Tuesday of Passion Week

Jesus Debates the Jewish religious leaders and teaches his disciples.

Why is it important for us to know the events that happened leading up to the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ? How does this have anything to do with me? Christian or non-Christian, these events tell much about Jesus. These historical events are recorded in the writings of Paul, the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, by Josephus the first-century Roman-Jewish historian and military leader, and by the Roman senator and historian Tacitus.

On Tuesday of Passion week, Jesus spent much time in the temple teaching and debating with the Jewish religious leaders. Then on his way back to Bethany, he gives an extended lesson to his disciples about the temples coming destruction and the end of the age. 

Jesus' authority was challenged by the chief priests and elders of the people. And when he entered the temple, the chief priests and 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?" (Matthew 21: 23 ESV) They questioned the things that Jesus did like his public ministry, his miracles, and cleansing of the temple and by whose authority he was doing it in. Jesus answered them and said, "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. The priests and the elders of the people were forced to acknowledge that he had some source of indisputable authority. His miracles were too numerous to be fraudulent and even Jesus' teaching was with such clarity and force that there was authority in his words.  "The baptism of John, from where did it come? From heaven or from man?" And they discussed it among themselves, saying, "If we say, "From heaven", he will say to us, "Why then did you not believe him?" But if we say, "From man," we are afraid of the crowd, for they all hold that John was a prophet." 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."  (Matthew 21:24-27 ESV) After this, Jesus taught many things.

On their way back to Bethany Jesus taught his disciples about the coming destruction of the temple. "Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. but he answered them, "You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down." (Matthew 24:1-2 ESV) The temple buildings were made of gleaming white marble and the whole eastern wall of the large main structure was covered with gold plates that reflected the morning sun, and would be visible for miles. Jesus' very words were fulfilled in A.D. 70. Titus, the Roman general, built large wooden scaffolds around the walls of the temple buildings, piled them with wood and other flammable items, and set them ablaze. The heat form the fires were so intense the stones crumbled. The rubble was then sifted to retrieve the melted gold, and the remaining ruins were "thrown down" into the Kidron Valley. (John MacArthur Commentary)

Jesus also taught about the signs of the End of the Age to his disciples. As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?" And Jesus answered them, "See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, "I am the Christ," and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed for this must take place, but the end is not yet. (Matthew 24: 3-6 ESV) This topic that Jesus taught about has been debated by many. Some even have gone so far as to say they know when the end will be. To read more about what Jesus spoke and taught to his disciples, open up GOD's Word, the Holy Bible and read the rest of Matthew's account in chapter 24. 

What do you say about Jesus? How does this apply to you? The answer lies within you? And can only be answered by you. Is He Lord and Savior of your life?