Passion week. This is the week that culminates Jesus’ ministry here on earth. Everything before this in Scripture points to this week and everything after is because of this week. The passion week is worth our time and attention. We hope that you will join us in this daily reading plan and remember what took place 2000 years ago that can lead to beautiful healing, transformation, and a way back to a God who waits with open arms for each one of us.
Set aside 10 minutes a day and read through these passages in the Gospels that walk you through what happened on that day. Then, process what you notice and learn.
These accounts were written by 4 eyewitnesses (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) to Jesus’ life and ministry. They each have a unique perspective and include different details of this week in Jesus’ ministry. They all called Jesus friend and teacher and would ultimately give up their lives to tell the world about this man they believed was the Messiah the world had been waiting for.
SUNDAY: This is the day of the triumphal entry into Jerusalem. The City is crowded because people have traveled to Jerusalem for Passover.
Read Luke 19:29-44, Mark 11:1-11, and John 12:12-19
- What stood out to you as you read?
- What is something you notice about Jesus?
MONDAY: Jesus goes to the temple and spends time teaching.
Read: Matthew 21:11-17, John 12:20-50
- What stood out to you as you read?
- What is something you notice about Jesus?
TUESDAY: This is Jesus’ last day of teaching publicly.
Read: Mark 11:20-25, Mark 12:1-44, Matthew 23:1-39
- What stood out to you as you read?
- What is something you notice about Jesus?
Extra reading for today: Extended teaching Jesus did on Tuesday afternoon/evening (Matthew 24:1-25:46)
WEDNESDAY: There isn’t a record of what Jesus did on this day besides attending this dinner. Most scholars agree that after 2 full days he probably rested in preparation for Passover and what was to come.
Read: Matthew 26:1-16
- What stood out to you as you read?
- What is your relationship with rest like?
- What might you learn from Jesus here?
THURSDAY: This is the day of what we call The Last Supper. Jesus spends time with his closest disciples teaching them & trying to prepare them for what was to come.
Read: Luke 22:7-16, John 13:1-38, Luke 22:17-20, Matthew 26:36-46
- What stood out to you as you read?
- What do you learn about God’s character (through observing Jesus)?
- What is something you learn about humanity through Jesus teaching?
Extra reading for today: Extended teaching Jesus did John 14:1-17:26
FRIDAY: There is so much recorded about this day (that we call Good Friday). Read as much as you are able to see all that Jesus went through on this day to make a way for us back to God.
Read: John 18:2-14, Matthew 26:57-68, Matthew 26:69-75, Luke 22:66-71, John 18:28-38, Luke 23: 6-12, Matthew 27:15-32, Luke 23:26-43, Matthew 27: 45-56, John 19:31-42, Mark 15:42-45
- What stood out to you as you read?
- What is something you notice about Jesus?
- What emotions come up for you as you read these passages?
- What response surfaces for you out of this reading?
SATURDAY: This day was a silent one. Jesus was dead & his disciples were hiding in fear and sorrow.
Read: Matthew 27:62-66
- What stood out to you as you read?
You can use this day to catch up on reading you did not get to yesterday.
SUNDAY: Jesus overcomes evil when He rises from the dead. Even though he told his disciples he would rise, they did understand until it happened.
Read: John 20:1-18, Matthew 28:11-15, Luke 24:13-43, John 20:24-29
- What stood out to you as you read?
- What did you notice about Jesus?
- What emotions came up for you as you read?
- What is your response to what you read?