TUESDAY
Jesus Closes His Public Ministry
On Tuesday, Jesus went to the temple in Jerusalem to teach the final public sermons of His mortal ministry. Jewish leaders of various sects came to ask Him questions in an effort to "entangle Him in His talk." (Matthew 22:15)
For example, the Pharisees sent their disciples with the Herodians to ask, "Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?" Jesus, understanding their intent, responded, "Why tempt ye me? Shew me a penny. Whose image and subscription hath it?"
"They answered and said, Caesar's. And He said unto them, render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's." (Luke 20:23-25)
When Jesus left the temple for the last time, He and His discples went to the Mount of Olives. There Christ continued to teach, focusing primarily on His second coming. He finished His sermon by foretelling His own betrayal and crucifixion. The Savior's prophecy was befitting, for that very day the Jewish leaders conspired with Judas Iscariot to capture the Lord in a secretive manner so as not to cause an uproar among the people.
The Mount of Olives is a mountain ridge to the east of Jerusalem. It is named from the olive trees with which its sides are clothed. At the foot of the mountain is the Garden of Gethsemane.
MONDAY
Jesus Cleansing the Temple (this was yesterday's post)
When Jesus made his final entry into Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover, He entered the temple and found men selling oxen, sheep, and doves. He also found moneychangers irreverently doing business there. He was very upset to find this happening in the temple and drove out the men and animals. He poured out the moneychangers coins and overturned their tables. He also stopped them from carrying their baskets and other containers through the temple. He said, "My house shall be called the house of prayer, but they have made it a den of thieves" (Matthew 21:13).
After Jesus had cleansed His holy house, He healed the blind and the lame who came to Him there. Children, seeing what Jesus had done, cried, "Hosanna to the Son of David" (Matthew 21:15).
PALM SUNDAY
Christ's Entry into Jerusalem (this post was for Sunday)
As the end of Christ's three year ministry approached, He began that final journey to Jerusalem where He knew His crucifixion would take place. One evening as He neared Jerusalem, Jesus sent two of His apostles out to obtain a colt for Him that He might ride into the city. The two apostles did just as they were requested, and in obtaining the colt, two things occurred just as Jesus had said they would. First, they found the animal and second, the owners asked them why they untied it. They answered just as Jesus told them to; that the Lord had need of it. They were then allowed to lead the animal away to where the master waited.
The next morning, the apostles placed their robes upon the colt forming a kind of saddle. Upon this they they helped Jesus mount and then the procession started along the road. As they approached the top of the Mount of Olives, Jesus paused and looked sadly upon the great city that lay before Him. The scriptures indicate that He wept as He looked upon the city for He realized that it would soon have to suffer because of it's wickedness. He foresaw the day when enemies would overthrow the people. They would break down the walls and utterly destroy the beautiful temple. When Jesus reached the gates of the city, He was met by a great multitude of His disciples. Large crowds of people gathered to honor Him and to spread clothing and palm branches on the ground in front of Him. The followers rejoiced and cried out, "Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord" (Mark 11:9).
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