Walking and So Many Things
Welcome to the walk. Every ordered step today has purpose.
The message must be spoken. It needs to be clear. There isn’t much time left.
Jesus and His disciples, once again, set their feet toward Jerusalem.
One foot in front of another, they walk and discuss yesterday’s events. There had to have been a lingering comment or two about Jesus’ righteous rage in the temple complex. Maybe even a thought-provoking comment on Jesus’ compassion and passion for Jerusalem as His tears fell.
Then they come to that place in the road. That fig tree is till there. Or should I say, that withered never-going-to-produce-fruit again tree. Faith. Their minds and thoughts are rooted in Faith.
They walk on.
Every step Jesus takes today is pregnant with purpose. Every encounter He has on this day is meant to divide – truth from falsehood, eternal from temporary and redemption from religion.
There is a mood in Jerusalem today. There is chatter of celebration preparations. There are people everywhere acknowledging Jesus. “Hey, Rabbi, where are you teaching today? The left side steps of the Temple? Great! I will be there!” There is a mummer of adoration for Jesus… for He is captivating.
Then, there are the Sadducees and the Pharisees,
“Every day He was teaching in the temple complex. The chief priests, the scribes and the leaders of the people were looking for a way to destroy him, but they could not find a way to do it, because all the people were captivated by what they heard.” Luke 19:47
None of this is lost on Jesus. Every step He takes today has purpose.
It began with separating truth from falsehood.
Luke 20 v. 9-26 is a parable about a vineyard owner who allowed tenant farmers to farm his vineyards. The owner was away a long time but sent a servant to the farmers to gather some of the fruit. The farmers mistreated not one, not two but three servants who attempted to collect what was due to the owner. So finally, the owner sent his BELOVED son. This time the tenant farmers murdered him so that they would receive his inheritance. What a sad story about bad people feeling entitled to the portion that is not theirs. Oh, wait, the scribes and chief priests, they got it. It was all about them and they were angry. Truth will always speak against falsehood. Jesus would make sure of it.
Next was dividing the eternal from temporary.
The air around Jesus was getting thick with drama and intrigue. Those who sought to destroy Jesus sent spies into the crowd looking for evidence to turn Him into the governor.
“Teacher, we know that You speak and teach correctly, and You don’t show partiality, but teach truthfully the way of God. Is it lawful, for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” Luke 20:21
I want to make note here that our calendar always places Easter in the middle of tax season. Just pointing that out.
Jesus was not swayed by flattery. His response, “Show me a denarius. Whose image and inscription does it have?” “Ceaesar’s”, they replied. “Well, then,” He told them,”give back to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s.” Luke 20:23-25
Silence. And so Jesus walks on. Question after question He speaks Truth and Light and Eternal into them. Those who seek to destroy Him are silenced at every answer that comes from His mouth. “Teacher, You have spoken well. And they no longer dared to ask Him anything.” Luke 20:39
Jesus must have been exhausted. He had been giving of himself all day. Seeking to pour the eternal into earthen vessels. Every parable was critical to their survival. Every word He spoke was a shield of protection against deception. Every teachable moment needed to be turned toward the eternal so that they, or do I dare say we, would finally get it.
His feet could not turn towards Bethany yet. No rest. Not yet. Redemption was coming and His followers needed to be ready.
This was it, redemption needed to be separated from religion.
The six or so parables that are recorded in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John all speak to seeing redemption through God and not religious duty, tradition or obligation. Jesus was the authority and it had nothing to do with religion and everything to do with redemption. Jesus was serious and the disciples were watching it unfold right before their eyes.
I imagine this was the tipping point for Judas. He had watched for days as the religious leaders had tried to ensnare Him and each time Jesus had walked away. That was good, right? I think so, but I know Jesus on this side of the cross. Judas, as a zealot, wanted change. Jesus changed things – changed attitudes, hearts, bodies and minds. Yet, Judas wanted political change and if he could just force Jesus’ hand by turning Him over to those who were trying to destroy Him wouldn’t He rise up and save Himself and everyone else along with Him? It seemed logical. He was desperate. He was tired. Surely, this would work out the way he wanted. So, he did what any good zealot would do, he went and met with the Sanhedrin to start the revolution. What did a few pieces of silver matter? He could use it for the coming uprising when Jesus took down Rome. Sigh.
We have walked a long way today. We have walked through the streets of Jerusalem. We have sat on the steps of the temple. We have danced around the dangerous.
Jesus, late in the evening, turned His feet toward Bethany.
Grace and peace, my fellow walkers. Let’s walk together tomorrow.
Laura Lea
Penelope
March 27, 2018 @ 6:58 pm
I have a quote to share.
Easter says you can put truth in a grave, but it won’t stay there.
Clarence W. Ball
Jennell Wallace
March 29, 2018 @ 12:39 pm
Um um! His Truth is marching on! Thank you Jesus!
Thank you Laura Lea,
Very Beautiful💒