During these weeks of preparation before Easter, let’s focus on the events leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion, burial and resurrection. Why not dedicate some time this month to read from the four Gospels, recounting the special events, miracles and teachings of our Lord as He headed to Jerusalem for the last time. We will sense the passion of our Lord for the mission He was fulfilling as we walk with Him and His disciples, learning from His teachings.
Matthew begins to reveal Jesus’ forthcoming death in 16:21. “I must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law. I must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.” This is when Peter rebuked Him: “Never, Lord! This shall never happen to you!” (V 23) Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Out of my sight, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” Then He proceeds to teach the disciples who can be worthy of being His disciples (V 24).
From this point, one can see and feel the momentum building up to the time He enters Jerusalem. It begins now with the transfiguration with his three disciples (Peter, James, John) up on the mountain top. They saw “His face shining as the sun, and His clothes became s white as the light” and they were amazed. When Moses and Elijah appeared and talked to Jesus, the disciples knew ‘this is where we want to stay. May we put up three shelters?” They wanted to stay a while (17:1-6). Note this, Jesus did not allow them (nor will He allow us) to stay forever on the mountaintops of life. Real living is in the valleys where our dependency on Him is more readily recognized.
With each event, with each teaching, Jesus is moving closer to Jerusalem and his ultimate fate. Again, (17:22-23) the passion that He faces is explained. (V 23b: “And the disciples were filled with grief.” In Chapters 18-20, He spends much time teaching His disciples important things, knowing his time with them was growing short. In 18: 1-9, He teaches an important lesson on humility, answering the question of “who is going to be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Perhaps we need to camp here awhile to prepare our hearts, our thinking and our attitudes as we move toward Holy Week. Perhaps we need a dose of His medicine for humility.
In 18:15-20, He teaches about forgiveness, then ends the session with a key promise about honoring our gathering in His name to pray: “I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. Where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them!” In Chapter 19, Jesus continues to give insights relating to marriage, divorce and blessing the children. Then He presents the account of the rich young man (ruler) who inquired about earning eternal life. When He told the young man to sell all that he had, give it to the poor (by doing this he would be laying up treasures in heaven)… “then come, follow me”…..he went away saddened, for the cost was too great for him – just like it is for many who hear this challenge today. (They go away from Jesus for they love possession more than we love the Lord). Some have no passion for His suffering, His teaching, His rewards!
The interludes in Chapter 20 lead us to the Triumphal Entry (Palm Sunday) into Jerusalem. He shares a parable about the workers in the vineyard, relating what the kingdom of heaven is like. Then in v 17-19, He shares with the twelve disciples and recounts what will happen when they arrive in Jerusalem. 20:20-28 reveals the selfish requests of the mother of James and John! “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.” He teaches about being worthy to drink of the cup from which He is going to drink.” Then He reminds them that this decision is one that will be made by “my Father” – God Almighty.
Jesus continues to teach them. This lesson is on servanthood….”just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many…” (even so, we must come with the same attitude). He ends this week by healing two blind men…”immediately they received their sight and followed him.” (20:34). I challenge you to read Mark, Luke and John’s accounts leading up to the Triumphal Entry. Allow your spirit to be seized by the presence of the Holy Spirit as we draw nearer to the Holy Week.
Good News April 9, 2025
Bill Crider, Chaplain
Minden Medical Center