It would be hard to imagine how many words have been put to paper about the seven days that Jesus walked to the cross. Most every one knows the crucifixion story but you would be surprised to know how little we really know. Bethphage, Bethany, Mount Of Olives, Jerusalem, Pharisees and the day not methioned in the Gospels and what about that donkey? Let’s take a walk. Jesus knew his time was soon and there was much yet to be said and done. The first thing I will note on this walk is about Lazarus. Consider this… as Jesus’s ministry grew and more and more people came to Him, the Pharisees grew to fear his influence. Their power and influence was in their mind being lessened each time he appeared and the crowds were growing larger. What we do know is that the Jewish leaders had in the past sought to discuss how this Jesus could be done away with. The following is my own opinion, there is no proof so to speak. I believe the arrest and crucifixion of Jesus was a political hit job. I also believe that the death and resurrection of Lazarus was as we have come to say “the straw that broke the camels back.” The Lazarus thing occurred in Bethany…The town is located on the southeastern slope of the Mount of Olives, less than 2 miles (3.2 km) from Jerusalem, and word of this thing with Lazarus spread   fast. There is no indication that Jesus did any traveling, between that event and is followed in Luke chapter 19 by Jesus entering into Jerusalem on that donkey. For the account of the donkey we go to Matthew 21:1-11. Bethphage is a village near Bethany and the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent his disciples to find a colt for his triumphal entry into Jerusalem. It is methioned in the  Synoptic Gospels in connection with Jesus’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem, where he rode a colt from this village. Interesting thing about Bethphage, in distance… it is at the very limit of a Sabbath-day’s journey (900 meters) from the city. Before we move on one note about that political thing I mentioned. The news about Lazarus had traveled fast and the account of such had raised the interest of many people. Alarmed, the Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin, the ruling body of Israel. Most likely, Lazarus was reciting his experience over and over again, which resulted in the desperate decision of the Pharisees: Lazarus must die. The other part of the Jewish ruling trifecta was the Sadducees… so these three and the Roman Government were about as close to a political hit job as you could get. Just saying. 

Keep Walking…Jesus arrived in Bethany six days before the Passover and stayed with Mary, Martha and Lazarus at their house. It was here that Mary Anointed his feet. You can read of this event in John 12:1-3. The next day is not mentioned in the Gospels but being the Sabbath, jewish tradition would have made it a day of rest.…We will go to Palm Sunday. Sunday, Jesus rides into Jerusalem on that donkey and on a carpet of palm leaves. This was to fulfill the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9 Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey… The people welcomed him with shouts of Hosanna and words from Psalm 118:25-26…Lord, save us! Lord, grant us success! 26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. From the house of the Lord we bless you. On Monday we find Jesus at the Temple and in the court of the Gentiles where there were traders and money changers. Jesus overturns their tables and drives them out. This event is recorded in all three of the Gospels, Matthew, Mark and Luke. The Third day the authority of Jesus was questioned by the chief priests and teachers of the law. It was a day of controversy. The forth day is one not mentioned in scripture. The fifth day Thursday is the Passover.I suggest you read the Bible, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John for a complete understanding of this part of the journey of Jesus to the cross. Jesus gave a new twist to the meaning of the Passover meal. The loaf of bread representing his body, the wine his blood soon to be shed…So here he instituted what we now celebrate as “The Lord’s Supper.” Friday, the longest night and day contains all those things that came against Jesus in those last hours. Betrayal, arrest, desertion, false trials, denial, condemnation, beatings, and mockery…and if that wasn’t enough Jesus was required to carry the cross bar of his cross to “The Place of The Skull.” There he was crucified with two other prisoners. Remember we are still in Friday and the Jewish Sabbath will start at 6:00 PM. Jesus was taken down from the cross shortly after 3PM…there was not time to properly prepare the body…so he was wrapped in a burial cloth sometimes referred to as a shroud  and place in a tomb. At this point we come to the final few words of this blog. The following is from an article by  Jack Zavada:(click here)

Joseph of Arimathea had been a secret follower of Christ because he feared the Jews, but after the crucifixion, he went to Pilate and boldly asked for Jesus’ body. Joseph risked his reputation among the religious leaders to give his Lord a proper burial. When Joseph laid Jesus’ body in his own new tomb, he showed both great love and great courage.

We can stop walking now…We have arrived at the tomb, early Sunday morning as a group of women have come to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away…the tomb was empty…an Angel told them Jesus was alive!

This for us, those of the way, the faith, we whom will soon be charged with going forth and telling the world The Good News. 

 

Life is Good

jk

Next Week Evidence of the Resurrection

 

Sources: www.christianquestions.net    Jack Zavada