Yesterday began what Christians around the world celebrate as Holy Week... Jesus’ final week on planet Earth BEFORE His resurrection from the grave. As we prepare our hearts for this upcoming Easter weekend, I thought it would be great to explore each of the days leading up to Easter... what happened in Christ’s life, what it meant, and how it all led to his crucifixion and ultimate victory over death and the cross. The Bible doesn’t specifically list these events chronologically, but scholars have pieced together what they believe to be an accurate timeline. Let’s take a brief look at yesterday (Sunday) and into Monday.
PALM SUNDAY
Jesus sends two disciples to secure a donkey and a colt for His entry into Jerusalem
“As Jesus and the disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to the town of Bethphage on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of them on ahead. 2 “Go into the village over there,” he said. “As soon as you enter it, you will see a donkey tied there, with its colt beside it. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone asks what you are doing, just say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will immediately let you take them.”
This took place to fulfill the prophecy that said,
This took place to fulfill the prophecy that said,
“Tell the people of Jerusalem, ‘Look, your King is coming to you.He is humble, riding on a donkey— riding on a donkey’s colt.’”
The two disciples did as Jesus commanded. They brought the donkey and the colt to him and threw their garments over the colt, and he sat on it.
Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting,
“Praise God for the Son of David! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Praise God in highest heaven!”
The entire city of Jerusalem was in an uproar as he entered. “Who is this?” they asked.
And the crowds replied, “It’s Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
The two disciples did as Jesus commanded. They brought the donkey and the colt to him and threw their garments over the colt, and he sat on it.
Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting,
“Praise God for the Son of David! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Praise God in highest heaven!”
The entire city of Jerusalem was in an uproar as he entered. “Who is this?” they asked.
And the crowds replied, “It’s Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
Matthew 21:1-11
Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem as a hero! People cheered, shouted praise, and placed palm branches down in the streets as a sign of worship and respect. As we move on throughout the week... don’t forget the reception Christ received during His entrance. The feeling of goodwill and reverence would soon give way to violent outrage and disgust. Why did the people turn on Christ? Did they really feel inside like they were acting on the outside? Let’s keep looking ahead.
MONDAY
Christian scholars have surmised through archaeology, context, and significant study of the ancient texts, that Jesus did two things on the final Monday of His pre-resurrention life.
#1: “In the morning, as he was returning to the city, he became hungry And seeing a fig tree by the wayside, he went to it and found nothing on it but only leaves. And he said to it, “May no fruit ever come from you again!” And the fig tree withered at once.” - Matthew 21:18-19
#2: And they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold and those who bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. And he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. And he was teaching them and saying to them,“Is it not written, My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers.” - Mark 11:15-17
At first glance, these verses may seem disconnected. Jesus starts His morning cursing a tree and continues it by tossing some tables over. However, both acts were intentionally done by Christ to show the decay that had come over the nation of Israel. He knew the true hearts of the people... those same people that just 12 hours prior were singing His praises.
In the first case, the fig tree was often symbolically used to represent the nation of Israel. Jesus comes to it... sees leaves but no figs... and curses it for it’s lack of fruit. Here was a tree with potential for wonderful produce... but instead sat unprepared, unready, and disconnected from it’s purpose. The tree sat barren... just like the hearts of those Israelites that claimed to love Jesus. Their purpose was to bear fruit as believers...but, instead, they had turned to religion and legalism. Jesus wants us to fulfill our purpose, bear fruit, and reach the potential for which we were created.
The second passage demonstrates again how the Israelites’ hearts had become hardened to their real purpose. Here they were selling items inside the very place that they were supposed to be praising Christ. Jesus knew that He had to set things straight and reminded those causing the trouble that the church was a place for prayer and worship only. This wasn’t sinful anger... but righteous discipline.
These two Monday events foreshadow what Christ would face on Friday of this week... The smiles that He walked past on Sunday were barely hiding the contempt and lack of respect the people of Jerusalem had for the Son of God. Unfortunately, It would get worse... and then infinitely better!
There are just a few days left until we kick off our Easter services! See you there!
