Holy week in Jerusalem has been an experience beyond any other! I wouldn't trade it for anything! I have learned so much about my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I have been able to walk where he walked and visit where the events in his life have taken place!
My Holy Week started out with an email from my amazing roommate Katie Larson. She emailed me this list which was created by a previous Jerusalem Center Director Dr. Huntsman.
A Chronology of the Final Days of the Savior’s Life
Friday or Saturday
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The anointing described by John (John 12:1–11)
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Palm Sunday
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Triumphal Entry; cleansing of the temple (Matthew 21:1–17; Mark: 11:1–11; Luke 19:28–46; John 12:12–19). Suggested Music: Sing “All Glory, Laud, and Honor.” Blessing of Palms and procession St. George Anglican Cathedral (10:30 a.m., 20 Nablus Road);Palm Sunday processional from Bethphage to St. Anne’s Church (2:30 p.m.)
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Monday
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Cursing of the fig tree; cleansing of the temple in Mark; teaching in the temple (Matthew 21:18–22:14; Mark 11:12–19; Luke 19:47–20:18; John 12:20–36). Suggested Music: Sing “Come, O Thou King of Kings.” Go up on the Temple Mount (no scriptures or hymnbooks) and/or sit somewhere on the Mount of Olives or on a Jerusalem Center terrace where you can read Jesus’ teachings in the temple while you view the Haram.
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Tuesday
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Lessons from the fig tree; more teachings in the; the Olivet Discourse (Matthew 22:15–25:46; Mark 11:20–13:37; Luke 20:19–21:38; John 12:37–50). Suggested Music: “Jehovah, Lord of Heaven and Earth.” Go to the Orson Hyde Memorial Gardens (in a large group) or the Pater Noster Church to read, sing, and view the city as Christ would have when he delivered the Olivet Discourse.
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Wednesday
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Plot to kill Jesus; the anointing described by Mark and Matthew; Judas agrees to betray Jesus (Matthew 26:1–16; Mark 14:1–11; Luke 22:1–6). Suggested Music: “O Love That Glorifies the Son.” Bethany is not an option, so find another site on the Mount of Olives to remember the last day that Jesus spent with his friends, taking time in particular to recount the anointing of the unnamed woman and what it represents.
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Thursday
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The Last Supper; Gethsemane; betrayal and arrest; Jesus before the Jewish authorities (Matthew 26:17–26:75; Mark 14:12–72; Luke 22:7–71; John 13:1–18:27). Suggested Music: Listen Bach’s St. Matthew Passion; sing “Reverently and Meekly Now.” Go to the Garden of Gethsemane during the day, perhaps visit St. Peter’s in Gallicantu (site of Jesus’ hearing before Caiaphas) and the Cenacle (traditional Last Supper site). Students should not be in the Old City or East Jerusalem after dark.
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Good Friday
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Jesus in the hands of the Romans; the Crucifixion; the burial (Matthew 27:1–61; Mark 15:1–47; Luke 23:1–56; John 18:28–19:42). Suggested Music: Listen to Bach’s St. John Passion; sing “O Savior, Thou Who Wearest a Crown” and “Behold the Great Redeemer Die.” Join the Via Dolorosa Way of the Cross procession (starting at 11:30 a.m. at the First Station down from Lion’s Gate); attend the Good Friday Service at Christ Church (1:00 p.m. inside Jaffa Gate across from the Citadel); go to the Garden Tomb to contemplate the Burial.
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Saturday
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Jesus in the Spirit World (Matthew 27:62–66; 3 Nephi 9–10; 1 Peter 3:18–4:6; D&C 138). Suggested Music: Listen to Wilberg’s Reqieum or Cundick’s Redeemer; sing “Turn Your Hearts.”
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Easter Sunday
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The Resurrection (Matthew 28:1–15; Mark 16:1–14; Luke 24:1–49; John 20:1–23). Suggested Music: Listen to Handel’s Messiah; sing “Christ the Lord is Risen Today.” Attend the Easter Sunrise Service in the garden of the German Archaeological Institute-Auguste Victoria Compound (5:30 a.m., on Mount Scopus behind the center), the Sunrise Resurrection Services at the Garden Tomb (6:30 and 9:30 a.m.) or the Solemn High Mass at Notre Dame of Jerusalem (10:00 a.m., opposite New Gate).
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Sadly I was not able to take part in all of these joyous events but i was able to participate in quite a few and it was AMAZING! Each day I was able to read the scriptures that correlated with that day in Christ's life. This is how I spent my week.
Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday was a beautiful day. I went and spent time in the beautiful old city before I was given the chance to participate in the Palm Sunday walk. Palm Sunday is the day of the Triumphal entry. Sadly I was not able to do it on a donkey like Christ but i was able to walk over the Mt. of Olives into the same gate to the pools of Bethesda just as Christ did. We bought some Palm fronds and went to the Bethphage church. It was truly incredible to be able to do that with so many believers in Christ. There were so many different groups of people worshiping in different ways as we traveled down the hill. There was a lot of singing, praying, and praising. As I walked down into the valley and back up into the city I couldn't help but think that Christ took a route much like this only a week before he suffered for me! It was incredible!!
I got a little baby one but I don't think i could have carried a big one the whole way!
Monday - Wednesday
These days I spend out in the city. The same city that Christ taught in. We tried to go up onto the Temple Mount but becuase of all of the tourists this week the line was waaayyyy to long to wait for so we just saw it form a far (but that isn't really hard since all I have to do is look out my porch window to see it teehee). As i read the scriptures for these days I learned a lot more about Christ and his teachings.
Holy Thursday
I was able to go to Gethsemane and think about the amazing thing that Christ performed for me. Gethsemane is small but there is so much power there. Every time I go into that garden i have this amazing feeling and this day in particular was an amazing opportunity to go. Christ suffered for my sins. He suffered for me so much more then anyone can even fathom.
"And lo, he shall suffer temptations, and pain of body, hunger, thirst, and fatigue, even more than man can suffer, except it be unto death; for behold, blood cometh from every pore, so great shall be his anguish for the wickedness and the abominations of his people" - Mosiah 3:7
Christ suffered all of those things for each of us individually and I know without a doubt that even if only one of us where on this earth he would do it again just for us. He loves each and everyone of us and he suffered in that garden just for me and you. Being in the Garden of Gethsemane on that day was something that is unforgettable.
Good Friday
Sadly I was sick this day and was unable to, but many of my friends where able to walk the via dolorosa. The via dolorosa is the walk that Christ took with his cross to Golgotha. This would have been an amazing experience but i fully intended on doing it even if it isn't good Friday anymore. Although I wasn't able to do the walk I have walked on those city streets and I am truly amazed at what a feat it is. The old city has a valley that runs right through the middle of it which would have been a lot bigger during the time of Christ. the streets are also cobble stone which even in good shoes is hard to walk on let alone in sandals or bare feet carrying a cross. He truly was so strong even after everything that he had already gone through.
After carrying that cross he would have taken that cross to Golgotha. There are two Golgotha's here in Jerusalem. There is one at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and one right next to the garden tomb. It could have happened at either but I believe that it was near the garden tomb. Because I was sick, I wasn't able to go on Friday but I have been before and intend to go back again very soon. It is truly amazing to think that Christ suffered again on that Christ and was left on his own completely for a time just so that he could help us. He truly loves us so much.
Saturday
Here in Jerusalem, Saturday is the Sabbath so we have Church on Saturdays. Today is also the second day after his death and it would have been the day that he was teaching and spreading his gospel in the spirit world. I was able to read the scriptures for this day and think greatly about all of the people that learned from his while he was there. It is truly amazing to think of Christ continuing to teach after everything that he had just endured.
Easter Sunday
Today was an unforgettable day. We woke up at 5 am so that we could attend a sunrise service at the garden tomb. The tomb was found empty on the morning of the first day of the week. When Mary arrived at the tomb at sunrise it was found empty, and today, the tomb was empty. We were able to celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ today with thousands of other Christians in the tomb and even more watching the service on T.V. The students at the JC are so blessed because the Garden tomb saves the Mormon students seats on the steps that lead right down to the tomb. We were able to sit right in front of the tomb for the entire service! It was truly a blessing and an amazing opportunity. Christ was risen for me and you. He was rise so that one day we can return to live with him again!!
Christ suffered and died for us and on Easter that is what we celebrate. sure, the Easter eggs and candy but what is really important is Christ and what he endured for us. I am so grateful for him and everything that he has done for me in my life. I am grateful for this opportunity to be here during this beautiful Holy Week.
He is Risen!!
