We now come to the Passion Week and the events leading up to the death and resurrection of Jesus. We will read the events in the order they unfolded - day by day. Today, we will discuss Nisan 9 & 10. Nisan is the Jewish month in which Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread take place. Exodus 12 lays the foundation for these events. But let's not get ahead of ourselves.
John 12:1-8: Jesus is once again in the home of Lazarus in Bethany. Bethany is about 2 miles East of Jerusalem. It is a good place to stay when one wants a quiet place to stay within walking distance of that great city. John tells us it is six days before the Passover. We know that the Passover lamb is slaughtered on the 14th day of Nisan, the meal is eaten on the 15th day of Nisan. The Jewish calendar day runs sundown to sundown, while our calendar day runs 12am-12am. Both are 24 hours long. However, keep in mind that each new day in these events actually begins when the sun goes down. Getting back to the story, it is six days before Passover or Nisan 9th. One more quick thing - Passover is a pilgrim feast, meaning every Jewish male was required to travel to Jerusalem for the feast. Now, back to the reading: Jesus is at Lazaras' home. Mary and Martha, Lazarus' sisters are there. Mary anoints Jesus' feet with expensive perfume. (Matthew 26:7 & Mark 14:3 also mention this event. They state Mary also anointed His head.) This was a very personal act of humility and devotion. Jesus was being honored. Judas Iscariot was not so impressed. He was the treasurer of the group and apparently stealing money. He talked the talk, but never walked the true walk of a disciple. It seems like Judas was out for numero uno. Jesus rebuked Judas' whining. As always, Jesus knows what's going on. Take that to heart! He knew what was going on then, and He knows what is going on now.
- Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-10, Luke 19:28-40: these three gospels give a few more details. They let us know that Jesus sent two disciples to get a donkey. Matthew tells us that the whole city was aware of these events. Mark tells us that Jesus went to the Temple and had a look around, but it was late, so He returned to Bethany for the evening. Luke lets us know that the Pharisees asked Jesus to stop the people from praising Him. Once again, witnesses will have different accounts of the same events. People remember what was important to them. We all see things in different ways, but you will notice the key points of the story are the same. It's the little details that differ.
John 12:9-11 - The chief priests are being to plot how they will do away with not only Jesus, but also those that are proof of Jesus' power. Once again, it's not that they don't believe He has power, they simply are concerned that in light of this power, their own power is dwindling. Yikes. Don't get caught up in what you have of this world. It is all going to be dust or a distant memory someday. Nothing on this world lasts. Oh, but eternal life. Now that lasts forever. That's where your focus should be.
Luke 12:12-19 - We arrive at Nisan 10. Exodus tells us this is the day that Jewish families are to select a perfect lamb and bring it into their homes. That lamb lives with them for the next four days, until it becomes the Passover Lamb. So, on this day, when the people take the lamb into their homes, they take Jesus into their hearts. If you read the Old Testament, you will notice that the focus is in corporate worship - the people as a nation. As you read the New Testament, you will note that focus on corporate worship shifts to a focus on personal worship. A family takes a lamb into their home (corporate), an individual takes Jesus into his/her heart (personal). Gives you goosebumps, doesn't it? Jesus riding a donkey rather than a horse fulfills the prophecy in Genesis 49:10-11 and Zechariah 9:9. Why a donkey? Well, a king riding into another's kingdom (Jesus coming into Rome-controlled Jerusalem) on a horse symbolizes war, but a king riding into another's kingdom on a donkey symbolizes peace. The people cut down palm branches, symbolizing their acceptance of Him as their king. However, they were still under the impression that Jesus was a political leader, not a spiritual one. These actions further spur on the Pharisees' determination to get rid of Jesus.
Luke 12:20-26 - Gentiles (Greeks) ask to see Jesus. His response? He must first die before He can reach out to the Gentiles. At that point, anyone who serves Him will be accepted.
Luke 12:27-36 - Jesus continues speaking, acknowledging that He is "stirred up, unsettled." He knows what is coming. God speaks to Him and all hear, yet they still misunderstand. Jesus once again predicts His death and the coming salvation that this death and resurrection will make available, not only to the Jews, but also to the Gentiles. He urges the people to believe.
We will be celebrating Palm Sunday in our churches tomorrow morning. I have 120 palm fronds in my car as we speak, just waiting to be handed out. I love sitting in church watching those fronds wave through the air in worship of Jesus. This coming week, take some extra time to truly remember His sacrifice. Finds ways to worship Him. Then, make it a habit!
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