Tomorrow is Sunday and the day we commemorate the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. In just seven days Jesus would be killed and resurrected. Because of the enthusiasm of the crowd, the plans to arrest Jesus secretly failed. Therefore, Palm Sunday was both the showdown and the beginning of the end, and the beginning of the beginning. What happened that day and each day after in this last week to the life and ministry of Christ?
On Sunday he made a triumphal entry into Jerusalem, but what was the purpose of him doing it this way? By riding on the colt, it was his way to declare that he was the Messiah without speaking a word. Keep in mind that Jesus was always in charge of what happened. In the case of Palm Sunday, he used that day to prod his enemies into action as part of fulfilling Scripture. ( Zechariah 9:9) Let us proceed through the week.
SUNDAY – early in the day Jesus sent two disciples to get the colt. He foretold the circumstances when they went to fetch the animal by telling the disciples to relay the needs that Jesus had. Peasants followed the disciples shouting for an earthly deliverer without spiritual conviction. In all the enthusiasm of the crowd, it dampened Jesus prophetic lament over Jerusalem. This was a prime opportunity for the leaders of the Jewish people to affect an evangelism of God’s truth, but they missed it. Not only did Jesus declare himself to be the Messiah, but he also presented himself as the Paschal Lamb to be slaughtered.
MONDAY – Jesus was hungry on that morning and expected to have figs ripened on a tree but there were none there. He cursed the fig tree and later used it as an illustration to the disciples. Like the backslidden church today, the fig tree was situated in the ideal position by the road to feed many people. It made a profession without a possession. When Jesus went into Jerusalem the second day of the week, he cleansed the temple complaining of their empty ceremonies and rites as well as misusing the temple that should have been a house of God for prayer.
TUESDAY – when Jesus and the disciples walked by the fig tree on Tuesday, they noticed it had been cursed and was dying. This was a lesson that Jesus taught about not proclaiming when there was no possession to offer. Later Jesus taught in the temple and used parables. His enemies repeated challenges to his authority. In contrast, Christ reinforced to the disciples the certainty of his coming crucifixion. Earlier Jesus healed a man named Simon who was a leper. He and other friends shared a meal with Jesus and the disciples during which time Mary anointed the feet of Jesus with precious ointment. This was probably the breaking point for Judas because he was obsessed with money as the treasurer of the group.
WEDNESDAY – Jesus chose to use this day as a time to rest for the coming events that would be unfolding in a matter of hours. The disciples asked him where they should observe the Passover. Our Lord instructed them to follow a man who is caring a pitcher of water. This was unique because caring water was the responsibility of women. This man showed the disciples where they could have a large room to observe the Passover and the consequential events. Jesus implemented what we call the Lord’s supper with Judas present.
THURSDAY – this was the day of the Passover. It commemorated the deliverance of the Hebrews from slavery in Egypt. Their meal was of Lamb, unleavened bread, and bitter herbs. When this first occurred, blood was applied around the door as a means of salvation from the death angel. Those who did not believe had their firstborn die. During the meal Jesus changed the significance of the Passover to what we today call the Lord’s supper. Judas left the group early so that he might contact the priests, accept bribe money to betray Christ, and sealed his fate. On the way to the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus had a long prayer that he offered his Heavenly Father as recorded in John 17. Thursday evening Jesus was confronted by Judas who betrayed him with a kiss into the hands of the enemies for him to ultimately be crucified. Jesus was fully aware of what the next several days would unfold toward him. It is very important, even though I’ve said this before, to remind ourselves that Jesus was never caught off guard nor was he surprised by all the things that happened. He was crucified for our sin. He rose to claim victory over death. He did all of these things for you and me
Christian Writer 