Updated June, 2025
What would it be like to walk with Jesus through Holy Week—the week between Passion or Palm Sunday and his resurrection? Each of the gospels presents a glimpse of the story, but to get a fuller picture you really need to piece the gospels together. Michael Wilkins does just that in his commentary on the gospel of Matthew by presenting a harmony of the events of Jesus’ week of passion, including his post-resurrection appearances. We took this outline, selected some of the Scriptures he notes, and formed a service that we used on Palm Sunday evening as an alternative to a Service of Shadows on Maundy Thursday.
Call to Worship: Luke 9:51
Saturday
Arrival in Bethany; evening celebration; Mary anoints Jesus
Scripture reading: John 12:1-8
Song: “Ah, Holy Jesus” Heermann
Sunday
Triumphal entry into Jerusalem; Jesus surveys the temple area; return to Bethany
Scripture reading: Mark 11:1-11
Song: “All Glory, Laud, and Honor” Orleans
Monday
Cursing the fig tree on the way to Jerusalem; clearing the temple; miracles and challenges in the temple; return to Bethany
Scripture reading: Mark 11:12-19
Song: “Day of Judgment, Day of Wonders”
Tuesday
Reaction to cursing the fig tree on the way back to Jerusalem; debates with religious leaders in Jerusalem and teaching in the temple; End Times discourse on the Mount of Olives on the return to Bethany
Scripture reading: Mark 11:20-26
Song: “Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed” Watts
Wednesday
“Silent Wednesday”; Jesus and disciples remain in Bethany for last time of fellowship; Judas returns alone to Jerusalem to make arrangements for the betrayal
Scripture reading: Mark 14:1-11
Sermon
Prayer
Song: “Beneath the Cross of Jesus” Clephane
Offering
Thursday
Preparations for Passover; after sundown: Passover meal and Last Supper; Upper Room discourses; prayers in the Garden of Gethsemane
Scripture reading: Mark 14:12-26
Song: “Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross” Crosby
Friday
Sometime perhaps after midnight: Betrayal and arrest; Jewish trial—Jesus appears in three phases in front of Annas, Caiaphas, and partial Sanhedrin; Sanhedrin fully assembled (perhaps after sunrise); Roman trial—Jesus appears in three phases before Pilate, Herod Antipas, and back to Pilate; crucifixion (approximately 9:00 a.m.to 3:00 p.m.)
Scripture reading: Mark 15:16-39
Song: “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” Watts
God’s Blessing
Song: “Man of Sorrows—What a Name” Bliss
Postlude