Passion Tuesday
Tuesday is filled with lessons and filled with faith, authority and the kingdom of God. After cleansing the temple he returns to the temple courts knowing his time is short. He began teaching with some of the more profound and challenging words of his ministry.
Religious leaders were threatened by his popularity and authority. They tried to trap him with hard questions, hoping to discredit him. Every attempt they made revealed his wisdom and depth of understanding. The tension must have been intense over the crowd. The chief priests, scribes, and elders demanded to know by what authority Jesus was doing these things. They wanted him exposed as a false teacher. One with no right to speak in the name of God. Jesus responded and left them speechless. He asked a question? Matthew 21:25-27 He asked, was the baptism of John from heaven or from men? This put them in a dilemma. If they said from heaven then they would have to explain why they didn’t believe in John’s message. If they said from men they were afraid of the reaction of the crowd. The people who believed John a prophet. They answered they did not know. Then Jesus refused to answer their questions. He answered, neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things. This reveals something important about the heart of unbelief. Religious leaders were not really interested in the truth. They were interested only in protecting their power and positions. Unwilling to consider Jesus was sent by God. Because then they would be acknowledging that their authority was flawed.
It challenges us to examine our own hearts and ask are we truly open to God’s truth? Even when it confronts our assumptions and desires? Are we willing to surrender our own authority and submit to him when it’s uncomfortable? Often in silencing them opposing him Jesus continued to teach in parables.
The parable of the tenants. Matthew 21:33-46 A landlord rents his vineyard and goes on a trip. When harvest time comes he sends servants to collect the fruit of the harvest. Instead of honoring the agreement the tenants beat, stone and kill the servants. The landowner then sends his son thinking they will respect him. They plot to kill him and take his inheritance. Jesus asks what will the owner do to these tenants? The crowd answers he will end their wretched existence. He will rent the vineyard to others who will give him his share. This is a clear indictment of the religious leaders.The vineyard represents Israel, the tenants the religious leaders and the servants the prophets sent by God. The son Jesus himself. By rejecting Jesus the son, the tenants or religious leaders seal their fate. Jesus was warning the religious leaders. Their refusal to accept him would lead to judgment. The kingdom would be taken from them and given to others who would produce fruit. This was not just for leaders of Jesus day. It speaks to all. Are we producing the fruit of the kingdom? Living lives that honor the king? Are we holding back? Holding on to control over our own lives? Religious leaders realized that Jesus was speaking about them and wanted to arrest him. They were afraid of the crowd who saw Jesus as the Messiah. They left plotting how to trap him with his words.
This led to a series of questions meant to trap Jesus in controversy. Whether it was right to pay taxes to Caesar. Hoping to trap him with the people or anger the Roman government.Jesus response is simple and powerful. Matthew 22:21 Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s. He sidestepped their trap and pointed to a greater truth. We may have obligations in this world but our ultimate obligation belongs to God.
Passion Tuesday reminds us to stay loyal to our creator. Our loyalty should not waver under the powers and pressures of this world. It reminds us no matter the situations we face we must honor God above all else. The tension continued and some who didn’t believe in the resurrection asked a question about marriage and the afterlife. Hoping to ridicule the idea of eternal life. If a widow remarries, in the afterlife, whose wife will she be? Matthew 22:29-32 Jesus saw through it and replied you don’t know the scriptures or power of God. In heaven they don’t marry, but are as the angels. He pointed out even the scriptures they claimed to know pointed to the reality of the resurrection life.
The questions ended but he went on teaching. He turned to the crowd and the disciples and warned them about the hypocrisy of the religious leaders. Of their love of titles, and desires for recognition. Their tendency to burden people with heavy loads while not paying attention to the heart of the law, justice, mercy and faithfulness. Matthew 23:27 Woe to you scribes and Pharisees. You hypocrites you are like the whitewashed tombs. Which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. His words sharp but spoken out of love desiring to call people back to true righteousness.
Passion Tuesday confronts us with questions of authority. Who has the final say in our lives? Are we like the religious leaders clinging to our own power and resisting God’s call to surrender? Are we recognizing Jesus as the true king even if it means letting go of our pride and plans. This day is a reminder of urgency of Jesus’ message. He knew his time was short so he had to get to the point with clarity and conviction. Calling people to repentance and faith.
Passion Wednesday
Sometimes this day is known as spy Wednesday because it marks the day of Judas. One of Jesus’ disciples made the decision to betray Jesus. This event reminds us of the painful reality of betrayal and the tragic consequences of rejecting grace. Passion Wednesday stirs a mix of emotions sorrow, reflection and a sober realization of human weakness. A day that shows us the darker side of the heart. Yet it also highlights the unwavering commitment of Jesus to fulfill his mission no matter the cost. Judas had been with Jesus three years. He had seen miracles, heard the teachings and experienced first hand the love and grace of the Messiah. Despite all this he chose to betray Jesus. Scripture tells us Matthew 26:15. Judas went to the chief priests and asked them what are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you? And they counted with him 30 pieces of silver. From that time Judas began looking for a time to hand Jesus over. This was more than a lapse of judgment. It was tragic choices, attitudes and desires that he allowed to take root in his heart. the Bible hints of his struggle with greed and compassion as treasurer of the group. John 12:6 Jesus said he didn’t care for the poor but because he was a thief. It notes that he would sometimes steel from the bag. He may have initially followed Jesus thinking he would become a powerful political leader. As time passed Jesus spoke more about suffering, being a servant and self sacrifice.This would have shattered Judas expectations. Jesus offered a kingdom of humility.
Betrayal is one of the deepest wounds a person can suffer. It’s not just about broken trust. It’s about being rejected by someone you love. For Jesus his betrayal wasn’t a surprise. It was still painful. He knew what Judas would do yet he still washed his feet at the last supper, and shared bread with him. Matthew 26:50 Jesus called him friend in the garden when they came to arrest him. This is grace beyond our understanding. To love and serve someone even when you know they will turn against you.
Passion Wednesday asks us to examine our hearts. Have we allowed bitterness or greed into our hearts? Have we allowed disappointment to take root? Are there times when you have been temped to betray Jesus? Betrayal like choosing our desires over his will?
Judas’ story warns us but it’s also a reminder of Jesus’ mercy. Until the very end Jesus gave Judas the opportunity to turn back, repent and receive forgiveness. Judas choose the path that led to regret and destruction. The contrast between Judas and the other disciples is great. They also wrestled with fear, doubt and misunderstanding. They remained open to Jesus correction and grace. Judas closed his heart.
This day teaches us that the condition of our heart matters more than our outward actions. We can be close to Jesus physically as Judas but far from him spiritually. Judas’ tragedy is he was close to grace yet he rejected it.
This day challenges us to consider how we respond when God’s plans don’t align with our expectations.When it became clear Jesus’ path led to the cross Judas became disillusioned and turned away. How do we respond when God’s ways don’t match up with our desires? Do we trust him or we like Judas become bitter and turn our backs?
Passion Wednesday calls us to surrender our expectations and trust in the wisdom and goodness of God. Even when his ways are hard to understand.