Andrew

In order to get a fuller picture of the last week of Jesus’ life, you have to read all four Gospels, where each writer emphasizes different events and details. One of Luke’s special points was the opposition of the Pharisees and other Jewish leaders to the ministry of Jesus.

In Luke’s account, Jesus knew the physical manifestation of the Jewish leaders’ emphasis, the Temple, would soon come to an end. The Temple, built by Herod, was a magnificent building, but Jesus knew that it would be demolished in about forty more years.

Jesus also knew the spiritual manifestation of the Jewish leaders’ emphasis, ritual and rule-following, would soon come to an end. Without the Temple, many of their religious rites would automatically disappear. While their emphasis on man-made rules might not disappear, it would be shown to be useless.

The story of the widow’s mites (small coins) is well-known. As you think of the story, consider that Jesus’ mother was a widow. Jesus would have known the sacrifice the woman made. He must have already been thinking about his mother and what would happen to her after his death. Imagine the other details of life that Jesus must have considered as he faced his impending death. Like all of us, he surely felt he had more to do than time in which to do it.

As you read the different Gospel accounts of the last week of Jesus’ life, you have to be struck with his desperate efforts to teach his enemies as well as his friends. Jesus so badly wants to help everyone that he uses his precious time to convince everyone of his truth. However, with time running out, he talks with his followers about the future times and gives them his parting teachings and encouragements. He never sugarcoats their impending trials, but he does let them know that he won’t be victorious in the future…he is already victorious!