Passion Week Meditations — Day 3: Tuesday
As the sun rises on yet another day, Jesus and His disciples leave Bethany again to return to Jerusalem. On the way, they pass the fig tree and the disciples marvel at how quickly it has dried up. Seizing the opportunity, Jesus teaches them about the power of faith and prayer (Mark 11:19–26). He explains that one key to an effective prayer life involves forgiving others. He knows they need this lesson for today. Today they will encounter confrontation, controversy, and conspiracy.
Returning to the temple, Jesus again engages people in conversation and proclaims the good news of His sacrificial death for the forgiveness of sins (Mark 11:27–33).
The first confrontation comes when scribes, priests, and elders question Jesus’ authority to teach in the temple. Jesus exposes their unbelief and their opposition to righteousness. Jesus uses three parables to make His point: (1) the parable of two sons in a vineyard (Matthew 21:28–32), (2) the parable of the wicked vinedressers (Matthew 21:33–46), and (3) the parable of invited wedding guests (Matthew 22:1–14).
By these parables, Jesus reminds his opponents (1) it’s not too late for them to believe, (2) Israel’s rejection of Him follows God’s plan to judge them, and (3) those whom the powerful and influential despise will receive grace and mercy. Yes, even tax collectors and prostitutes who believe in Jesus will enter His Kingdom more readily than the Jewish leaders.
The Pharisees respond by plotting to entrap Jesus so they might find an accusation that will stick (Matthew 22:15–22). First, some Pharisees and Herodians question Him about paying taxes, but He says, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” Silence — they have no counter. Then the Sadducees raise a question about the resurrection (Matthew 22:23–33). Jesus points them to Scripture and exposes their lack of faith in God’s power. A lawyer then challenges Jesus to identify the greatest command of the law of Moses (Matthew 22:34–40). Jesus combines two passages (Leviticus 19:18; Deuteronomy 6:4–5) to summarize all the Law and the Prophets!
While His disciples look on with great interest, Jesus turns the table on His interrogators: “What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?” (Matthew 22:41–46). “The Son of David,” they answer. Jesus then cites Psalm 110:1 to prove even David understood that Messiah is David’s Lord. Having brought their unbelief into the open, Jesus launches into His condemnation of these hypocrites (Matthew 23:1–39).
In the background, a widow drops her tiny coin into the temple offering box — it barely makes a sound. Jesus tells His disciples her offering surpasses all the lavish offerings of the rich and influential Jewish leaders (Mark 12:41–44).
Leaving the temple, Jesus takes His disciples back toward Bethany. Reaching the Mount of Olives, He sits down across from the temple. He speaks of Jerusalem’s destruction and events leading to His return to set up His Kingdom (Matthew 24–25).
In Jerusalem, the Jewish leaders plot His death (Mark 14:1–2). At dinner that evening in Bethany, a woman anoints Jesus and He speaks again of His death (Mark 14:3–9). Judas, however, returns to Jerusalem to conspire with the chief priests to betray Jesus (Mark 14:10–11). The clock is ticking. The Passover Lamb awaits His death as His exhausted disciples fall asleep at the end of a very full day.
— Dr. Bill Barrick
