Holy Tuesday aka Temple Tuesday
Temple: a place regarded as the dwelling place of God; house of God, house of worship, shrine, sanctuary, church, cathedral.
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. According to Matthew, Mark and Luke, Jesus had returned to Jerusalem to go to the Temple. As I mentioned in my post, yesterday, Jesus knew this was His last week leading up to His death, so I suspect He was determined to leave an unforgettable “last impression”. He 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: the parable of the vineyard (Matt. 21:33-46); the parable of the wedding banquet, (Matt. 22:1); the teaching on paying taxes (Matt 22:15) and the rebuke of the Sadducees who denied the resurrection (Matt. 22:23). 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 (Matt. 24). Jesus always “packed a punch” in delivering a message with authority and truth.
Sunday night my Frisco family and I went to see “Paul, an Apostle of Christ”. I don’t like movies that leave you hanging, or have a disappointing ending. I LOVE the happy ending ones! Though the tragic state of Rome and the plight of Christians is portrayed in shocking reality, Paul dictates a letter to Luke to pass on to the followers of Christ that gives them hope. You and I were included in those writings. I felt it as I watched this compelling movie that in the worst of conditions and circumstances, our foremost responsibility is to LOVE. That’s what Jesus did for us.
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 and then on to Good Friday, when He was tortured, suffered and died. As despicable as it was….we can still REJOICE. It is really 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! And 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, actually, it is THE BEGINNING! God wins and those who love and believe in Him will live with Him forevermore! Oh Happy Day!