Based on a True Story

Fictionalized stories cannot compare to the greatest truth of all

I recently saw One Life, a movie based on the true story of Sir Nicholas Winton. The British stockbroker helped rescue 669 Jewish children facing murder by Nazi Germany during the Holocaust, relocating them from Czechoslovakia to be fostered by citizens of Great Britain. It was an amazing story of compassion and overcoming insurmountable odds. The words “Based on a true story” appeared after the opening credits. Fictional stories cannot compare to true-life accounts.

There have been many movies about Jesus’ life, yet we never see the phrase “based on a true story” in the credits. Holy Week is more than based on a true story—it is the true story. His final week on earth can hold the moviegoer riveted to the screen, for the days are full of intrigue, betrayal, tragedy, and victory.

We hear the term “Holy Week,” and we know it is the week before Easter, but do we know all the highs and lows of it? Let’s look at how Christ’s mission unfolded.

Palm Sunday

Jesus had been teaching about the kingdom of God and His identity as the Messiah for three years when the time came for Him to formally and publicly make that claim in Jerusalem (John 12:12–15). When He arrived, people greeted Him with an ancient symbol of victory—palm branches. Thousands of Jews celebrated Jesus’ teachings about God’s kingdom and saw His miracles. Many believed He came to usher in the new kingdom promised in the Old Testament.

Holy Monday

Jesus walked through the temple in Jerusalem. Jesus became angry that the holy place of worship had become a place for buying and selling—and taking advantage of the poor. In His zeal, He overturned tables, enraging the vendors (Matthew 21:12–16). It is here that Jesus increases and intensifies His public messages. The Gospels record the outrage of the leaders of the day and the further plotting of Jesus’ death.

Holy Tuesday

Jesus becomes bolder in His messages and the revelation of His identity as He speaks in the temple courts. The religious leaders are upset at Jesus for establishing Himself as a spiritual authority. They organized an ambush with the intent to place Jesus under arrest. Scripture indicates that this Tuesday was also the day Judas Iscariot negotiated with the rabbinical court of ancient Israel to betray Jesus (Matthew 26:14–16).

Holy Wednesday

The Bible doesn’t say what the Lord did on the Wednesday of Passion Week. The day is sometimes referred to as “Silent Wednesday.” Scholars speculate that after two exhausting days in Jerusalem, Jesus and His disciples spent this day resting in Bethany in anticipation of Passover. Some say Jesus spent the hours in solitude with God, resting, praying, and reflecting on the week that had passed and the week ahead.

Maundy Thursday

The week takes a somber turn. Jesus sent Peter and John to the upper room in Jerusalem to prepare the Passover meal. That evening, Jesus washed His disciples’ feet as they prepared to share in the Passover. By performing this humble act of service, Jesus demonstrated by example how believers should love one another.

Later that evening in Gethsemane, Jesus was betrayed with a kiss by Judas Iscariot and arrested by the religious leaders. He was taken to the home of Caiaphas, the high priest, where the whole council had gathered to begin making their case against Jesus.

Meanwhile, Peter denied knowing Jesus three times before the rooster crowed (Matthew 26:17–75, Mark 14:12–72, Luke 22:7–62, and John 13:1–38).

Good Friday

After multiple unlawful trials, Jesus was sentenced to death by crucifixion, one of the most horrible and disgraceful methods of capital punishment known at the time. Friday evening, Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea took Jesus’ body down from the cross and laid it in a tomb.

Saturday in the tomb

Jesus’ body lay in its tomb, where it was guarded by Roman soldiers throughout the day on Saturday, which was the Sabbath. When the Sabbath ended, Christ’s body was ceremonially treated for burial with spices purchased by Nicodemus (John 19:39–40).

Easter, or Resurrection Sunday, is not considered part of Holy Week. This day holds its own spectacular significance in history and stands on its own.

Holy Week is not “based” on a true story. It is the truth—and the most extraordinary story ever told!

Major Lauren Hodgson is the head writer for the Spiritual Life Development Department at The Salvation Army USA Eastern Territory Headquarters.