The Final Warning
Last night I was sworn in to the Fort Collins City Council. It will be the shortest meeting in the next four years. Today, I spent time making some connections and doing a radio interview related to the National Day of Prayer coming in May.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “When Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said to his disciples, “You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.” Matthew 26:1,2 ESV
After the “Triumphal Entry” into Jerusalem Jesus spends a considerable amount of time speaking prophetic messages and about His coming Kingdom and the end of the age. He begins with foretelling of the destruction of the Temple. He shares parables and gives warnings about the “coming of the Son of Man.” He ends with the “Parable of the 10 Virgins.” “The Parable of the Talents” and “The Final Judgment.” (Matthew 25)
In His teaching Jesus not only tells of coming days, but how His followers are to live. They are live watchful, they are to be “about the Master’s business” they are to serve the least and the overlooked as if they were serving Jesus.
All of these teachings are “these sayings,” Matthew is referring to before Jesus, one last time, tells His disciples that he “will be delivered up to be crucified.” I am sure that it was difficult for the disciples to comprehend all that Jesus was telling them. It just seemed too hard to comprehend. Jesus had used parables and images of speech in His teaching, so perhaps they didn’t take Him literally.
Perhaps their minds were processing Jesus’ words like they did when the news of Lazarus’ illness and death was reported. Scripture records that just before, Lazarus was raised from the dead, Jesus told His disciples that “Lazarus was a sleep.” That news didn’t sink in until Jesus said directly, “Lazarus is dead.”
What is of interest is that Jesus knew exactly the fate the was before Him. Since He knew, how much of that weighed on his mind and heart even for this entire week? Did his tone change in these final times of instruction? Jesus even knew what those who plotted His death did not.
As Jesus gave the disciples the final warning, the religious leaders were beginning their plot to destroy Jesus.
“Then the chief priests and the elders of the people gathered in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, and plotted together in order to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him. But they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar among the people.” (Matthew 26:3-5 ESV)
We don’t know of any specific plans brewing in the minds of the chief priests and elders. At this point they were still concerned about Jesus’ popularity with the crowds and the potential for “an uproar” from the people. They were looking for a “big break.” That would take place in an unexpected moment when one of Jesus’ own disciples came to them and offered to help turn Jesus over to them. I am sure that opportunity was beyond their expectations. For the price of a slave they would have the opportunity to silence the man who had been their biggest “thorn in the flesh” for the last three years.
Prayer to today…. Lord we are reminded that none of what took place caught You by surprise. But it was still agonizing and difficult as walked through these events in human flesh. Help us to understand and appreciate all that you have experienced so that when we experience anxiety and times of uncertainty, that we will look to You for strength and comfort and peace.