Manic Monday
Luke continues his account of what we call Passion Week with the big Palm Sunday parade (Lk 19:28-40). Mark lets us know that what happens next went down after “on the following day” (Mk 11:12).
Welcome to Manic Monday.
Here’s a quick recap. Jesus rides into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey (Lk 19:35). The people went absolutely crazy in celebration as their Messiah had finally arrived (Lk 19:36-38). The grumpy Pharisees tried to get Jesus to calm everyone down (Lk 19:39).
Luke continues his account of what we call Passion Week with the big Palm Sunday parade (Lk 19:28-40). Mark lets us know that what happens next went down after “on the following day” (Mk 11:12).
Welcome to Manic Monday.
Here’s a quick recap. Jesus rides into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey (Lk 19:35). The people went absolutely crazy in celebration as their Messiah had finally arrived (Lk 19:36-38). The grumpy Pharisees tried to get Jesus to calm everyone down (Lk 19:39).
Christ tells them that it would be useless to do so, since creation can't help but praise God (Lk 19:40). He cries over the city as He approaches Jerusalem (Lk 19:41). The Lord then prophetically predicts its destruction at the hands of Rome in AD 70 (Lk 19:42-44).
The Golden Gate
Jesus enters through what is called the Golden Gate. No, not the bridge in San Francisco. It's a key entrance into First Century Jerusalem.
Like the previous passages that begin Passion Week, these verses are pregnant with OT prophecy. Jews have waited for centuries for Messiah to enter through this particular gate (Ezek 44:1-3). The last writing prophet of the OT let the people know that "the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to His temple" (Mal 3:1).
A Little Too Late
It's interesting to note that the Golden Gate is now sealed shut. When a conquering Muslim monarch heard that the Jewish Messiah would enter through that particular gate, he had it walled and closed in the 16th century.
The Golden Gate
Jesus enters through what is called the Golden Gate. No, not the bridge in San Francisco. It's a key entrance into First Century Jerusalem.
Like the previous passages that begin Passion Week, these verses are pregnant with OT prophecy. Jews have waited for centuries for Messiah to enter through this particular gate (Ezek 44:1-3). The last writing prophet of the OT let the people know that "the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to His temple" (Mal 3:1).
A Little Too Late
It's interesting to note that the Golden Gate is now sealed shut. When a conquering Muslim monarch heard that the Jewish Messiah would enter through that particular gate, he had it walled and closed in the 16th century.
Jews still believe their Messiah enter the temple mount through the Golden Gate. I have bad news for both the Jews and Muslims. You missed it. Jesus passed through the gate on this particular Palm Sunday.
There’s No Business Like God’s Business
Once on the temple grounds, Jesus was furious at what He saw. The area known as the Court of the Gentiles was turned into the local mall or flea market. Non-Jews would have been unable to worship.
There’s No Business Like God’s Business
Once on the temple grounds, Jesus was furious at what He saw. The area known as the Court of the Gentiles was turned into the local mall or flea market. Non-Jews would have been unable to worship.
Temple officials had apparently sold franchises to vendors so people could have the proper currency and sacrifices for temple worship. Of course, this all came at a HUGE markup. Kind of like buying anything at the airport.
Jesus was filled with righteous anger and began doing a little spring cleaning. This was the second time He had cleansed the temple. John describes the other time at the beginning of Jesus' ministry (Jn 2:13-22).
Jesus was filled with righteous anger and began doing a little spring cleaning. This was the second time He had cleansed the temple. John describes the other time at the beginning of Jesus' ministry (Jn 2:13-22).
A Den of Robbers
After busting the chops of the Pharisees on His way into town, this would have been a direct slap in the face of the Sadducees who were in charge of the temple. Throughout His ministry, Christ played these two rival sects against each other. This event would drive them together as allies with a common enemy.
In the middle of this crazy scene in the temple courts, Jesus quotes a couple of different passages from the OT. First, "My house shall be a house of prayer" (Is 56:7). Next, "But you have made it a den of robbers" (Jer 7:11). Just another example that there’s no business like God’s business.
A Milquetoast Messiah?
For those who like to paint Jesus as some mild-mannered milquetoast Messiah, the cleansing of the temple is a big problem. Jesus is mad. Jesus is furious. And righteously so. Not only does the Bible regularly refer to God's anger over sin, but Paul goes on to say that it is okay to be angry as long as we don't sin (Eph 4:26).
Are you like Jesus? Does sin make you angry? If not, why not? Then it might be time for Jesus to do a little spring cleaning in your life?
The Kiddie Pool of Religion
In verse 47, Luke tells us that Jesus began teaching everyday in the temple. During His three year ministry, there is no other time when Jesus acted more messianic. He dominated the temple during His Passion Week.
In the middle of this crazy scene in the temple courts, Jesus quotes a couple of different passages from the OT. First, "My house shall be a house of prayer" (Is 56:7). Next, "But you have made it a den of robbers" (Jer 7:11). Just another example that there’s no business like God’s business.
A Milquetoast Messiah?
For those who like to paint Jesus as some mild-mannered milquetoast Messiah, the cleansing of the temple is a big problem. Jesus is mad. Jesus is furious. And righteously so. Not only does the Bible regularly refer to God's anger over sin, but Paul goes on to say that it is okay to be angry as long as we don't sin (Eph 4:26).
Are you like Jesus? Does sin make you angry? If not, why not? Then it might be time for Jesus to do a little spring cleaning in your life?
The Kiddie Pool of Religion
In verse 47, Luke tells us that Jesus began teaching everyday in the temple. During His three year ministry, there is no other time when Jesus acted more messianic. He dominated the temple during His Passion Week.
Everyday He would set up shop in the courts and teach. He was forcing the issue. The people would have to choose between Jesus and the religious elite.
Jesus forces each of us to make a choice. He’s not calling us to play around in the kiddie pool of religion. He wants us to enjoy the deep end of trust and faith. What’s it going to be? Am I going to be all in?
A Conspiracy Grows
When He cleansed the temple the first time (Jn 2), the religious officials confronted Christ immediately. Not this time. After this second instance, "the chief priests and the scribes and the principle men of the people were seeking to destroy Him" (v47).
The conspiracy grew and solidified. Jesus must be stopped. It was coming to a boil at Passover.
But there was just one problem. "They did not find anything they could do" (v48). You see, Jesus is not only God, but He is sinless. He wasn't breaking any rules or any laws.
Hanging on His Words
The people flocked to the temple courts to hear from this amazing Rabbi/Carpenter from Nazareth. The city was packed with pilgrims for Passover. Many had seen His raucous ride into Jerusalem and how the wild scene at the temple.
But there was just one problem. "They did not find anything they could do" (v48). You see, Jesus is not only God, but He is sinless. He wasn't breaking any rules or any laws.
Hanging on His Words
The people flocked to the temple courts to hear from this amazing Rabbi/Carpenter from Nazareth. The city was packed with pilgrims for Passover. Many had seen His raucous ride into Jerusalem and how the wild scene at the temple.
Now He taught. And, oh baby, what a Teacher! No one teaches like Jesus. Not before. Not since. And "all the people were hanging on His words."
But all of this would change in five short days. The people who hung on His words on Monday would hang Him on a cross on Friday.
©2017
Jay Jennings
Jay: I love they way you write. I'm not criticizing at all but for your own edification, look into what day we think Jesus was crucified.
ReplyDeleteWe are told in John 19:14, 42; and in Matthew 26:52 that it was Preparation Day. You are aware that it is almost Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. On Preparation Day the Jews went about diligently removing the last trace amounts of yeast from their homes. They took this as very important and did not leave one millimeter of yeast. There was a Special Sabbath affixed to The Festival of Unleavened Bread and the regular Saturday Sabbath, thius two Sabbath's during Jesus's Passion week. It is most likely that Jesus was crucified on Wednesday or Thursday of HIS Passion week thus allowing what Jesus prophesied about HIM spending 3 days and 3 nights in the tomb, to occur.
We really don't know exactly what day of the week HE gave up HIS spirit because we are not told. But looking at all the evidence it seems more likely to me that HE was crucified on Wednesday or Thursday instead of the usually thought of Friday. I know it messes up Good Friday if you are Catholic but still the evidence supports those days instead of Friday.
Jay, examine it yourself and see what you determine. I'd be happy to discuss it with you sometime. I'll bet you find out it's not on Friday that our Savior gave up HIS spirit for us. Whatever you determine after examining all the evidence it will be transforming for you which is the whole point. Thanks again. Kelly