The Last Days of Jesus Christ

This is an account of the Last Days of Jesus Christ before His mortal ministry was to end by crucifixion of His own people. This is for my New Testament class and really reminded me of how grateful I am for my Savior and what He endured for me because it was the will of our Father in Heaven who sent Him. He died for you and for me, because He wanted too, and He knew it was what needed to be done in order for us to be able to return to our Father in Heaven. The Atonement covers not only our sins, that we can pray for forgiveness for, but it also covers our Sorrows, struggles, and joys. Our Savior felt everything we feel now whether good or bad and that is why He tells us to come to Him, to let Him help us carry the burdens we carry. We were never asked to get through this life alone. That is why our Heavenly Father sent our Savior Jesus Christ. 

Day 1:

Jesus arrived in Jerusalem. He rode through the city gates on a donkey with a colt to a large crowd of people who knew Him as the “Prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.” Palm branches were put in His path and He was greeted 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.” (Matthew 21:9.) He went straight to the temple, recorded what He saw, and retired for the night.

Day 2:

The next day Jesus went straight to the temple again and challenged the religious Jewish leadership by clearing the area of those who were using the temple to trade and make money. By doing this He challenged their leadership. The issue was whether the House of God was to be a place to worship God or get 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.” (Matthew 21:13.)”

Day 3:

Jesus’ wrath in the temple raised the issue of authority and the priests would not let that go. The next day when Jesus came to the temple, the priests asked Him by what authority did He clear the temples? Jesus responded by giving a series of parables that offended the religious leaders in the temple. The scribes and Pharisees challenged Him again and Jesus openly denounced them and called them hypocrites. After this Jesus taught more in public, but to the Twelve Apostles only. The religious leaders felt that Jesus had the upper hand in the confrontations they had, and were plotting a way to bring about His death. They had to think of a way to arrest Christ without provoking crowd reaction, because Jesus had become very popular with the Jewish people. Something happened that was not expected and one of Jesus’ own disciples offered to betray Him.

Day 4:

Jesus knew of the plot and most likely spent the day in Bethany. The record of the gospel writers was silent on this day.

Day 5:

Jesus commemorated the Passover meal in a private home, where He introduced a new ordinance which was the Sacrament which would represent His atoning sacrifice. Christ prophesied of His death and indicated who would be the one to betray Him. Jesus then after some instructions offered a great intercessory prayer. Judas had left and he took the 11 to Gethsemane with Him. He took Peter, James and John further into the garden with Him, and then left them and went off alone to pray. “There he pled with his Heavenly Father to “let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” (Matthew 26:39.) The cup did not pass and Jesus suffered “the pain of all men” (D&C 18:11), an agony so excruciating that it caused him to bleed at every pore (D&C 19:18).” (LDS institute manual, New Testament pgs. 135-37)

   Later He rejoined His apostles and indicated that His betrayer was at hand. Then Judas came with an armed band to arrest Him. Jesus submitted without resistance and was brought to an illegal trial that same night.

Day 6:

The Jewish leaders didn’t want to just put Jesus to death but wanted to discredit Him before His own people. In order to do this the leaders charged Him with two crimes. Since He said He was the Son of God He was charged with blasphemy, which was a capital offense under Jewish law. This would discredit Jesus but the Jewish leaders knew with that only they could not sentence Him to death because the Roman governor could only do that. So they had to find a political indictment against Him.  They charged Him with sedition against the state (rebellion against government) for saying He was the “King of Jews.” “Though Pilate’s examination found Jesus guiltless of the charge, the Jewish leaders had incited the crowd to “destroy Jesus.” (Matthew 27:20.) Fearing a demonstration, Pilate gave in to the clamor to crucify Jesus, and the death sentence was pronounced.” (LDS institute manual, New Testament pgs. 135-37) Jesus was executed by crucifixion and later that afternoon voluntarily gave up His Spirit. At sundown Passover would begin and the Jewish leaders did not want a man remaining on the cross on the Sabbath especially the paschal Sabbath. Jesus’ body was removed that night and He was buried in a sealed tomb by two revering disciples.

Day 7:

This was the Jewish Sabbath. Jesus’ body stayed in the tomb, but in Spirit Christ administered in the realm of departed spirits.

Day of Resurrection:

“Had the gospel ended with Jesus’ burial, there would be no gospel story, no “good news.” The great message of these testators is that Jesus was risen and was seen again by many 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.”

“These are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” (John 20:31.)”  (LDS institute manual, New Testament pgs. 135-37)