Jesus came into the world to usher in the New Dispensation of Grace. No longer would man be bound to the legal system of the OT. In fact, Jesus would prove that He was the fulfilment of everything portrayed in the OT and that He would ultimately take human sin to the grave. He would defeat death on the cross.
THE LAST WEEK OF HIS INCARNATION:
1. A Growing Storm
Jn 11:55,57 When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, many went up from the country to Jerusalem for their ceremonial cleansing before the Passover.
They kept looking for Jesus, and as they stood in the temple area they asked one another, "What do you think? Isn't he coming to the Feast at all?"
But the chief priests and Pharisees had given orders that if anyone found out where Jesus was, he should report it so that they might arrest him.
A. The Passover
Springtime. About 2 million tourist-like pilgrims. Tents and camping sites all over the Mount of Olives. Homes and hotels were all fully booked.
Pontius Pilate, cruel and reckless Roman authority of Judea (AD 26-36) came up with a reinforced military guard from Caesarea in case of trouble.
Herod Antipas, ruler of Galilee (4BC - AD 39), was there with his courtiers and mercenaries.
From the noisy Temple area there arose constant smoke of sacrifices, the noise of bartering of hawkers of animals for sacrifice.
Jesus’ greatest miracle had just been performed and the fame of Lazarus was spreading like wildfire, in fact
Jn 12: 9:
9 Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead.
10 So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well,
11 for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and putting their faith in him.
The stage was being set for the greatest event in human history.
2. The Triumphal Entry
Jn 12:
12 The next day the great crowd that had come for the Feast heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem.
13 They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, "Hosanna!" {13 A Hebrew expression meaning "Save!" which became an exclamation of praise} "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" {13 Psalm 118:25, 26} "Blessed is the King of Israel!"
By this action of Jesus, He proclaimed in the very heart of Israel that He was the Messiah.
The enthusiasm of the crowd soon faded when their false expectations were not realised. Jesus had no intention to erect a throne in Jerusalem.
3. The Cleansing Of The Temple
After leaving the temple He headed again for Bethany where He spent the night (Matt 21;11).
Monday morning
He travelled the 2 miles back to the city from Bethany, the home of Mary, and Martha and their brother, Lazarus.
On the way, He cursed the fig tree which had no fruit (symbolic of fruitless Israel).
Upon His return to the Temple, He set about driving out the sellers and their animals and overturned the tables of the fraudulent money-changers. While doing so, He quoted portions of Isa 56:7 and Jer 7;11.
My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations (Matt 11:17)
Tuesday morning.
The disciples remarked about the fig tree which had withered to the roots. On His arrival in Jerusalem, our Lord began immediately to teach the people. For the rest of the day, He discussed four leading questions.
a. Whose authority?
(Luk 20:1-8) by what authority are you doing these things?
Jesus responded by telling them the parable of the wicked tenants and they knew that He was directing the accusation at them and that He was that only son and heir.
b. The question about taxes
A clever trap coming from the Herodians and the Pharisees.
c. The question about Resurrection
(Luk 20:27-40)
d. The question about the greatest commandment
Jesus exposed their hypocrisy, corruption, their inattention to the Word and the will of God.
On His way out of Jerusalem (Matt 24:4-36) Jesus appealed to His disciples to be prepared and watch and pray for His return.
4. The Last Supper
Jesus reminded His disciples that His death, symbolised in the broken bread and the poured-out wine was the divinely appointed means for establishing a new covenant between God and man.
5. Gethsemane
Here was the place where Jesus faced the greatest soul-tormenting experience that any human being could ever face. He persevered through the valley of extreme agony and finally submitted to the will of God.
6. The Saviour On Trial
Friday. (Luke 22:41-65)
The next 12 hours moved with incredible speed.
Judas. His idea of salvation was based on political freedom. His unrealised expectation resulted in disappointment and eventually his suicidal death.
Peter. .His rash personality reflected his weakness (lack of self-control)
The religious trial. (Luke 22:54-71)
Many irregularities in the procedure of the trial proved the prejudice of the entire trial. It was totally illegal according to the system.
The civil trial. (Luke 23:2-25)
Pilate could find no fault in Jesus who also freely admitted that He was the King of the Jews. Pilate passed the responsibility on to Herod. Jesus never answered any of the questions put to Him by Herod.
Jesus then had to suffer more torture and humiliation before being sent back to Pilate.
The crowds, motivated by the Pharisees, called out aloud, “Crucify Him . . . .”
Pilate was very confused, trying to find a way out of his dilemma. He was convinced of the innocence of Jesus. But he was overwhelmed by the persistence of the Pharisaically inspired mob. He even tried their ritual of washing of the hands to prove his own innocence in the murder of an innocent person. He ordered the soldiers to scourge Jesus once more and surrendered Jesus into the hands of the chief priests and scribes and the uncontrollable crowd.
Conclusion
The rest of that historical event is well known.
The questions about the purpose and the consequences of the event are answered in what the Gospels tell us.
Did it really happen the way the Bible tells us?
Why did Jesus allow Himself to be treated in this way?
Why did He not avoid that terrible cross? He could have called 10,000 angels
What purpose was there in Jesus being put to death? Or allowing the world to witness such a barbaric and viciously cruel way of punishing such a good Man.
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