The Last Week-Part Two
What would you say to loved ones during your last days of life? Probably your most valued thoughts and concerns; that’s certainly true for Jesus.
Staying with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus in Bethany He traveled daily into Jerusalem ministering to the physical and spiritual needs of the people; that was important to Him. As He stopped and wept over the city of the Great King (Ps. 48), He grieved since He knew the future rejection and many missing the joy of His first coming.
One day we find Him cursing a fig tree because He saw only leaves: no fruit. What’s the significance? Mark tells us (11:20-26) that Peter remembered that prophetic act, reminded Jesus, and He gave more insight into His most valued thoughts and concerns: Faith and Forgiveness.
Faith is an often-used word that indicates a divine persuasion to trust God with certainty and confidence. It’s not working up faith or trying to manufacture belief; it’s a God-revealed gift to receive and therefore believe.
… according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. Rom. 12:3b
The lower story is the fig tree, undoubtedly representing a believer without much believing: no fruit. The upper story is Jesus’ concern that doubt or wavering faith will keep us from believing that anything is possible with Him. Don’t miss the crucial forgiveness aspect (vs. 25): anything against anyone. That was important to Him.
John records Jesus during these last days (ch. 12:20-36) speaking of His glory but it wasn’t the kingly glory of royalty but His glorified death.
“The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified … What shall I say, ‘Father, save Me from this hour?’ But for this purpose I have come to this hour.”
The people listening were privileged to hear the voice of His Father react to Jesus’ anointed words.
“I have glorified it and I will glorify it again.”
Jesus, encouraged by His Father, continued teaching the people through parables. Two sons were given instructions from their father (Matt. 21:28); one rejected his order but changed his mind and the other said he’d obey but didn’t. Interestingly, a change of mind is exactly what Jesus is looking for; its called repentance. Religious leaders talked the talk but didn’t walk the walk and they knew it! John the Baptizer preached repentance and belief as the way to righteousness and the leaders became outraged!
Authority or absolute, delegated power was an issue the religious leaders recognized in Jesus’ teaching since all the people were hanging on His words (Luke 19:48). There’s only two choices for the source: heaven or earth. Their authority is earthly but Jesus’ is heavenly since He’s God.
Let’s see … Messiah would be the Son of David, King of Israel, perform miracles and healings, fulfill prophecy, and He had the audacity to call the Temple, ‘My House’. Yes, He’s God with heavenly authority; His followers would need to remember that in the coming days.
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