Ever had more to do than your day allowed? No time for lunch, additional appointments, phone calls, unplanned conversations, or outside activities. The clock moves extra quickly and the countless tasks move especially slowly. There is a battle between time and task. Inevitably, when your day is done, there is always more to do tomorrow, and thus, the race for completion continues. Interestingly enough, as Jesus fell asleep in Bethany Monday evening of Passion week, He did so with the understanding that there was more to do on Tuesday. How would you sleep knowing that you had only a few days left to live on earth? Jesus woke up with a focus on the task at hand. Tuesday turned out to be a day of mixed events.

Jesus made his trek from Bethany to Jerusalem once again. This was about a two-mile walk through the Mount of Olives. This time, He used the day as an opportunity to instruct, encourage, challenge, and defend.

Remember the fig tree from yesterday? It’s amazing how Jesus found it and used it again as a moment to teach his disciples. The disciples passed by and saw that the leaves withered. Jesus turned to His disciples and said,

20 When the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither at once?” 21 And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. 22 And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” (Matthew 21:20-22)

This was a lesson in faith…….enough said. The clock continues to follow the sun, and Jesus continues his journey to Jerusalem to meet with those who are already planning His destruction.

Jesus returned to the sight of yesterday’s fight. If you recall, yesterday (Monday) Jesus went through and, in a way, cleansed the temple. He said that the temple had become a haven or refuge for those who were dishonest. This caused much confusion and also some disgust with the chief priests and elders. I can imagine their Monday evening was much different than Jesus’. I can just see the chief priests and elders meeting at the place where they usually met to discuss critical issues. Maybe it was at a home or maybe in the local park. I mean, they just couldn’t let Jesus come into town and make accusations, cause an unnecessary stir in the temple, and drive the money changers away. Jesus was going to ruin Passover for everyone. Something had to be done. Someone had to stop Him. Somehow, Jesus must be stopped. So, they developed a plan and decided to confront Jesus on Tuesday.

As you read in Matthew 21:23-27, they challenged Jesus’ authority. This was not an innocent question. This was well devised and completely planned. A trap. They wanted Jesus to claim divinity so that they could accuse Him of blasphemy. Let’s take a look together at the scene.

23 And when he (Jesus) entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” 24 Jesus answered them, “I also will ask you one question, and if you tell me the answer, then I also will tell you by what authority I do these things. 25 The baptism of John, from where did it come? From heaven or from man?”.

As you can clearly see, Jesus turned the tables and asked them a question that would trap them into an ”I don’t know” response. This is an interesting discourse because the chief priests and elders already knew the answer, but tried to trap Jesus. Not this time…….

And they discussed it among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ 26 But if we say, ‘From man,’ we are afraid of the crowd, for they all hold that John was a prophet.” 27 So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

This was followed with a series of questions, parables, teaching, and some of Jesus’ most important thoughts about Himself and what was to come. But, while all this teaching was taking place, decisions were being made that set in motion events leading up to the crucifixion.

Judas. A name that continues to haunt people. A name people never name their own children. A name that strikes feelings of confusion and anger. While Jesus was spending His time teaching in the temple, Judas was spending his time contemplating the betrayal. I’ve always wondered why some people do certain things. Judas is one of those people. What must have been going through his mind? I just can’t wrap my mind around it. On Tuesday, Judas met with the Sanhedrin, bargained with them, and decided to sell Jesus out for money. Think about it. The stakes were high and Jesus must be stopped. Why not allow one of His own to betray Him. It was perfect. The plan is now in place. Nothing could stop them. Jesus was on borrowed time. Judas……..well……..he was making significant choices in his life that would eventually lead to his own destruction.

I wonder sometimes what we exchange for Jesus? Are we sometimes more interested in fame, fortune, the thrill, the car, the date, the house? I wonder. As I sit here today, that is one of my own questions. Does my love for self trump my love for Jesus? Does your love for self trump your love for Jesus? Hmm. I wonder what was going through Judas’ mind. Perhaps Judas was just interested in the money. Perhaps Judas was interested in the fame of turning Jesus into the council. Perhaps Judas was upset with Jesus and wanted to get even. Either way, Judas was gravely mistaken and was a catalyst of events to quickly come.

Now for the two-mile walk back to Bethany. A much deserved night’s rest…. probably not for Judas.

What a day…