If you knew you were going to die in a week, how would you invest your time?
This is what Jesus did...
Luke
9:51
Now it came to pass, when the time had
come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go
to Jerusalem.
Where He knew He would be rejected, falsely accused, beat,
whipped, crucified... resurrected, received up.
About a third of the gospels (30 out of 89 chapters),
are dedicated the final week of Christ, Passion Week, Holy Week. Almost half of John 48.5% (9.5 out of 21
chapters); Matt. 37.5% (8 out of 28); Mark 28.5% (6 out of 16); Luke 25% (6 out
of 24).
Jesus invested His time teaching in the temple by day,
and nights on the Mount of Olives, praying, or at Bethany with His friends,
Martha, Mary and Lazarus, just 2-3 miles from Jerusalem.
Luke
21:37-38
And in the daytime He was teaching in the temple, but at night He went out
and stayed on the mountain called Olivet. 38 Then early in
the morning all the people came to Him in the temple to hear Him.
Luke
22:53
When I was with you daily in the temple, you did not try to seize Me. But this
is your hour, and the power of darkness.
His passion week itinerary from Parade to Paradise:
Sunday
Palm Sunday.
Jesus headed from Bethany on the Mount of Olives, to
Jerusalem, on a donkey.
The DAY He did it was perfect. The sinless, spotless
Lamb of God came to them, on the very day in which each family chose their
spotless Passover Lamb. Exodus 12:1-14.
The WAY He did it couldn’t be missed. Exactly as
prophesied their Messiah came riding on the foal of a donkey. Zechariah 9:9.
The TIMING provided undeniable proof beyond the shadow
of a doubt, of Who He was and what He was doing...
About 500 years prior the angel Gabriel told Daniel,
that Messiah would come “sixty-nine weeks” after the decree to rebuild
Jerusalem. Daniel 9:25. (69 sevens, or 483 years, or 173,880 days)
The decree came, March 14, 445 BC by Artaxerxes
(Nehemiah 2).
Exactly,
to the day, 173,880 days later to the day, on April 6 32 AD Jesus, rode into
Jerusalem on a donkey’s colt.
The crowd hailed Him as Messiah and King, shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! The King of Israel!” Psalm 118:25-26.
The crowds cheered.
Jesus teared.
Jesus sobbed as He looked out over Jerusalem because:
1. He knew they would not accept Him as the Passover
Lamb.
2. They would be destroyed because they did not know
the time of their visitation (Luke 19:44).
3. In less than a week the cheers would turn to jeers;
from Hosanna to Crucify Him.
KNOWING ALL THAT, HE DIDN'T TURN, HE DIDN'T RUN, He dried His eyes and made His way into Jerusalem and into the temple and looked around and because it was already late, He returned to lodge at Bethany. Mark 11:11.
Mad Monday
Faith Forgiveness Fakeness
On the way from Bethany back to Jerusalem Jesus was
hungry and stopped by a fig tree full of leaves, but it had no figs, it looked
good on the outside but had no fruit.
Have you ever had one of those Mondays?
So, for the hypocrisy of the fruitless fig, He said, “May
no one eat fruit from you again.”
It withered on the spot. Matt. 21:18-19, Mark 11:12-14, 22-26.
The disciples were amazed. Wow, how’d the tree wither
so fast?
Jesus wouldn’t miss this moment to minister a
multipurpose object lesson in FAITH, FORGIVENESS AND FAKENESS.
1) FAITH. Mark 11:22-24. “Have faith in God. 23 For assuredly,
I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the
sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says
will be done, he will have whatever he says. 24 Therefore
I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you
receive them, and you will have them.”
2) FORGIVENESS AND PRAYER. Mark 11:25-26. “And
whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive
him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. 26 But if
you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.”
3). FAKENESS (HYPOCRISY). He showed His disdain
for hypocrisy, by doing to the fig tree what would happen to Jerusalem because
of their hypocrisy.
Speaking of hypocrisy, once in Jerusalem, Jesus made a
whip and went DOGE on the waste, fraud and abuse, in the temple and drove out
the den of thieves. Matt. 21:12-13, Mark 11:15-17, Luke 19:45-46.
What? No! Not our meek and mild gentle Jesus.
Yes, this justice is rising, judgement is coming, peace
through strength, Savior Jesus.
The temple merchants were taking advantage of
travelers. Fleecing them over their fleece; saying their lamb was not good
enough. “But no worries, we have just what you need in the temple corral. For a
small fee, of course.”
Then, when trying to pay the outrageous, small fee.
“Oh, I’m so sorry we can’t take foreign currency, but no worries we can
exchange it for temple currency. For a small fee, of course.
The Good Shepherd protects His sheep.
The thief pretends to be a shepherd but comes only to
steal, kill and destroy. John 10:10.
So, when the True Shepherd shows up and goes Epic
Fury like a Roaring Lion, to protect the sheep, the
wolves growl, their fangs show, they can't help exposing the wickedness of
their hearts.
Anyone against driving out dens of thieves, and evil
regimes, are not shepherds, are not protectors, are not representatives of we the
people, but are wolves in sheep's clothing.
After Jesus drove out the hypocrites, then, the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple, and He healed them. Matt. 21:14.
Teaching Tuesday
Taught in the temple and on the mount.
Jesus went to the temple again and taught, taught, taught, a lot, lot, lot. Matthew 21:23-23:39, Mark 11:27-12:44, Luke 20:1-21:4.
He told the parable of the two sons (Matt. 21:28-32), and the one about the wicked vinedressers (Matt. 21:33-45), and of course the parable of the wedding feast (Matt. 22:1-14) and He schooled the Pharisees about paying taxes (Matt. 22:15-22) and silenced the Sadducees with wisdom about the Resurrection (Matt. 22:23-33). He clearly revealed the Greatest Commandment (Matt. 22:34-40) and then He stumped them all when He asked, “If David calls Him Lord, how is He his Son?” Matt. 22:41-46.
He was just getting warmed up, when He threw the
scribes and Pharisees under the chariot with a long list of woes.
Matthew 23:13-33...
But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up
the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go
in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go
in.
...
15 Woe
to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win
one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son
of hell as yourselves.
...
25 Woe
to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of
the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion
and self-indulgence.
...
27 Woe
to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed
tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of
dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. 28 Even so
you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of
hypocrisy and lawlessness.
...
33 Serpents, brood of
vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell?
OLIVET DISCOURSE
Then, He went out of the temple and the city and traveled
His familiar path back to the Mount of Olives.
The disciples followed, and He taught them even more.
We call this the Olivet Discourse, Matthew 24:1-25:46,
Mark 13:1-37, Luke 21:5-36.
He taught about the destruction of the temple, the
signs of the times, the great tribulation and the end of the age.
Jesus said and did so much that if they
were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not
contain the books that would be written. John 21:25.
Some say this day, was His busiest day. When all is
said and done, they figure He probably ministered about twenty hours or more,
this Terrific Teaching Tuesday.
Watch & Pray Wednesday
Since there’s no Biblical record of this specific day,
some say He took Wednesday off.
After all Tuesday was a long day. Plus, it compliments
His teaching that we ought to work six days and rest one.
One thing’s for sure and certain, as per His custom,
if He wasn’t teaching, He was praying.
Especially, knowing that His enemies were secretly scheming to take him by trickery and kill him. Matt. 26:3-5, Mark 14:1-2, Luke 22:1-2.
HE
KNEW SOMETHING WAS BREWING SO HE WAS PREPRAYERING.
Jesus would tell Peter on Friday, “Watch and pray
that you enter not into temptation.” Matthew 26:41.
2
Corinthians 10:4-5
For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the
pulling down of strong holds; 5 Casting down imaginations, and
every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing
into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ
Ephesians
6:12-13
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against
powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual
wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of
God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to
stand.
Thursday
Last Supper
Matthew 26:20-35, Mark 14:17-26, Luke 22:14-30.
The Last Supper depicts all the sacrifices, all the
shed blood, all pointing to this moment, when The Lamb of God
takes away the sins of the world.
This is My body, broken for you,
(Final, Perfect, Sacrifice—no more bloody bodies needed).
This is My blood of the New Covenant, shed
for the remission of sins.
Do this in remembrance of Me.
This is why we take communion in honor and remembrance
of Him.
Upper Room Discourse
John 13:1-17:26.
Jesus washed His disciples’ feet, even those of Judas.
Jesus loved Judas to the end. He gave Judas the honor of sitting near Him and
dipping bread with Him. He held the door of repentance open until Judas slammed
it shut and walked away.
Jesus gave the New Commandment; love as I have
loved. John 13:34-35.
He Predicted Peter's denial. Told him the devil desired to sift him like wheat, but I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” (Matthew 26:33-35, Mark 14:29-31, Luke 22:31-34, John 13:37-38).
He told them (and tells us):
I AM the Way, the Truth, the
Life. John 14:6.
Peace, I leave with you; My peace I
give you. John 14:27.
I AM the Vine you are the
branches. John 15:5.
These things I have spoken, that My joy
may remain in you and your joy may be full. John 15:11.
In the world will have tribulation but be
of good cheer, I have overcome the world. John 16:33.
He told them He would not leave them orphans, but would
send the Helper, Comforter, Teacher, His Holy Spirit. John 14:26.
Jesus wrapped up the Upper Room Discourse with the
Powerful Passionate Prayer, that also includes us today. John 17.
I do not pray for these alone, but also
for those who will believe in Me through their word, John 17:20. (That’s
us!)
Father, make them one, as we are One. Keep
them from the evil one.
In this prayer He left us an example and a challenge
to be able to say: “Of all those You’ve given us, none are lost.”
Garden of Gethsemane
Matthew 26:36-46, Mark 14:32-42, Luke 22:39-46.
Gethsemane means oil press. Olives were pressed until
oil “bled” out of them.
The pressure against Jesus so intense, His pray so
earnest, He sweat great drops of blood.
He asked for help from His friends, telling them to
watch and pray. But He prayed alone...They slept.
Nevertheless, He won the battle of the cross before
Him, by yielding to His Father, “Not My will but Thine be done” Luke 22:42.
The first Adam sinned in a garden, bringing death.
The last Adam suffered in a garden, bringing Life.
Friday
Betrayed with a kiss,
Matthew 26:47-56, Mark 14:43-52, Luke 22:47-53, John 18:2-12.
While the disciples were sleeping and Jesus was
praying, sweating, great drops of blood, in marched a band of soldiers, led by
Judas.
With the ultimate picture of hypocrisy and betrayal, Judas
planted, the kiss of death, on the One who loved him best.
Jesus knew what he was doing and said, “You betray
the Son of Man with a kiss?” Luke 22:48.
Sleepy Peter swung his sword and chopped off Malchus'
ear (servant of high priest).
Jesus told Peter to put it away, for he who lives
by the sword dies by the sword.
Don't you know I could pray and My Father would
provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels? Matt. 26:51-53.
Then, Jesus touched and healed Malchus' ear. Luke 22:50-51.
Then, He allowed the soldiers to bind Him and lead Him,
like He was a criminal.
Sham trials
Matthew 26:57-68, 27:1-2, Mark 14:53-65, 15:1, Luke 22:54-23:25, John 18:13-19:16.
Jesus stood before the Jewish religious leaders,
Annas, Caiaphas, the Sanhedrin.
Then He stood before the Roman political leaders,
Pilate, Herod and then Pilate again.
The religious leaders only sought a way to destroy
Him.
Herod only wanted a show.
Only Pilate was looking for Truth, and found it,
saying, I find no fault in this man. Luke 23:4.
But the mob cried for crucifixion.
Pilate, washed his hands, saying I am innocent of the
blood of this just Man. Matt. 27:24.
The Cross
Matthew 27:27-54, Mark 15:16-39, Luke 23:26-49, John 19:16-37.
Jesus the Creator, willingly allowed His creation, to
crucify Him.
Like six days of creation, and then, rest; He hung on
the cross enduring the pain for six hours, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Seven times He spoke from the cross, delivering an
eternal message each time:
Forgiveness. Father, forgive them, they know
not what they do. Luke 23:34.
Salvation. I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise. Luke 23:39-43.
House in order. “Woman,
behold, your son.” Then, to John, “Behold, your mother.” From that
hour John took her into his home. John 19:25-27.
Even in humanity, He fulfilled prophecy. “I thirst.”
John 19:28-29. To fulfill Scripture, Psalm 69:21. “...in my thirst they
gave me vinegar to drink.”
Our sin on Him. “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which
is translated, My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me? Mark 15:33-34.
Paid in full. “It is finished (Tetelestai)!” And
bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. John 19:30.
Finish Well. “Father, into Your hands I commit My
Spirit” and when He had said this, He breathed his last. Luke 23:44-46. He
gave His life, like a soldier, He took the bullet, to save the world. He stayed
the course until the mission was complete, then, He went Home.
Burial
Matthew 27:57-61, Mark 15:42-47, Luke 23:50-54, John 19:38-42.
Even His burial was a fulfillment of prophecy.
Isaiah
53:9
And they made His grave with the wicked— But with the rich at His death,
Because He had done no violence, nor was any deceit in His mouth.
Matthew
27:57-60
When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea named Joseph,
who himself was a disciple of Jesus. 58 He went to Pilate to
ask for the body of Jesus, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. 59
So Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and
placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut into the rock. Then he
rolled a great stone across the entrance to the tomb and went away.
That was Friday... Sonday's coming!
If you knew you were going to die in a week, how would
you invest your time?
That is what Jesus did.
Let's pray.
Lord Jesus, thank You for teaching, and
healing, and serving, and preprayering, saying, “not My will but Yours be done.”
Thank You, for staying the course, paying in full, finishing well, able to say,
“Father, into Your hands I commit My Spirit.” So, today, we can pray, knowing You’ll
help us be able to say, “Of all those You’ve given us, none are lost.”
Thank You Victorious Lord.
We’re overjoyed and honored to love You,
forever.
Amen.
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