent that Jesus was already dead, the soldiers did not break his legs. However, to make sure that he was dead, one of the soldiers thrust his spear into Jesus' side. Blood and water gushed forth from the wound. Reference: John 19: 34

Joseph of Arimathea obtained Pilate's permission to take the body of Jesus and bury it. He and Nicodemus wrapped Jesus' body in fine linen with spices and laid it in a tomb or sepulcher which had been "hewn out of a rock." They rolled a large stone in front of the door of the sepulcher. ......."On Friday afternoon, scarcely an hour before the Jewish Sabbath had commenced, they had seen the limp corpse of their loved one hauled down from the Roman cross. His death had come as a great relief. For seemingly endless hours they had watched terrified and helpless while he hung in tortured agony.  They had stood by him during the three hours of earthquake and darkness.  They had heard him cry out with a loud voice as he reached the climax of his terrible anguish. Then they had seen him collapse as he gave up the ghost.  Later, they had cringed as they watched the Roman solider plunge a spear into the dead body, Reference: John l9:34-35

With the hours of agony gone, the friends and family of Jesus watched with wonderment as two distinguished members of the great Sanhedrin council had come with white linen, expensive myrrh and a removal permit form Pilate. In many ways it was a strange scene. Nicodemus in former times had sought the advice of Jesus by night...Joseph of Arimathaea, a secret disciple of Christ...as death grew near had gone to Pilate and begged the body of Jesus....brought expensive linen and offered the use of his own personal sepulcher.... Reference: John l9:39, John l9:38, Luke 23:50-51

The coming of the Jewish Sabbath at sunset had sent the women weeping and exhausted to their Jerusalem dwellings. ...One was Mary Magdalene from whom Jesus cast seven evil spirits. One was Mary, mother of James the Less and Joses, and there was Salome, the mother of the apostles John and Another was Joanna, the wife of Herod's steward, and there were many others which ministered unto him of their substance.  Reference: Luke 8:2-3, Luke 24:l0, Mark l5:40-41.

(Are we willing to Stand as Witnesses of Christ and give of our material wealth to building the Kingdom of God). Have you been thinking all week about Christ and the sacrifices me made for us? Last evening at dinner we discussed with our children the events of the day and of the day coming up. To think that as we were eating dinner, Christ was partaking of the Last Supper and that the events of the evening were beginning to take place. When we awoke this morning, Christ had been taken before Annas, Hanan, Caiaphas, and the Sanhedrin... On to Pilot, Herod, and back to Pilot...and would continue to suffer this day "for us".

It was Christ's' own people who said to "Crucify! Crucify Him!" Him" What are we saying today as members of His church? What message do we send to the world when we don't keep the commandments, speak poorly about our leaders; ward, stake, or general. When we don't support them or follow their counsel? When we don't stand up for the truth....speak out when needed...stand for truth and righteousness....because we don't want to offend, or we know we will be criticized for our stand. What are we telling our children when we don't keep the covenants we made at baptism? What are we telling them when we do?

We must be true followers of Christ! We must be a light to the world that shows the way back to our Heavenly Father! We can show our love for Him by being faithful, for defending the faith, by being "true to the truth" (study the words of the hymn "True to the Faith" on page 254) giving our lives for the truth if needed. Let us remember Christ this day and the events that took place. I have only touched briefly on the events of the day....there is so much more. Let's take the time to study the events of today by ourselves and with our families. Later in this day as the hour approaches when Jesus cries, "It is finished!" let us remember that our work is not finished....we have yet much to do.

Saturday - Day of Silence - Guards are placed at the tomb. The chief priests and Pharisees became worried that some of Jesus' disciples would steal his body and then publicly proclaim that Jesus was resurrected. They posted soldiers to guard the tomb and they sealed the stone door of the tomb.

Sunday - Day of Triumph - Mark l6:6
Had the gospel ended with Jesus' burial, there would be no gospel story, no "good news." The great message of those that testify is that Jesus was risen and was seen again by any witnesses. On the first day of the week, the most memorable Sunday in history, Jesus Christ emerged alive from the tomb, and appeared before Mary. The testimony of these witnesses constitutes the gospel story, the "good news"

Just before dawn on the third day, the earth began to quake; an angel came and rolled the stone away. The Roman soldiers were so frightened by what they saw that they shook and fell down as if they were dead.

(Picture, Women at the Tomb) Very early in the morning, some women who were friends of Jesus came to the tomb. They brought sweet spices to pour upon the body of Jesus as was the custom. On their way to the tomb, one thing troubled them. How could they reach the body of Jesus? The heavy stone would be in the way And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulcher? Mark l6:3

(As we serve, do we sometimes whisper asking, How can we ..... I'm so busy trying to keep my grades up, participating in school activities, mutual nights, and I want to serve well in my calling as class president, but how can I do everything?????" )

Only when they drew near were they able to perceive in the dim light that someone had been there before them. The stone was rolled away! " Luke 24:4.  They knew nothing of the angel who had rolled the stone away. They did not know that Jesus was no longer in the tomb. When they arrived and discovered he was not there, they were frightened. The tomb was dark, but suddenly the interior was illuminated by the presence of two glorious personages in shining garments. The women were so frightened they bowed down to the earth trembling and panic-stricken. Then they heard the words: "Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified; he is risen, .... Reference:   Mark l6:6

The Angels spoke to the women and said "WHY SEEK YE THE LIVING AMONG THE DEAD?...HE IS NOT HERE: FOR HE IS RISEN" The Angel then instructed them to go and tell the disciples.

Mary Magdalene was the first to reach the apostles. She had been so frightened by the experience at the tomb ....the thing which impressed her most was the tragic declaration, "He is Not here!. She completely missed the testimony concerning the resurrection Reference: John 20:1-2, Luke 24:10-11

(Do we sometimes miss the message?)

The majority of the disciples refused to believe her. Only Peter and John Responded. Even when the other women arrived, the rest of the disciples....believed them not. Reference: Luke 24:ll

(Do we sometimes refuse to "believe" just because we haven't heard it ourselves?

Meanwhile John and Peter raced toward Golgotha while Mary Magdalene followed. Peter entered the tomb first, John then followed...they saw the empty crypt....but they saw no divine messengers. Mary watched John and Peter as they slowly came out of the tomb and departed. Reference: John 20:3-6 John 20:7

(Picture, Mary and the Resurrected Lord) Left alone, Mary could not contain her grief. For some reason, even while weeping, she felt constrained to look once again into the tomb. She did not enter but peered through the entrance. Suddenly she saw two personages.....they spoke to her "Woman, why weepest thou?" Reference: John 20:ll-l2

(Do we remember to look to the Lord in times of need?)

The messengers could have said more, but they did not. Someone else had come into the garden.....she assumed he must be the gardener.

(Do we recognize the Lord's presence in our lives?)

"Sir, she said, "if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away." Reference: John 20:l5 ...The soft tone of his voice carried a message of tenderness and love:

"Mary." Startled by the shock of recognition, Mary gasped out "Rabboni!" Reference: John 20:l7

(He knows each of us and will call us by name) (To the credit of gentle, loving women everywhere, our Redeemer chose as the first mortal witness of His resurrection from the dead a woman, Mary Magdalene. Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father; (She who had loved Him so much, she who had been healed by Him, was the first to whom He appeared.)

.....For the second time that early Sunday morning, Mary Magdalene ran with all speed to the house where the apostles were staying. But this time she had the full message: "He is risen! He is risen!" Reference: John 20:18

(Do we share the message, "He is Risen" with others? Do we run with full speed to spread the gospel message or do we think someone else will do it for us if we don't get there first.?)

He is not dead! His is risen! He is the first fruit of the resurrection. Without Him, life for all men would end at death. If we are faithful to the end, if we will remember, we will understand His love for all of us, and our love for Him will grow deeper and deeper.

Song "He is risen" pg 199 all verses

Holiday Index

Home