Jesus, the Nazarene, had been welcomed to Jerusalem with shouts of joy and jubilation! Multitudes lined the street, laying down their coats and palm branches, calling out, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” Reports of the miracles He had performed preceded Him, and the Jewish people were ready to receive their Messiah! Passions ran high! Years of living under the oppression of the Roman Empire had heightened their desire for their own Ruler to come into power!
Soon, there were shouts of a different kind! “Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. ‘It is written,” He said to them, ‘My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of robbers!’ ” (Matt. 21: 12-13 NIV) His disciples remembered what was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me!” (John 2:17, ref. to Psalms 69:9 NIV)
Read about the accounts of the Holy Week in Matthew 21 – 27. For quick access in various translations, see www.biblestudytools.com . During these few days, Jesus confronts the Jewish leaders, teaches the people, shares His last meal with His disciples, one of them betrays Him and another denies Him, and then the final, excruciating journey to the cross! Spend some time reading these accounts, experience for yourself the intensity, the drama, and the powerful message!
Not just another typical week in Jerusalem! Emotions were running high, the anger of the religious leaders were at a fever pitch! This truly was a week of passion, a week that changed the world! How will it change yours?
