The Passion Week events: the worst-kept secret ever?
The events of Passion Week surprised the disciples of Jesus.
They shouldn’t have, many things that happened were written down hundreds of years in advance. The Old Testament recorded numerous times what the people of Jesus’ day should have known to expect. From Genesis to Malachi, the prophets and writers gave minute details about what to expect when the Messiah arrived.
The disciples should have walked around with their Bibles open looking for the verses that predicted everything from donkeys, palm branches, pieces of silver, songs of Hosanna, and of course the crucifixion, and the spear in the side of Christ.
Jesus told his friends he was going to be crucified. He told them about the resurrection. He said he would rise again on the third day. Yet, they were all surprised anyway.
Let’s look at just a few of the Passion Week events that surprised everyone, including those who should have expected them.
Rejected by the Jews
Old Testament prediction
Isaiah 53:3 3 He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.
Passion Week fulfillment
John 1:11 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.
The Triumphal Entry
Old Testament prediction
Zechariah 9:9 9 Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
Passion Week fulfillment
John 12:13-14 13They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD!” “Blessed is the king of Israel!” 14Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written:
Betrayed by a Friend
Old Testament prediction
Psalm 41:9 9 Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned against me.
Passion Week fulfillment
Mark 14:10 10 Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them.
Sold for thirty pieces of silver
Old Testament prediction
Zechariah 11:12 12I told them, “If you think it best, give me my pay; but if not, keep it.” So they paid me thirty pieces of silver.
Passion Week fulfillment
Matthew 26:15 15 and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver.
Jesus was silent when accused
Old Testament prediction
Isaiah 53:7 7 He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.
Passion Week fulfillment
Matthew 26:62-63 62 Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” 63But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.”
Jesus took the punishment for our sins to heal our sickness
Old Testament prediction
Isaiah 53:4-5 4Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds, we are healed.
Passion Week fulfillment
Matthew 8:16-17 16 When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases.”
Passion Week: He was crucified alongside sinners
Old Testament prediction
Isaiah 53:12 12Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors.
Passion Week fulfillment
Matthew 27:38-39 Two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. 39Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads
Passion Week: His hands and feet were pierced
Old Testament prediction
Psalm 22:16 Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircles me; they pierce my hands and my feet.
Passion Week fulfillment
John 20:27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
Passion Week then His Resurrection
Old Testament prediction
Psalm 16:10 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay.
Passion Week fulfillment
It should have been obvious to the disciples but they were more surprised than everyone else. They spent three years with him and didn’t understand. We should be encouraged by their lack of insight because we all have the same problems, don’t we?
Bible prophecy is one of the most important proofs regarding the accuracy and faithfulness of the scriptures, and the God who promises to return in the last days.
Spread the news; it’s Great news, not just good.
Let me know what you think.