What was happening Wednesday before the crucifixion?
The story we read today was the one about Judas agreeing to betray Jesus and walking off with a bag of money in hand…what a great friend. And what did the kids want to do with the story today? You guessed it…a play! We’re stuck on this track, but that’s ok. Next year it will be something else, I’m sure.
It’s interesting to research Passion week timelines. They differ a little. I wish I knew what actually happened each day…but I wasn’t there. For instance, the story of Judas betraying Jesus is Tuesday on one timeline and Wednesday on another. I have to rely heavily on the research of theologians and after that I pick something and go with it.
Here are the resources I used for our timeline. The Gospel Coalition has 2 articles that were hugely helpful: Holy Week series and A Visualization. This article was helpful because it linked all the scripture passages to the events, but he has Passover on Wednesday and Crucifixion Thursday, so another perspective to read. Willmington’s Bible Handbook was also a resource used.
Using the above resources, our family is following the timeline below. We do not cover every story, but it’s here, ready for me to print and reference each year. Research done for now. I also use a wipeable calendar so I can change the dates each year and display the events. Maybe this will be helpful to another family trying to organize their calendar around Easter.
SATURDAY
Anointed by Mary, feast with Lazarus (who had been raised not long before)
First Pharisee death plot
SUNDAY
Triumphal Entry
Weeping over Jerusalem
MONDAY
Fig tree cursed
Cleansing of Temple
Greeks ask to see Christ
TUESDAY
The widow’s mite
Mt. Olivet discourse
Christ predicts his death
Second Pharisee death plot
WEDNESDAY
Judas agrees to betrayal (30 pieces of silver)
THURSDAY
Passover Events, Last supper, Jesus washes disciples feet
Passover Teaching
FRIDAY
Final prediction of death
Gethsemane
Jewish religious trials
Roman political trials
Delivered to be crucified
Mock trial by soldiers
Led away to Calvary
Death of Judas
Peter’s denials
Simon of Cyrene carries the cross
Women weeping
Crucifixion
3:00pm (time of death)
God’s action
Veil of Temple torn
Earthquake
Graves opened
Human reaction
Centurion believes
Crowd is confused
Christ’s followers watch from a distance
3:00-6:00pm
Soldier pierces Christ’s side
Preparation for burial
Burial
SATURDAY
Sealing the tomb
SUNDAY
Resurrection
Earthquake and stone rolled away
Women find angels and empty tomb
Ran to disciples
Risen Savior appeared to
First Mary Magdalene
Second Some Women
Third At Emmaus
Fourth Simon Peter
Fifth Upper Room (Thomas absent)
