Slideshow image

Whenever Easter week arrives, I like to try to imagine what Jesus went through each day. It reminds me again of His incredible determination to follow through on His Father’s plan. Following Jesus through these is not only a historical study. It is intensely personal because He persevered and endured it so that we might have life.

The Gospel writers did not place as high a priority on chronology like we do. But we do have some boundary markers. We know about Palm Sunday. We know the Romans crucified Jesus on Friday and the resurrection happened on Sunday. So with these markers in mind, let’s travel with Jesus through this week.

Monday followed the triumphal entry on Palm Sunday. It seems Jesus spent most of His day at the temple debating with the religious leaders and authorities. Matthew 21:17-18 reveal that Jesus left the city and lodged in Bethany for the night. Then he returned in the morning. He returns to the temple and immediately one of the religious leaders challenges his authority. So the rest of Matthew 21, all of 22 and 23 contain the questions and response of Jesus to these challenges.

The crowds witness and hear all of this. He exposes the corruption and hard hearts of the religious leadership. He lays the foundation for them to transition away from worshiping God at to becoming temples of God. (1 Corinthians 6:19).

Then Jesus and the disciples depart. It seems that though Jesus’ disciples have heard all this teaching, the temple complex still impresses them. Matthew 24:1-2 – “Jesus left the temple and was going away when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. But he answered them, “You see all these, do you not? I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” Then they sit down and he teaches them about the signs of Jerusalem’s coming destruction (including the temple) and the signs of the end of time.

Now here’s what’s remarkable to me about all of this besides Jesus’ brilliant answers and profound teaching: He’s going to be executed in 4 days and He knows it. If it was Monday and I knew I would be executed on Friday, I might use my time to try to escape. After all Jesus still had freedom to come and go from the city. Or I would try to get last messages off to family and friends. But Jesus seems completely focused on others. Whatever His personal sorrow or concern over the coming events, He continues to minister.

If Jesus could keep that focused on His people’s needs just prior to His execution, we can be assured of His laser like focus on our needs during this time.

“Lord Jesus, I don’t know how you got through that week and continued with your ministry. But I thank you for your love and perseverance. Forgive me for ever thinking that you’re forgetful or have too much on your mind to hear my prayers.”