March 30, 2021 (Tuesday)
Tuesday of that final week was a very busy day for Jesus. When they reached the fig tree that Jesus had cursed the previous day, the tree was dead. Jesus took advantage of the shock felt by the disciples to teach them the power of prayer, urging them to believe that they, too, could see great things happen if they truly believed.
When they arrived in Jerusalem, they went to the Temple, where Jesus was approached by the chief priests and elders. Their first question to Him was, “By what authority do you do these things?” Jesus asked them whether John the Baptist’s work was by God’s authority or simply human? The opponents of Jesus reasoned that if they said,”of God” then Jesus would ask them why they did not believe him? If they said, “of men” they knew the crowd would turn on them, so they answered, “We don’t know.” Jesus then said, “Then I won’t tell you by what authority I do these things.”
Disciples of the Pharisees and Herodians then asked him a question about whether taxes should be paid to Rome, and Jesus confounded them with his simple answer. The Sadducees were the next to approach him with a puzzle about the resurrection, in which they did not believe, and Jesus puzzled them with his response. Each group thought up the most devious question possible, to make Jesus look foolish, but Jesus’ answers put them to shame, and they looked ridiculous to the people in the crowd. Oh, they were angry! They had already been plotting to kill Jesus before that week, but now it was firmly settled in their minds that Jesus must die.
Then followed a scathing denunciation of the hypocrisy of the religious leaders, face to face, in the hearing of the common people gathered in the Temple. It was all the leaders could do, to keep from stoning Jesus on the spot. But they feared the people, and did not arrest or harm Jesus, but in their hearts were planning to do so at the first opportunity.
Jesus then spoke compassionately to all, “Oh Jerusalem, Jerusalem. how often I have wanted to put my arms around you like a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you would not have it.” He knew their destruction was coming and it broke His heart.
From the Temple, Jesus went out to the Mount of Olives, where he taught about things to come, like the destruction of the Temple, end time events, and His coming in power and glory to judge us. There he shared many parables that have become very familiar to us. Then they departed again for Bethany.
James E. Orr
1936
Search me, O God, and know my heart today,
Try me, O Savior, know my thoughts, I pray;
See if there be some wicked way in me;
Cleanse me from every sin, and set me free.
I praise Thee, Lord, for cleansing me from sin;
Fulfill Thy word and make me pure within;
Fill me with fire, where once I burned with shame;
Grant my desire to magnify Thy name.
Lord, take my life, and make it wholly Thine;
Fill my poor heart with Thy great love divine;
Take all my will, my passion, self and pride;
I now surrender, Lord, in me abide.
O Holy Ghost, revival comes from Thee;
Send a revival, start the work in me;
Thy Word declares Thou wilt supply our need;
For blessings now, O Lord, I humbly plead.