Passion Week - Sunday HE IS RISEN

There are two of my favorite Easter songs. Rise Again by Dallas Holm is the original but there are times only a Gaither gathering can do.

If you’ve got a favorite Easter song or scripture, please post in comments.

Why do you seek the living among the dead?

Matt 28:1-8

Mark 16:1-8 

Luke 24:1-12 

John 20:1-13

Roman soliders overpowered by the women and disciples! 

Matthew 28:11-15

Did not our hearts burn within us?

Luke 24:13-35 The Road to Emmaus
Matt 28:9-10 (Luke 24:10-11) John 20:14-18

Jesus appears to the disciples, but Thomas is...somewhere

John 20:19-23 

Thomas is satisfied!

John 20:24-29 - Thomas has to wait 8 days after uttering his famous words.

1 Corinthians 15:1-56 Sums up the resurrection beautifully

Passion Week - Saturday (Where was Jesus?)

The body of Jesus was laid in the tomb and rock was placed in front, but it wasn't sealed as of yet. Here comes the Jewish leaders requesting more from Pilate in Matthew 27:62-64

The next day (which is after the day of preparation) the chief priests and the Pharisees assembled before Pilate and said, “Sir, we remember that while that deceiver was still alive he said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ So give orders to secure the tomb until the third day. Otherwise his disciples may come and steal his body and say to the people, ‘He has been raised from the dead,’ and the last deception will be worse than the first.”

The Pharisees did in fact push that theory in the coming days in which the disciples stole the body, but that would have meant overpowering skilled Roman soldiers who were guarding the tomb. Not a chance!

At any rate Pilate approved the request and sent soldiers to seal up and guard the tomb.

For a really interesting look at the type of tombs employed and how they were sealed in that era, check out this post

Presumed tomb of Herod's Family

The most common type of tomb seal - a Cork!

What most of us think of when seeing the sealed tomb of Jesus

 The next question is where was Jesus during this time? If Jesus was fully God and fully man, the man is dead, but where is His spirit?

There actually is quite a bit of debate about this among theologians (who would have thought?) and here is a really fascinating read for those interested. Needless to say, I've got my own thoughts, per Scripture.

In 1 Peter 3:18-19, we read during the time in the tomb, Jesus went to preach to spirits in prison. I was taught Jesus went to hell to proclaim victory over death and set free those "still in prison". Who was in prison? In context, it was the people disobedient in Noah's day, who died in the flood.

Also, in Ephesians 4:8-10, one of the interesting parts of this is found here:

Now what is the meaning of “he ascended,” except that he also descended to the lower regions, namely, the earth?

And many, including myself, thought that Jesus descended into hell. Why, it's even in the Nicene Creed! The original Nicene Creed didn't have any phrase about descending, only the grave. It was added later.

There are three passages that would refute any thought of Jesus "going to hell" during the time of his body being in the tomb.

• Luke 23:43 - What did Jesus tell the thief who asked Jesus to remember him when he went to paradise? Jesus said, "Today, you will be with me in paradise" Now Jesus can do anything, within the realm of his nature, character, and his logic. Today & With Me are pretty concrete.
  
• John 19:30 - "It is Finished" What is finished? The purpose of his coming- to be the once and for all sacrifice for man's sin. No more sacrifices needed.
  
• Luke 23:46 - “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit” Just like Stephen cried in Acts 7:59, once the body dies, the spirit takes flight! Paul wrote "To be absent in the body is to be present with the Lord"

Fun stuff on the peripheral to look at but the most important part here is this: In Isaiah 53:1-11 details the why and what of Jesus mission and purpose.

The punishment that brought us peace was put upon him, and by his stripes (the wounds he was given by the scourging) we are healed.

Enjoy your weekend and tomorrow, the culmination of Passion Week brings the ultimate hope for us!

Passion Week - Friday

This is a quick turnaround because there was a lot of action taking place while we slept. Some commentaries have gone so far as to break out the times during the night Jesus was being tried by the Sanhedrin and others.

So, here we go!

We know the pain of the night for Jesus as he prayed and the disciples scattered. Peter denying Jesus and no defense attorney to be found. Jesus was on his own but more than capable.

Around Midnight last night, Jesus was seized and brought to Anna in Caiaphas' house around 1am. That attempt didn't work out for Anna and the crew, so the second attempt took place around 2 or 3 am.

The actual trial at the Sanhedrin began around 4 am and this time of year, per commentaries, dawn was breaking with sun rising around 5-5:30am.

The trial verdict was unanimous (surprise!) verdict of death. For what? Blasphemy. They didn't have much to go on so, being good legalists, they determined Jesus claimed to be God. They were correct on technicalities but found the claim to be so offensive that they decided death was the punishment.

Spoiler Alert - He is God.

Interestingly enough, the verdict couldn't be ratified or affirmed until daylight hours in order to be legal. So, the Sanhedrin got back together after sunrise to make it legal.

According to commentaries, Nisan 14 is the day appointed for slaying the lambs. Nisan 14 is the eve of passover which coincided with preparation for the weekly Sabbath. (John 19:14, 31, 42 and John 20:1)

The Jewish leaders brought Jesus to Pilate (round 1) and Pilate couldn't find any wrong with Jesus. His wife had a dream about Jesus and Pilate was torn between his position and what he instinctively knew was a sham. The leaders went back to Herod, who then sent it back to Pilate. Nobody wanted a piece of this except the religious folks.

In between the first and second trial with Pilate, Judas hung himself (Matthew 27:3-10) with great regret. He "returned", and by returned I mean "threw" the 30 pieces of silver and confessed he had betrayed innocent blood. Being the good legalists the Sanhedrin were, they knew they couldn't put that money back into the treasury, as it was "blood money". They bought a field to bury foreigners and this fulfilled a prophecy way back in Jeremiah!

The second trial before Pilate begins around 8am and he washes his hands of the matter ( a legal position in those days) and orders Jesus to be flogged. There were a total of six trials (!) before the last one with Pilate. The desperation of the religious leaders to get Jesus was indefatigable (waiting to use that word!) and their determination finally pays off, in their own wicked way.

The Passion of The Christ, directed by Mel Gibson, is pretty graphic but the tools for flogging were historically accurate. Did you know Mel Gibson wanted to be the one to put the nails in Jesus during the production of the movie? So the scene where Jesus is nailed to the cross is Gibson's hands.

According to Mark 15:25, the crucifixion took place "at the third hour" which corresponds to 9am. So, after being beaten, Jesus is now carrying his own cross to Golgotha (literally, "the place of the skull"). Talk about complete exhaustion.

Some people have said it wasn't that hard for Jesus because He was God. Jesus, in the body, experienced every pain, hunger, and sensation a human could feel. This was beyond exhausting, with no sleep.

On the cross for roughly three hours, darkness fell and stayed that way until Jesus cried out, "It is finished!" (John 19:30). So from Noon to 3pm, darkness covered the sky. See corresponding passages about the "Day of the Lord" here:  Joel 2:10; Amos 8:9; Zeph 1:15.

In the midst of the time on the cross, many of us are aware that there was a thief on each side of Jesus also being crucified. This throws some theological twists into the equation as the thief recognizes Jesus as God and asks to be forgiven and remembered when Jesus enters paradise. Jesus says, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise"(!). Wait! No baptism, catechism, church membership? Nope! Confessed his sin and written in the Lamb's Book of Life.

I'm not advocating not doing certain things that go along naturally with personal spiritual growth, but also want to emphasize salvation belongs to God and there is only one way to go: Through Jesus.

As soon as Jesus died, the veil (or curtain) in the Temple split and there was an earthquake. Matthew 27:51-52

The significance is enormous. The veil separated the Holy of Holies from the Temple entrance and the Holy Place or outer court. This was a public scene so it was most likely the outer curtain which was torn. The symbolism was clear: No longer was God to be sought through customs and religious acts but access was now for all through Jesus Christ.

The way to God is not secret or hid behind a man or men. The way to God has been cleared for all - no more heavy weights and cumbersome rules and regulations.

 "Come all of you who weary and heavy burdened and I will give you rest. For my yoke is easy and my burden light" - Jesus

In Luke 23:47-48 a curious reaction takes place. The centurion who had been present all day and watched everything unfold in in awe. He realizes what has just taken place and drops to his knees and exclaims, "Surely this man was the Son of God!"

Others went home "beating their breasts" which is a sign of lamentation.

More legalism from the Jewish leaders follow immediately, oblivious to the supernatural event, by requesting the following:

John 19:31 Then, because it was the day of preparation, so that the bodies should not stay on the crosses on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was an especially important one), the Jewish leaders asked Pilate to have the victims’ legs broken and the bodies taken down.

The breaking of the legs sped up the crucifixion as the victim could no longer push up to breath, thus suffocation takes place and the victim can be taken down. Essentially, everyone in a leadership position here was inconvenienced and wanted the crosses brought down.

Jesus, as we know, was already dead and didn't need his legs broken (which fulfilled another prophecy). See John 19:35 (or hover over this passage!)

Another interesting note: Matthew 27:55-56 gives account of who was still there past 3pm. One person of note is Mary Magdalene, who if you recall, was the prostitute who poured expensive perfume on Jesus' feet. The person with great sin has great joy when forgiven. The mercy of God!

Joseph of Arimathea took Jesus' body, wrapped Him in burial clothes and put him in the tomb he had purchased. Mark 15:46

Another grateful heart, Nicodemus, who had met with Jesus in the middle of the night during Jesus' ministry, brings around 75 pounds of burial fragrances (John 19:39) including myrrh, which was used in embalming. Certainly gives some perspective as to why the Magi brought myrrh to Jesus when he was born.

The very last act was by Mary Magdalene and the women who had followed Jesus all day. In Luke 23:56 we read "Then they returned and prepared aromatic spices and perfumes. On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment".

Happy Good Friday!

Passion Week - Thursday

Although Wednesday was a relatively silent day, today the action and drama is as intense and unpredictable as a day could be.

The preparation for the Last Supper has started, Peter and John have gone into the city to find the man Jesus described in Mark 14:13-14

He sent two of his disciples and told them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. Wherever he enters, tell the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher says, “Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?”’ He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.” So the disciples left, went into the city, and found things just as he had told them

In John 13:1-20, the intimate details of the last supper are written by John, who had a habit of focusing much more on the man of Jesus than the more factual driven gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke (who was a doctor, and was detail oriented).

During the Passover feast, Jesus wanted to express his love and demonstrate what true leadership embodied.

Jesus got up from the table, poured water into the washbasin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to dry them with the towel he had wrapped around himself.

Peter, of course, protested that Jesus shouldn't be washing feet, but Jesus quickly set Peter straight by saying if this wasn't done, Peter could have no part in the kingdom of God. Peter, ever the impetuous man, said in so many words, "Then give me the full bath!"

In Luke 22:24-30, just before the washing of the feet, a dispute breaks out among the disciples about who would be the greatest in the kingdom. Jesus could cut through any topic, debate, or disagreement. In no time, he simply says that the greatest among you must become the least, and backs that up with a revolutionary act - the washing of the disciples' feet. He, of course, asked a great question: Who is the greatest, the one at the table or the one who serves? The disciples were at the table. What were they thinking?

Jesus says "I am at the table, but I am the one who is serving" and it stopped any thoughts the disciples may have had of their impending greatness.

Following that passage, as they were at the table, Luke relates the next thing that was like a punch in the gut:

“But look, the hand of the one who betrays me is with me on the table.  For the Son of Man is to go just as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!” So they began to question one another as to which of them it could possibly be who would do this"

As if anyone would answer! But, it would have been something to have a body language expert observing...oh, wait, Jesus was there. Do you think the disciples had a pretty good idea of who it could be? More interesting may have been if there were other candidates the disciples thought could be the one. I don't imagine Judas felt all that comfortable.

Can you imagine? He just wanted to get out of there but he had not found the right time, even though Jesus gave him permission to go. Isn't that something? Lingering in the presence of Jesus in spite of his intentions. Been there, done that.

Jesus identifies the betrayer, but not like you might think. Digging into some commentaries, I found this:

The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me. The point of Jesus’ comment here is not to identify the specific individual per se, but to indicate that it is one who was close to him—somebody whom no one would suspect. His comment serves to heighten the treachery of Judas’ betrayal. 

Yet, even more perplexing, the next verse, Judas, of all people, asks Jesus directly, "Surely, not I?" As I thought about this a bit more, maybe Judas was responding to what Jesus said just before that: "It would have been better for him not have been born".

Jesus then instituted what we now know as the Lord's Supper or Communion. (Matthew 26:26-30 & 1 Cor 11:23-25) He broke the bread and poured the wine saying the bread is his body broken for us and the wine is his blood poured out for the forgiveness of our sins. Remember the principle of forgiveness: Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins (Hebrews 9:22)

In John 13:26-30, Judas makes his getaway. Jesus tells him it do it quickly and the other disciples heard but didn't understand the nature of that brief conversation. After Judas left, the disciples and Jesus sang a hymn and headed for the Mount of Olives.

Jesus lets them know plainly that he will be killed and many will turn away, but Peter famously says "Never! I will go to prison for you!". Jesus lets Peter know that before the night is through, he will have denied Jesus three times.

John 14-17 captures what none of the other gospels do, and it would do us well to linger in those three chapters this week. For now, we go to the Garden of Gethsemane. Fascinating study on the intense pressure Jesus was under at this point. After all, He was still human and there were emotions he went through (because we know he did, as he is able to sympathize with us when we go through various trials and burdens). He was "exceedingly sorrowful, even unto death".

He wanted to die at that moment because of the despair. Jesus can identify with the lowest of places and join us in our most joyful moments.

Jesus prays fervently but one of the simplest phrases which seems to be the most difficult to say comes from his mouth, "Never the less, not my will, but your will be done"

Amen.

The time has come for Judas and the many soldiers, who had anticipated a struggle, to make their way to where the disciples and Jesus were located.

We all know Judas kissed Jesus as a sign for the soldiers to know who to arrest. Strange, isn't? Jesus had been in the temple teaching, was well known, and was a polarizing figure. Why the kiss?

It was common in those days for the disciple to kiss the master. So, on top of Judas taking the money and handing Jesus over, he seals it with a kiss intended to one of reverence and respect. Is it possible Judas was already experiencing regret? Kissing the face of God!

Interesting "side" note found in John 18:5-6 - when Jesus asked who it was they were looking for, they responded "Jesus of Nazarene". Jesus responded "I am he". " See John 8:58 for the I AM, which is the Divine name of God (Exodus 3:14). It was so powerful the soldiers and others fell back.

What a scene that must have been. Spears, shields, swords - no match and they knew it. They were so stunned, Jesus asked them a second time, "Who are you looking for?"

That is the great question of our time and for each generation: "Who is it you seek?"

Peter, continuing on his passionate and impetuous ways, cuts off the ear of a soldier during the scuffle to get Jesus detained. Jesus quickly heals the soldier's ear, something that further confused those who had come expecting a battle. No battle, but healing.

Jesus is about to drink full from the cup of suffering for you and I.

He is taken to Annas, then to Caiaphas, who if you remember, said it would be better for one man to die, then for the whole city to go mad.

In the midst of the accusations thrown toward Jesus, Peter is asked on three separate occasions about Jesus. He denies knowing him and then hears the prophecy Jesus spoke come true. Cut to the heart, he abandons the scene.

Final though tonight before the trials start tomorrow: That rooster crowing is similar to the Holy Spirit bringing conviction. Yes, the prophecy was fulfilled, and it served to quicken Peter's heart just how far and how quickly he turned away from the One who had professed his allegiance to only a few hours before.

We are prone to wander, and we need the rooster to crow. That rooster could be your friend, your spouse, your sons or daughters. Heed the crow and quicken your heart back to a place of repentance so you can walk in peace.

Tomorrow - It's Friday, but Sunday's Coming!

Passion Week - Wednesday

We are moving into a supernatural event taking place tonight for the Israelites: Passover, literally "death passing over".  Let's go over a brief rundown of what Passover was (and is) and its significance. The first night of Passover (tonight) is referred to as leil shimurim (a night of guarding), based on Exodus 12:42.

A good place to dig into Passover can be found here. There are plenty of great resources, but the most meaningful part to me about Passover is the offering at the end of the "watching" time: A spotless lamb.

The Old Testament is filled with passages pointing to Jesus Christ, and we can see this was a type of Christ (Hebrews 7:26 & 1 Peter 1:19). It was this sacrifice which pointed to the great hope these annual sacrifices of animals would end ushering in a new covenant, free from the annual rituals, thanks to the perfect and final sacrifice of Jesus for sake of our sins.

The story of the Passover can be found in Exodus 12:1-30.

The first question in your mind may be Why did God need to resort to such a extreme measure? In our eyes, it does look inhumane and for a God who "loves" it seems rather out of character. I think we often misunderstand love, goodness, justice, and compassion, not to mention God's character and nature.

Love demands and compels change. Love doesn't look the other way when there is injustice. In this case, we forget how wicked Egypt, as a people, were. They had several gods they worshiped and if you remember the plagues God brought on the Egyptians and Pharaoh, each plague directly addressed each of their gods. Pharaoh had nine opportunities to let Israel go but refused each time. So, in some respects, God's compassion can manifest in ending situations where there is going to be no change.

The Plot to Kill Jesus

On to Wednesday, which is the Jewish calendar ends at sundown tonight, and Thursday begins (and as I write this, it's now officially Thursday in the Jewish calendar)

All four gospels have varying emphasis, which is to be expected, due to the fact there were four different writers. Each of the writers had common themes but chose to emphasize some different parts of the plot to kill Jesus; all they needed was a willing hand.

Matthew 26:1-5, Mark 14:1-2, Luke 22:1-2, and John 11:47-53. I will point out something unique in each passage detailing the plot.

Matthew

Jesus plainly told his disciples this:  “You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.” Then the chief priests and the elders of the people met together in the palace of the high priest, (nice gig, eh?) who was named Caiaphas. They planned to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him"

Mark

Two days before the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the chief priests and the experts in the law were trying to find a way to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him. But not during the feast so the people would not riot. (Ever the thoughtful leaders, always thinking of the people!)

Luke

The chief priests and the experts in the law were trying to find some way to execute Jesus, for they were afraid of the people. The fear of man is a snare, no matter who it is. The leaders knew they did not have the people, all they had was their jealous rage and their own manufactured righteous indignation. They justified it in the name of God.
We must maintain perspective we are acting as followers of God, not in place of God.

John

"So the chief priests and the Pharisees called the council together and said, “What are we doing? For this man is performing many miraculous signs. If we allow him to go on in this way, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away our sanctuary and our nation.”
This last line dovetails quite nicely with what Luke wrote - they were afraid of losing their place. Put this in our context, many times we hold onto things we cannot keep and lose what we could have if we let go. 

Judas and His Price 

It has been said, every man has a price, and all that needs to be established is the amount. Once again, all four gospels have an account of this, and I will break it down as I did for the Plot to kill Jesus. 

Matthew 26:14-16

Then one of the twelve, the one named Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15 and said, “What will you give me to betray him into your hands?”

Judas didn't even have an idea of the value of his work, which is ironic, considering he was in charge of the money. He was easily bought, frustrated over the three years of hoping Jesus would establish a powerful presence on the civil & governmental front. Judas was practical, but in this moment, he sold himself for about 120 days of work today 

Mark 14:10-11

When they heard this, they were delighted and promised to give him money. So Judas began looking for an opportunity to betray him.

I venture a guess here on their delight: Someone else to do what we want to do, and it's one of his own followers! To them, it probably lined up perfectly- they could get what they wanted, pay a small portion of money out of the treasury, and have their hands clean.

Luke 22:3-6

Luke is much more extensive in description of this event.

"Then Satan entered Judas, the one called Iscariot, who was one of the twelve." My thoughts here are about opportunity. The religious leaders looked for an opportunity. Judas, too, looked for an opportunity, and Satan looked for an opportunity. We can't be surprised by this, if we know human nature. The larger problem is not understanding the mission of Satan and his minions - 1 Peter 5:8 says what Satan delights to do. 

As a side note, the purpose of the roar of the Lion is to paralyze other animals in fear; I'd imagine it works quite well with us, and maybe those who have been on safari can attest.

John 13:2;13:27;6:70-71

The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, that he should betray Jesus. And after Judas took the piece of bread, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are about to do, do quickly.

Jesus is not surprised by our inclinations and our sin. He knew the purpose for which he came, and understood the tapestry being woven. But how much it must have hurt the human side of him! And Judas, in the fellowship of the King, submitted to the devil. 

Here is another good lesson - no matter how rich our fellowship is with Jesus, our hearts are prone to wander. It doesn't take much, does it?

The next event of the night is the preparation of the passover meal, or the Last Supper. We can see that John covered not only the betrayal, but also the Last Supper.

Matthew, Mark, and Luke all detail in great extent another astounding work of Christ. They begin to make preparations for the Passover meal and ask Jesus what they should do. Jesus tells them to go into the city, look for man and he will have instructions for the last supper, along with accomodations.

We will pick that up tomorrow. Busy day tomorrow!

Passion Week - Tuesday

We pick up Tuesday morning after a day which saw Jesus further deepen the divide between the religious people (Pharisees) and truth seekers. There's little doubt Jesus' righteous anger at the Temple sealed whatever questions the Pharisees about the threat Jesus represented to their power.

There is a great chart from bible.org, which shows the week in great detail and can be found here.

So, what happened today?

Jesus and the disciples came upon the fig tree that Jesus had cursed the day before. A key moment in is found in Mark 11:20-26 when Jesus declares,

Have faith in God. I tell you the truth, if someone says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. For this reason I tell you, whatever you pray and ask for, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven will also forgive you your sins.” ©NET

Yes, pray, believing and not waver in your faith...but, if you harbor stuff in your heart it appears God isn't in the deal making business. It's a pretty serious business of forgiveness, and God intends to make sure our hearts are in a good place in order for fellowship to be truly rich!

They entered Jerusalem and Jesus returns to the "scene of the crime" (at least to the Pharisees and other religious folks) as he walked through the temple area. Who is waiting for him? The whole gang! They immediately ask him by what authority he is doing what He is doing what He is doing, and who gave him the authority.

Implicit in that question is the religious leaders thought they had the authority, and since they obviously didn't give him the authority, who did? The danger of being religious, being caught up in rule following, is if others aren't doing what you're doing, they're doing it wrong. The religious make the final judgment theirs, forgetting God gets the final call.

Jesus turns the tables, and asks them a question. As you probably know, asking questions is the position of leverage because questions in these settings put the person giving the answers on the defensive. Jesus was so skillful in returning questions with questions, that in Matthew 22:46 it notes nobody wanted to ask him anymore questions!

Needless to say, the questions Jesus asked often penetrated right to the root of the issue. The religious leaders were in a corner, could not answer and in Mark 11:33 Jesus simply answers and begins teaching in the temple.

Jesus shares four parables before a debate with the Sadducees about the afterlife which Jesus succinctly tells them, "You don't know the scriptures or the power of God". Yikes!

The ultimate moment in the Temple came in Matthew 23:1-36 where Jesus brings the hammer down on the religious leaders by "Woe'ing" them into a rage. There's no place for showmanship in following Christ, and he means to make it clear the humble heart finds Him before the do-rights. As always, the humble heart seeks to please God while the do-gooders seek to please themselves. We've all been the do-gooder and we have to be careful that our motivations for "doing right" come from a place of wisdom and not a place of "look at me".

John 12 fills in some blanks, powerfully so, before makes his way out of the Temple and toward the Mount of Olives. Before leaving he looked around the Temple and said in Matthew 24:1-2 that the Temple would be destroyed but raised in three days!

Jesus is now at the Mount of Olives and begins to teach more as He lays out the signs of the end times (quite extensively), persecution of those who follow Him (with great cost), and His return as triumphant king.

Each generation since has wondered, hoped, debated the signs of the times and if their generation is the one. Jesus knew the questions, and made sure to answer with a curious story about a fig tree.

Remember the fig tree? He now uses it near the end of Tuesday to remind his followers about signs. Jesus was the Master storyteller because he was able to take every day things illustrating Kingdom truths. We all can see the signs of spring, summer, fall, and winter. There are markers along the way that foretell the changes. For some, it could be their knees while others can smell the seasons change.

All Jesus was telling his followers, and us, is be alert because no one knows the time. So be ready, and make the time count. Matthew 25:13-15 and Mark 13:33-37 underscore this principle.

Jesus wraps up Tuesday on the Mount of Olives (which is where he stayed each night after teaching in the Temple during this week) by emphasizing life will be pretty much normal when God returns. He uses the days of Noah as an illustration by noting when the flood came, people were eating, drinking, marrying, and living life. There was nothing apocalyptic about the Return of the King.

Yet, the juxtaposition is shown in the Parable of the Ten Virgins, (Matthew 25:1-13) as they didn't take note of the time, got lazy because the thought the master was taking his own sweet time. A few were wise and took stewardship seriously enough to be prepared, while others simply let their lamp go out. There's a good lesson here: Keep your lamp lit!

Finally, the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-40) wraps up by what you and I may see as an exhausting day.

For the one who has will be given more, and he will have more than enough. But the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.

Jesus finishes the day by exhorting his followers to give themselves away, use the gifts God has given, and in doing so, you live a full life! Whenever the focus of your life is on you, you're going to be miserable. When the focus of your life is on God and serving others, there is no shortage of blessings and abundance.

It doesn't mean life is pain-free, but it does mean life is more full and, ultimately, that's what Jesus came to give - life to the full! (John 10:10)

And maybe Tuesday was exhausing, because tomorrow is eerily silent for the disciples and Jesus.

Others, however, were not silent - Judas makes his final deal and the plot to kill Jesus unfolds.

Passion Week - Monday

As we come upon Easter Sunday, I wanted to do something I did a long time ago: take a day by day look through Passion Week.

Yesterday, Palm Sunday, was the triumphal entry by Jesus into Jerusalem. In some commentaries, it makes note of Jesus looking into the temple to gauge the level of work he had to do the next day. A scout trip, perhaps. I certainly find it plausible, and looking through the gospels at the events, I've also found a lot of confusion in the chronology. However, after checking out the temple, He spent the night in Bethany and we are going to pick it up on Monday morning.

There were some significant events occurring on Monday. By all accounts, it was a strategic and busy day. And it started with Jesus cursing the fig tree. Why?

The FaithLife Study Bible commentary gives us an indication:

• Cursing of the Fig Tree (Mt 21:18-19)

The fig tree is also symbollic of Israel itself – It often symbolized the health of the nation both spiritually and physically [1]. Hosea 9:10 says,“When I found Israel, it was like finding grapes in the desert; when I saw your ancestors, it was like seeing the early fruit on the fig tree.”Later, the Bible tells us of the glorious time when“Judah and Israel lived in safety, every man under his vine and his fig tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon.” (1 Kings 4:25)Later still, following the minor prophets we can see warnings to the nation of how God would bring destruction and failure of crops as part of his judgement against them, specifying empty fig trees that were stripped bare and fruitless. (Joel, Habakkuk and Haggai)It’s almost as if the fig was something of a barometer of the health of the nation – taken away as punishment, and flourishing in times of restoration. From Symbolism of Figs One With Israel

Jerusalem’s leaders failed to properly welcome Jesus as a visiting dignitary into their city during the Passover festivities (see v. 10 and note). Consequently, when He re-enters Jerusalem the following morning, He pronounces a curse on a barren fig tree as a symbolic act of judgment against the city and its leaders. Matthew 23:37–24:2 elaborates on this judgment.

•  Jesus Cleans Out the Temple  For ver. 45–47, see Matt. 21:12–16; Mark 11:15–19; John 2:14–16  Did he do this twice?

Mark, however, used more detailed, chronological language. On the first day, Jesus went into Jerusalem and the temple (Mark 11:1-11), then later that day He and His apostles departed for Bethany. “Now the next day, when they had come out of Bethany” (11:12, emp. added), Jesus again went into Jerusalem and into the temple. Unlike His trip to the temple the previous day, this time Jesus entered the temple “to drive out those who bought and sold in the temple” (Mark 11:15-18). Thus, Jesus actually made two trips to the temple: once on the day of His triumphal entry (Mark 11:11), then again “the next day” to cleanse the temple (Mark 11:12,15-18). In this instance, Mark’s account is more sequential, while Matthew’s is more of a summary.

The reaction of the crowd found in Mk 11:18-19 is telling. They're convicted and when a man is under conviction, their rage usually starts with God. (Proverbs 19:3).

From the Faithlife Study Bible:

The popular acclamation of Jesus as the “Son of David,” combined with His forcible occupation of the temple courts, gave these priests ample reason to destroy Him. This reaction parallels that of the Pharisees in Galilee. 

Jesus leaves Jerusalem and heads back to Bethany with the Twelve and some speculation he stayed with Lazarus, Mary, & Martha that night.

A long day, to be sure. A longer one is coming tomorrow...