Sunday and Monday of Jesus’ last week proved to be quite dramatic. Entrance into the city with rejoicing crowds, weeping over a city whose eyes were closed, then rage in the temple.

Surely the powers that be in Jerusalem are trying to get their bearings after such an entrance, weighing their options. What would they do with Jesus the rabble-rouser, the instigator, the charismatic rebel leader? Who does Jesus think he is anyway?

Tuesday and Wednesday prove a bit more subdued, but only on the surface. Jesus spends most of his time teaching in the temple and verbally sparring with the religious leaders and their spies. It is here, in these back and forth dialogues that Jesus exposes why these leaders are really opposed to him. It is there, at the motivating center, the heart of a person, the real reason behind our actions, that the real battle rages. The battle is always there.

Lent is a time to look at the battle that rages within us. It is a battle over loyalty and love. Who we will give them to and who we won’t. Who or what will hold our chief affections. Read, meditate, pray and contemplate Luke 20. What is Jesus exposing in the hearts of his opponents? What might he be lovingly exposing within us?

The only way to the life we long for is to give it away. Will we follow Jesus with love and loyalty on that path? This is where he is leading us during his last week, these 6 weeks of Lent, and all of our weeks.

Pastor David