Until Sunday
Last Sunday He came riding into the city. He had a huge crowd with Him because everyone had heard that He had raised His friend Lazarus from the dead. People were shouting all kinds of slogans. "Hosanna to the Son of David", "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord" The closer He got to the city the greater the uproar. After all Zachariah said this is how the King would come, humble, riding on a donkey. But there was no coronation, just a comotion, no coup, just a party with people singing, waving palm branches, and having a good time. But He wasn't having a good time. He was moved to tears when He saw the city and talked about how they always killed the prophets sent to them and that the city would be destroyed.
When things died down, He went into the temple to look at the mess. Then he went back "home" to Bethany where He stayed when He was near Jerusalem.
On Monday He came back into town. This time, quietly, at least until He walked into the temple and began for the second time to run off the crooked money changers and animal inventory. "My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations," He quoted, "but you have made it a den of robbers".
They were looking for Him on Tuesday. They were already angry and bitter about His unwashed following, the parables He taught which cast them as the villans, and His offensive habit of healing on the Sabbath. So each sect of leaders decided on some sticky questions to challenge Him as He taught in the temple. One by one, He knocked their pitches out of the park, silencing them with His own question about David's reference to the Messiah's deity in the Psalms. A lawyer saw that He answered well, so he ventured one more question.... "Which is the greatest commandment" Jesus answered, "Love the Lord, your God with all your heart and your neighbor as your self" The lawyer was struck by his answer and replied, "This is better than all the burnt offferings and sacrifices" Jesus told him, "You are not far from the kingdom"
On Wednesday, while He was in Bethany, a young woman anointed Him for His burial. That was the Lord's interpretation of her act. He said that what she did would be told wherever the Gospel was preached. Here I am telling it again. Judas said the perfume could be sold and the money given to the poor. Jesus rebuked him, "Leave her alone, she has done a beautiful thing". That's when Judas went out to "make the deal."
Today is preparation for the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. This morning the lamb will be prepared. The disciples with eat it together with the Lord and He will give them a new supper to eat. He will say goodbye, for now. Tonight the Lamb will be betrayed with a kiss in the garden where He loves to pray. His disciples will scatter. Some will watch his trial and torture at a distance.
Tomorrow they will be drawn to witness His awful crucifixion, hear His words on the cross, and see Him breath his last. Joseph will ask for His body and place it in His own tomb before the sunset of Sabbath begins. What else can they do? It will be the worst day of their lives.
Until Sunday