04/07/2023
It's been a busy week, and there's been so much news to process and digest. Here's a brief summary:
Sunday - Jesus enters Jerusalem riding on a humble donkey. The people are hopeful that Jesus will finally take care of their enemies but are probably confused when Jesus says, “See, your King is coming to you, gentle, and mounted on a donkey" (Matt 21:9).
Monday - On his way to the temple, Jesus gives a sober warning to his followers. He curses a fig tree for not having fruit. It withers and dies. When he arrives at the temple, he drives out those who are preventing true worship. He says, "My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations" (Mark 11:17).
Tuesday - He responds with grace and truth against many challenges to his authority. He tells the crowd to "Give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s" (Mark 12:17) and says to "Love the Lord with all your heart and your neighbor as yourself" (Mark 12:30).
Wednesday - While Judas is plotting to betray him, Jesus is anointed with expensive oil by a sinful woman. The disciples are indignant, but Jesus defends her and says, "By pouring this perfume on my body, she has prepared me for burial" (Matt 26:12).
Thursday - Jesus institutes the Lord's Supper. He serves the disciples and washes their feet, including Judas. Later that night, he earnestly prays in the garden and then commands his disciples to love one another. He says, “I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another" (John 13:34). Judas shows up with soldiers, and Jesus is arrested. His "trial" begins and continues into the night. Jesus doesn't say much to defend himself.
Friday - Friday morning, Jesus is taken to Pilate. He tells Pilate, "My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would fight" (John 18:36). Pilate wants to release Jesus, but the crowd shouts, "Crucify him!" Jesus is beaten, mocked, and crucified. While hanging on the cross, he says, "Father, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing" (Luke 23:34). He dies and is taken down from the cross, wrapped in linens, and placed in a tomb.
The last week of Jesus' life is incredibly profound. I can't help but think that every action, every word, was carefully planned and spoken for our benefit. As we look at how Jesus lived his last week, we see that he was amazingly loving and kind. He wasn't angry or bitter. Even on "Aggressive Monday"(I just made that up), his energy was focused on making sure the temple was a place of worship for all people, not just the religious elite. Again and again, he emphasizes love, even love for his enemies. And he dies thinking about forgiveness.
Oh, what a Savior! May we be truly thankful and more fully convicted of what it means to be a follower of Jesus.
For His glory,
Pastor Tim