by Angela Moreno

What would you do if you knew you only had a couple of days left of your life?

Jesus knew His life was ending soon.  He knew He would be the ultimate sacrifice for the world. Jesus also knew that He only had a little bit of time to reach more people who needed Him.

His day began by cursing a Fig tree that failed to produce figs; the tree immediately died. A game of cat-and-mouse will ensue between Jesus and the Pharisees.  The Pharisees will directly challenge Jesus’s authority and Jesus will rebuke them.

It all begins with the Pharisees asking who gave Jesus the authority He has. Matthew 21:23: “Did John’s authority to baptize come from heaven, or was it merely human?” They talked it over among themselves. “If we say it was from heaven, he will ask us why we didn’t believe John. But if we say it was merely human, we’ll be mobbed because the people believe John was a prophet.” So they finally replied, “We don’t know.” And Jesus responded, “Then I won’t tell you by what authority I do these things.”

The Pharisees would ask many questions of Jesus in hopes of trapping Him and giving them or the leadership of Rome a reason to put Him to death. Now tell us what you think about this: Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” But Jesus knew their evil motives. “You hypocrites!” he said. “Why are you trying to trap me? Here, show me the coin used for the tax.” When they handed him a Roman coin,he asked, “Whose picture and title are stamped on it?”“Caesar’s,” they replied. “Well, then,” he said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.” (Matthew 22:17).

Instead of answering any of their questions, Jesus would ask the Pharisees to answer His question instead.  Jesus knew what the Pharisees were trying to do and He knew he had to play the same game they were playing so He wouldn’t fall into their trap.  Jesus called the Pharisees and Sadducees hypocrites six times and blind five times in scripture.  This only served to fuel the fire that was already raging inside of them.

Jesus didn’t only face the Pharisees this day.  He tried to win more people to the Kingdom of God before He left this earth.  The Parable of the Two Sons (Matthew 21:28), the Parable of the Evil Farmers (Matthew 21:33), and the Parable of the Great Feast (Matthew 22:1) were also taught this day. He wanted people to understand that God had given them a gift and not to miss out on the gift of God.

Jesus also discussed His return to this earth after the upcoming tribulation and judgments the earth would face. He teaches on His resurrection and teaches us the most important commandments: Jesus replied, “ ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.  A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Matthew 22:37). 

And Jesus grieved for the People of Jerusalem. “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me. And now, look, your house is abandoned and desolate.” (Matthew 23:37).

Passover is just two days away. Jesus tells His disciples that He will be handed over and crucified.  As Jesus tells His disciples of His fate, a secret meeting is going on at the same time.  A meeting held at the High Priest Caiaphus’ home to discuss how to trap Jesus and kill him.

In two days, Jesus will complete His assignment.

Our redemption is near!