Word Online: Series 11 - Jesus in Jerusalem: Recent Episodes
Word Online
Jesus enters Jerusalem amidst huge popular support on ‘Palm Sunday’. All the Gospels devote much space to describing the events of the next week which lead to and include Jesus’ death and resurrection. In this series we see the deep hostility to Jesus from the religious authorities and the challenge Jesus is to them by his disruption the Temple trading area. Hostile trick questions are put to Jesus in the vain hope of trapping him into saying something unwise and providing a basis for arresting him. In the end, Jesus denounces the religious authorities.
Jesus condemns the religious leaders as hypocrites, stating seven condemnations, and predicting judgement on them and Israel. The widow in Luke's Gospel contrasts this showing the right Kingdom attitude.
The Pharisees ask a question about the greatest law but Jesus' answer was generally accepted by the Jews. He asks them a question about the divinity of the son of David which they cannot answer.
Sadducees, who did not believe in the afterlife, tried to trick Jesus with a hypothetical question. Using the Old Testament, Jesus responded and taught about the afterlife.
The Pharisees and Herodians try to trick Jesus by asking about paying taxes. Jesus replies 'Give Caesar what is Caesar's and God what is God's, clearly defining a difference between Church and State.
Another parable to teach that the invitation to the Jewish people to believe in Jesus as Messiah had been rejected yet others were invited in to the Kingdom of God. Punishment would follow.
Continuing in the dialogue with the religious leaders Jesus tells this parable to show that the Kingdom of God will be taken away from the Jews and others will enter. Jesus is the cornerstone they rejected.
The religious leaders try to trick Jesus with a question but he returns with a question of his own. He tells the parable to show that sinners are entering the Kingdom, having accepted Jesus as Messiah.
Despite many miracles and signs being performed in that area, most people did not believe. Jesus uses the prophecies of Isaiah to warn of impending disaster because of this unbelief.
Jesus explains that he must die just like a seed, so that others will be saved. God the Father speaks for the third time to confirm that Jesus' earthly life and his future death and resurrection has, and will, glorify him.
Mentioned in the last episode, the cursed fig tree dies by the next day causing Peter to comment. Jesus uses the event to teach about prayer. Prayers to move the obstacles to the Kingdom of God are encouraged.
For the second time, Jesus disrupts the marketeering in the Temple. He challenges the Jewish authorities and is moving forward the process of confrontation which will lead to His death.
After events in Bethany and Jericho, Jesus orchestrates his provocative entry into Jerusalem. He weeps for Israel and the judgement to come.