From the Anointing for Burial, Saturday Evening, April, A. D. 30, to Resurrection, Sunday Morning, April, A. D. 30; 8 Days.

I. THE TRIUMPHAL ENTRY (Matt. 21:1-11; Mark 1:11; Luke 19:29-44; John 12:12-19). After Jesus had reached Bethany news was carried to the Jews at Jerusalem of his arrival. Great crowds resorted thither, not only to see Jesus, but also Lazarus who had been restored to life. The decision made by the Sanhedrim to put Jesus to death could not be carried out because the common people believed in him and the time had not come for the rulers to take him. On the first day of the Holy Week, Sunday, Jesus proceeded towards Bethphage and sent two of his disciples to bring the animal on which he was to ride into the Holy City. The road from Bethany to Jerusalem was crowded with pilgrims making their way to the Holy City to attend the Passover Among these were many who had witnessed the Savior's miracles in Galilee and later learned of the remarkable events at Bethany which increased their enthusiasm for the Master. The heart of the people therefore was deeply stirred, and the disciples, filled with general excitement, placed garments upon the animal on which Jesus was to ride into the city. The crowds expressed their joy on the way by putting garments on the rough path; others cut down branches from the trees and threw them in the road before him, and as they approached the city many came from there and swelled the moving procession, with loud hosannas glorifying God. Jesus, by this royal entry into the city, asserted his Messiahship. In the evening with the twelve apostles he quietly returned to Bethany.

II. CURSING THE FIG TREE (Matt. 21:18, 19; Mark 11:12-14). Early Monday morning, as Jesus and the apostles were on their way to the Holy City, Jesus noticed by the wayside a fig tree in leaf and, as the fruit of the fig appears before the leaves, in this green foliage Jesus expected fruit to satisfy his hunger. He went to the tree and found it barren and said, " Let there be no fruit from thee henceforth and forever." The tree made a show of leaves, but had no fruit. The hypocrite can see his photograph in the display of leaves, and his doom in the withered fig tree.

III. SECOND CLEANSING OF THE TEMPLE (Matt. 21:12-18; Mark M:15-19; Luke 19:45-48). About three years have passed since Jesus attended the first Passover after entering upon his ministry, and rebuked the Jews for violating the sacredness of the Temple. He again drives out the buyers, the sellers and the money changers, upsets their tables and pours forth their ill-gotton gains and declares in words of authority "that his house is not for thievish traffic,"
but for prayer and praise. Thus he concludes the work of Monday and returns with his disciples to Bethany to spend the night.

IV. FINDING THE FIG TREE WITHERED (Matt. 21:20-22; Mark 11:20-26). Early Tuesday morning on their way to the Holy City the disciples observed with surprise how rapidly the tree cursed the day before had withered away. Jesus took this occasion to teach his disciples that they must have faith in God in order to receive the things which in prayer they seek.

V. CHRIST'S AUTHORITY QUESTIONED (Matt. 21:23-27; Mark 11:27-33; Luke 20:1-8). Immediately after arriving in the Temple Jesus began to teach the people, but was interrupted by the arrival of chief priests and elders who demanded of him his authority in holding the position of a rabbi. Jesus replied to them in the form of a question which they could not answer:" The baptism of John, whence was it? From heaven, or from men." They deny John's heavenly mission if they answer from men, and enrage the common people; if they answer from heaven, they condemn themselves, because they had not obeyed him. They refuse to answer the question, and Jesus likewise declines answering the question respecting his authority.

VI. THREE PARABLES OF WARNING* (Matt. 21:2822:14; Mark 12:1-12; Luke 20:9-19). Jesus follows up this advantage he had of them with these parables which are terrible in their rebuke and threatenings.

1. The Two Sons. The heart of this parable is presented in these words, "Verily I say unto you that the publicans and harlots go into the kingdom of God before you." This is the startling message he put at these proud religionists who had but a few minutes before demanded of Jesus a reason why they should allow him to teach in the Temple.

2. The Wicked Husbandmen. Here Jesus sets forth a graphic picture of the wickedness of the rulers during their past history as a people. The householder 'had great possessions which were obtained through great care and labor, which he let out to husbandmen. When the householder sends his servants to collect the fruit of the owner, the husbandmen beat, stone and kill them, and at last the householder sends his own Son, and he is put to death. After setting forth this parable Jesus asked, "What will he do unto these husbandmen?" Many answer, " He will miserably destroy these wicked men, and let the vineyard out to other husbandmen." No sooner had they answered than they realized that in the picture they had pronounced judgment upon themselves.

3. The Marriage of the King's Son. In the first parable Jesus showed how they had pretended to do the will of God but had failed to do it. In the second, their cruel treatment of God's servants, and they were about to put his Son to death. And in this parable he illustrates their rejection of his grace. They scorned the invitation given to the heavenly feast, murdered those who invited them. The king sent his armies; destroyed the murderers and burned their city and offered to others the joy and grace that they had rejected.

VII. THE FOUR QUESTIONS (Matt. 22:15-46; Mark 12:13-37; Luke 20:20-44). Thus far the Savior's authority remains unshaken by the common people. The ruling powers had been humiliated by his practical teaching in the very midst of the temple court. The Pharisees, Sadducees and Herodians united in one formidable conspiracy and suborned men to propose various questions of conscience to him for an answer.

1. The Pharisees' Question about Tribute. Some of the Pharisees, in company with the Herodians, came to Jesus for an answer to the question that had caused much disturbance especially in Galilee. He must on the one hand avoid giving offense to the excited crowd of common people in the temple court, and on the other avoid supplying matter for accusation before the Roman Governor. Jesus now calls for the tribute money and asks, "Whose image and superscription is this?" They answer, " Caesar's." Jesus replies, " Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's."

2. The Sadducees' Question about the Resurrection. The Pharisees and Herodians thus repulsed, the Sadducees approached. They presented a religious difficulty respecting the position in another world of a woman who had seven husbands in this world. Jesus said:" Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God." These earthly relationships will cease with this life and in the next world man will be exalted to a higher order of beings through the power of God.

3. The Lawyer's Question About the Great Commandment. Having put to silence the Herodians and Sadducees a question is now presented to him by a Jewish lawyer belonging to the Pharisaic sect, on which two rabbinical schools differed. If Jesus took the one side the other would be offended. The answer that Jesus gave comprised the whole of religion under the precepts of love to God and love to man. The questioner himself frankly owned that such love is better than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.

4. Christ's Unanswerable Question. Having put to silence the united efforts of these conspirators Jesus now asked them a question: "Whose son is the Christ?" "David's," they replied easily. "How then doth David in spirit call him Lord?" And no one was able to answer him a word. He had silenced them in answering their own question and pointed out their weakness in refusing to answer his questions.

VIII. CHRIST'S DENUNCIATION OF SCRIBES AND PHARISEES (Matt. 23:1-39; Mark 12:38-40; Luke 20:4547). After Jesus had silenced these conspirators they were constrained to listen as he denounced their hypocrisy and tyranny.

1. Their Desire for Display. Jesus said to his disciples that they should beware of the Scribes and Pharisees who occupy chief seats and pretend to be religious by putting on long robes and making display of the external, but lack piety in the heart; who also make the poor widows poorer and make long prayers and lay burdens upon others that they themselves do not respect.

2. Their False Zeal for Proselytes. Jesus now turns to the Scribes and Pharisees themselves and declares solemnly that they shut up the kingdom of God against men, not going in themselves and hindering others from going.

3. Their Folly About Oaths. He calls them blind guides and denounces their false teaching concerning the oaths taken by the Temple or by the altar.

4. Their Zeal for Things Least Important. They make much of little things and little of great things; make a display outwardly, but within are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.

5. Their Fathers Imitated. They claim that if they had lived in the days of their fathers they would not have been partakers with them in slaying the prophets. But they are the children of the fathers and are guilty of the same deeds when Jesus denounces them.

6. Lamentation Over Jerusalem. The time of mercy has gone by when he would have gathered the children of Jerusalem as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wing for comfort and protection.

IX. THE WIDOW'S MITE (Mark 12:41-44; Luke 21:1-4). After this stern denunciation of the ruling powers, who, veiling their malice and wickedness under the pretense of righteousness, had sought to entrap him, Jesus sat down opposite the treasury in the court of the women and beheld the people casting in their voluntary gifts. Among the rest he noticed a certain poor widow who had in her possession only two mites, both of which she cast into the treasury, not realizing that special attention would be called to it. Because of her pious, sacrificing spirit it was declared that she had cast in more than all the rest, and that this gift should be known till the end of time.

X. THE GREEKS SEEK JESUS (John 12:20-36). While Jesus was still in the court of the women two of the apostles, Andrew and Philip, approached him with the strange announcement that the Greeks who had come to the feast desired to see him. They had learned of this great teacher and desired to look upon him with their own eyes. No sooner had he learned of their desire than he began to unfold the secret of real fruit-bearing by using the illustration of the planting of the corn of wheat. After he had given them this wonderful lesson of self-denial the company was startled by hearing a sound which but few in the company discerned as the voice from heaven saying, " I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again."

XI. THE JEWS REJECT JESUS (John 12:37-50). After giving his final warning to the ruling powers he departed from the temple and hid himself from them. After doing many mighty works in the Jewish nation, yet they would not believe on him.

XII. THE DISCOURSE ON JUDGMENT (Matt. 24:125:51; Mark 13:1-37; Luke 21:5-38). Jesus and his disciples now left the Temple (and as a Teacher he left the Temple forever), and they went on the road leading to Bethany. After they had crossed the Kidron and had come to the top of Mt. Olivet Jesus sat down to rest; his disciples began to invite his attention to the magnificence and solidity of the beautiful Temple from which they had just come. However, their words of admiration were followed by the prophecy "that a day was coming when not one of these massive stones should be left standing one upon another." And then follows, in answer to the question put by the disciples, "When shall these things be?" a further announcement of the destruction of the city and the end of the world. He told them that they should watch therefore, for they knew not on what day their Lord would come. He further emphasizes the necessity of watchfulness and preparation for this coming by reciting the parables of the ten virgins and the ten talents, concluding with the following words found in the second parable: "There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." He closed the discourse with a distinct declaration of the events that are to occur on the awful day when the Redeemer shall come in his glory to judge the living and the dead.

XIII. CONSPIRACY OF CHIEF PRIESTS AND JUDAS (Matt. 26:1-5, I4 -I 6; Mark 14:1,2, 10, n; Luke 22:1-6). After Jesus had closed the solemn prophecies of the judgments to come and of his second coming, he spoke to his disciples saying:" Ye know that after two days is the feast of the Passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified." After this Jesus returned to Bethany and remained there Wednesday and the greater part of Thursday. During this time the rulers of the Jewish nation were holding a formal consultation as to the best means of putting him to death. Judas was offered thirty pieces of silver to betray the Holy One, and loving the money more than his Lord he accepted the offer.

XIV. THE LORD'S SUPPER (Matt. 26:17-35; Mark 14:12-21; Luke 22:7-38; John 13:1-38). The time has come to make arrangements for the celebration of the Passover.

1. Preparation for the Passover. The disciples inquired of the Redeemer where he intended to celebrate this feast, and in reply Jesus sent Peter and John saying:" Go and prepare us the Passover, that we may eat; " and when they came to Jerusalem they found the room as Jesus had predicted and directed. After they had made the necessary arrangements, securing the lamb at the Temple, Jesus and the apostles came from Bethany and the twelve repaired to the upper room. While they were in the upper room a meal was prepared and they were reclining at the table.

2. As They Were Sitting at the Table Jesus washed the disciples' feet, presenting to them the lesson of humility. And he further enforced the lesson of equality by saying: "If I then, your Lord and Master have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet."

3. The Betrayal Predicted. After resuming his place at the table the supper continued and he said: "One of you shall betray me." At length they each began to ask:" Is it I? " Even Judas himself, the traitor, said, " Is it I? "

4. The New Commandment. After Judas had gone out Jesus told his disciples that he would be with them but a short time and gives them the commandment of love.

5. The Bread and Cup. At the conclusion of the supper the bread and wine were instituted, which represented Christ's body and blood.

6. Peter's Denial Foretold. The Savior now spoke to the apostles and told them how they would forsake him in the trying hour. This the apostles would not believe, and Peter said, "Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended." And Jesus knew his heart and said, " I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day before thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me."

XV. CHRIST'S FAREWELL DISCOURSE (John 14:1-16:33). In these chapters Jesus gives his farewell discourses to his disciples.

1. The Mansions Promised. He said to them, as the desolateness of their approaching situation weighed them down, " Let not your heart be troubled," and he gave them assurance that if they would ask anything in his name he would do it.

2. The Comforter Promised. As Jesus was about to leave them he gave them the assurance that another Comforter would come, who would give them strength and lead them into all truth. He further told them that it was expedient for him to go away, so that the Comforter might come.

3. Christ the True Vine. Jesus again teaches the close relationship between himself and his followers. They must be like the branches of the tree connected with the tree in order to receive nourishment. Unless the followers abide in Christ they can not bear fruit.

4. The Duty of Love. The disciples are commanded to love each other as Jesus loved them; and he further enforces the teaching by telling them that they did not choose him, but he had chosen them and ordained them to be fruit-bearers.

5. The World's Hatred. The Savior taught his followers the truth that they would be loved by the world if they were of the world, and that just as the world hated Jesus, so the disciples must expect to be hated by the world.

6. The Comforter's Work. After the Holy Spirit came the world would be reproved of sin and judgment. Jesus had yet many things to teach the disciples, but they were not far enough advanced to understand them.

7. The Savior's Home Going. Only a few days more and his work was to come to an end. He was anticipating his return to the glory that he had left in coming to prepare the way for salvation, and closed his discourse by saying: "I have overcome the world," which is necessary for every follower of Jesus to do.

XVI. THE PRAYER OF CHRIST (John 17:1-26). After giving the comforting words contained in the sermon, the Savior in the presence of his disciples offered up this remarkable prayer, worthy of careful study by every follower of Christ.

1. Prayer for Himself. Jesus, in speaking to the Father, asks to be glorified as his Son. He had glorified the Father on the earth during his mission and finished the work that was given him, and now desired to be restored to the same glory he enjoyed even before the world was.

2. Prayer for Present Disciples. Jesus, in speaking to the Father, tells him how he manifested his name to those that had come out of the world and had been kept by the word. He comforted the disciples by telling them that he would continue to speak to the Father on their behalf, and that they would be kept by the Father. He further asked that they might be sanctified through the truth. Continually our Savior is pleading with the Father that his children may be kept from the evil and made holy through the truth.

3. Prayer for the Future Disciples. While the former was comforting to the disciples who were present with the Master, he did not forget to put on record a living prayer for every one that accepts him as his Savior. He pleaded that there might be unity among his followers, and that when they were through with their mission here they would enjoy his holy presence in heaven.

XVII. THE AGONY IN GETHSEMANE (Matt. 26:3646; Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:39-46; John 18:i). On reaching this garden with the apostles he left the greater number at the outskirts, while with Peter, James and John he went further into the shadow of the overhanging olive trees. Here he began to be sore amazed and asked the three to watch while he went a short distance from them to engage in prayer. Here in agony our Savior realized the burden of sin that was upon him and drops of blood stood upon his face. He went three times to his apostles, and each time found them sleeping. He says: "Not my will, but thy will, O Lord, be done." This is his conquering cry. While the three, weary with watching and recent cares, had fallen asleep, the eight were probably beyond the hearing of his groans and cries. He says, "Arise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me."

XVIII. THE BETRAYAL AND ARREST (Matt. 26:47-56; Mark 14:43-52; Luke 22:47-53; John 18:2-12). When the disciples learned that the betrayer was at hand drowsiness was all driven from their eyes, and listening they heard the tramp of many feet and saw the gleam of lanterns and torches. Judas, now the traitor, stepped forward and kissed Jesus as if to manifest his devotion; but it was the sign agreed upon by which he was to identify the Master to the mob that came to arrest him. Peter now, in his impulsive courage, took his sword and cut off the ear of Malchus, a servant of the high priest. Jesus rebuked Peter and healed the wound, and then surrendered himself to the arresting party. At this the disciples were panic-stricken and scattered and hid. Their last hope of the Messiah had crumbled to pieces.

XIX. THE TRIAL OF JESUS (Matt. 26:57-27:30; Mark 14:53-15:19; Luke 22:54-23:25; John 18:13-19:15). After the Roman guard and officers had arrested Jesus they led him over the Kidron into the city of Jerusalem.

1. Before Annas. It was either suggested by some of the ruling powers or in harmony with custom that Jesus was first taken to the palace of Annas, the father-in-law of Caiaphas, for trial. While here one of the officers struck Jesus with the palm of his hand.

2. Before Caiaphas and the Sanhedrim. Annas then sent him to Caiaphas, where the scribes and the elders were in session. Those who held Jesus mocked him and smote him, and after blindfolding him they struck him on the face and asked him saying, Who is it that smote thee? The Sanhedrim sought for testimony and did not find any by which he could be condemned and put to death. The high priest accused him of blasphemy, and for this they decided that he was guilty of death.

3. The Denials of Peter. Peter during this time had followed Jesus afar off and was without in the palace. He denied three times that he was a follower of Jesus; and as he made these denials the cock crew, and he remembered the sayings of his Master and went out and wept bitterly.

4. The Condemnation of the Sanhedrim. Early in the morning the Sanhedrim met and decided that Jesus was worthy of death, and he was bound and led away to Pontius Pilate, the governor.

5. The Death of Judas. When Judas saw that Jesus was condemned he brought back the thirty pieces of silver to those from whom he had received them, and said, " I have sinned in that I have betrayed innocent blood." Not being able to undo his evil deed he went out and Committed suicide. It is better never to take money for that which must leave a guilty conscience and lead to final ruin.

6. Before Pilate. Jesus is now on trial before the governor. After the Jews presented many false accusations against him, Pilate said, " I find no fault in this man."

7. Before Herod. When Pilate learned that he was a Galilean and belonged to Herod's jurisdiction, he sent Jesus to Herod who himself also was at Jerusalem at that time. It pleased Herod that he had an opportunity to see him, for he hoped to see him perform some miracles. The chief priests and scribes stood by and brought all kinds of false accusations against him. Herod and his men mocked him and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe and sent him again to Pilate.

8. Before Pilate. After he returned, Pilate called the chief priests and rulers of the people and told them that he had carefully looked into the accusations and found no fault in this man. It was customary at the feast to release a prisoner, and Pilate took this opportunity to ask them whether he should release unto them Barabbas or Jesus, and they answered, " Barabbas." Pilate then said to them:" What then shall I do with Jesus, which is called the Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified." Pilate washed his hands as a pretense of innocence of the blood of the just person. But his guilt was not upon his hands, but in his heart, in pleasing the people when he might have saved the innocent Jesus, who is now scourged and delivered to be crucified. They put upon him a scarlet robe, a crown of thorns upon his head, a reed in his hand. They struck him with their hands, spit upon him and struck him on the head with a reed. Pilate again brought Jesus forth with a purple robe and a crown of thorns and declared to the Jews that he found no fault in him, and they cried again, "Crucify him.' crucify him!"

XX. THE CRUCIFIXION OF JESUS (Matt. 27:31-56; Mark 15:20-41; Luke 23:26-49; John 19:16-30). After they had mocked
him they put on him his own garments and led him away to be crucified. On the way to Calvary Simon of Cyrene bore Jesus' cross, compelled to do so by the soldiers. At Calvary they placed the cross upon the ground, and having placed the body of Jesus upon it they nailed him there. Then the cross with its suffering burden was raised to its place. After he was on the cross but a short time Jesus made his first utterance by saying, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." When one of the thieves, who were crucified with him, asked to be remembered by him, he answered: "Verily I say unto you, To day shall thou be with me in paradise." His mother stood by the cross and Jesus said to John who also stood there:" Behold thy mother," thus providing for her future support and protection. As the darkness was settling down upon the city Jesus cried:" My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? " Then a little later, feeling the torture of the fever of the crucifixion, he cried, " I thirst." As he approached the close of the suffering he uttered the words of triumph:" It is finished," and then with the cry, " Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit," he closed his earthly mission. Darkness continued from noon until three o'clock. Jerusalem was shaken by an earthquake so that even the rocks were rent asunder. The veil of the temple was rent. The graves were opened and many bodies of the saints which slept arose.

XXI. JESUS' BURIAL (Matt. 27:57-61; Mark 15:42-47; Luke 23:50-56; John 19:31-42). The Jews would not allow the body to remain upon the cross because of the Sabbath day. Joseph, a counsellor, a just and good man, went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate permitted him to have the body, and Joseph laid the body of Jesus in his own new tomb. The women returned and prepared spices and ointments for the purpose of anointing the body after the Sabbath.

XXII. THE GUARDS AT THE SEPULCHER (Matt. 27:62-66). The day after the preparation the chief priests and elders met and made arrangements to have the sepulcher made secure until the third day for fear the disciples would go and steal the body and report to the people that he had risen from the dead as he had prophesied he would. Pilate told them that they had a watch and they should make it as sure as they could.

QUESTIONS.

• Give the opening and closing events of this period.
• On what day did Jesus go into Jerusalem?
• Give the description of this journey.
• When and where did he curse the fig tree?
• How many times did Jesus cleanse the temple?
• On what day did they find the fig tree withered?
• Name the three parables of warning.
• What are the four questions?
• What is the great commandment?
• In what particulars does Jesus denounce the Scribes and Pharisees?
• How did they imitate their fathers?
• Why was the widow rewarded for casting in two mites?
• Why did the Greeks seek Jesus?
• Why refer to the "planting of a corn of wheat "?
• Where and what was his discourse on judgment?
• Who was to go and prepare the Passover?
• When did they eat the supper in the upper room?
• When did he wash the disciples' feet?
• What is represented by the bread and cup?
• What promises are made in the farewell discourse?
• What does Christ pray for in the seventeenth chapter of John's Gospel?
• Give the description of Jesus in Gethsemane?
• How often did he pray?
• Who were watching?
• Where were the eight apostles?
• What was his prayer'
• Who was Annas?
• What sign was used by Judas to make Jesus known?
• Where was Jesus taken for trial?
• How many times did Peter deny Jesus?
• Who was Pilate?
• Why take Jesus before Herod?
• Who was present when Jesus was crucified?
• Give the seven utterances of Jesus on the cross.
• What was done on each day?