Hanging Out at the Temple
Tuesday of Holy Week could be called “Temple Tuesday,” because in Matthew 21 we read how Jesus spent most of the day in the Temple — teaching and using parables to make His points. Jesus didn’t write blogs back then – but He certainly left a lasting impression in His teachings.
According to Matthew, Mark and Luke, Jesus had returned to Jerusalem to go to the Temple. Jesus knew this was His last week leading up to His death, so I suspect He was determined to leave an unforgettable “last impression”.
Jesus was constantly confronted by religious leaders who challenged His authority to teach the people and lambasted Him with unreasonable theological questions. He answered them so successfully that “no one was able to answer Him a word, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask Him any more questions”. Matthew 22:46
Jesus was the master of story-telling using illustrations (parables) to make His point. He used parables on this day. His story-telling was about the parable of the vineyard; the parable of the wedding banquet; the teaching on paying taxes and the rebuke of the Sadducees who denied the resurrection.
Watching “The Chosen” movie series, I loved the visual of Matthew always writing down what Jesus said and did. Thanks, Matthew, for your colorful documentary! You would have been an amazing blogger!
Then Jesus and His disciples left the Temple and went to the Mount of Olives where He delivered the prophecy about the destruction of Jerusalem if the inhabitants would not come to faith in Him. He warned that not one stone will be left on another (Matthew 24).
Jesus always “packed a punch” in delivering a message with authority and truth. We have documentation from His disciples who paved the way for us. Then comes along, Paul, who He called himself “Paul, an apostle of Christ”! Thanks, Paul, for passing on such great hope. All the disciples accepted His mission to “carry on”, good and faithful servants. Most of which was about LOVE – the greatest of Jesus’ messages. He was LOVE personified!
As we continue to journey toward the ending of Jesus’ life on this earth…on Thursday, we’ll remember the Passover, Last Supper, and Jesus washing his disciples’ feet. Then, on to Good Friday, when He was tortured, suffered, and died. As despicable as it was, we can still REJOICE. It is good news! We know the end of the “movie”. Our Champion, Jesus Christ wins on Easter Sunday aka Resurrection Sunday……so, we win!
Right now, life may be tough for you. You might have health issues or experienced the recent loss of a loved one. There may be strife in your marriage. You might not have enough money to make ends meet. But DON”T lose hope! Just when you think the “movie” could get no worse, our Champion will be there because HE LIVES!
In the end, we win in a big way. There will be no more tears. No more mourning, or pain or even death, but life eternal. Everlasting. The Lion of the Tribe of Judah destroys the enemy once and for all. Just hang on. The end of the “movie” — the last chapter recorded for all to read is such a “and they lived happily ever after” ending. No, it is THE BEGINNING! God wins and those who love and believe in Him will live with Him forevermore! Oh Happy Day!