As our devotions continue during the days the church labels “Holy Week,” it is important to keep our focus upon Christ’s earthly mission – to secure redemption for the sins of mankind. More than likely, the events of Holy Week provide context and explanation that the sacrifice of Jesus would fulfill the Law’s requirement for the punishment of sin. In addition, the events were skewed to help the religious leaders understand how they had been misinterpreting the Scriptures.
Each evening during the early part of the week, Jesus and the disciples appear to have spent the night with their good friends, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus in the small village of Bethany. How far was Bethany from Jerusalem? The Bible helps us to know the distance. John tells us that Bethany was located about two miles east of Jerusalem (John 11:18). The distance was considered a “Sabbath’s day journey” – the distance you could legally travel on the Sabbath (Acts 1:12).
Evenings in Bethany
Residing with the friends was not just a matter of convenience. No more than a few weeks prior, Lazarus had been raised from the dead by the Savior. The greatest of object lessons should have kept the image of an empty tomb in front of the people. Jesus certainly gave the disciples enough hints about the probability of a resurrection.
The ancient road between Bethany and Jerusalem was a well-traveled pathway in New Testament times. The road was on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives, making it the main road for travelers entering or leaving Jerusalem during the time of feasts.
Traveling to Jerusalem, the path was rugged and almost constantly uphill. Flanked by olive gardens and rocky terrain, the road meandered through the narrow Kidron Valley as it worked its way up to the city gates. The path offered breathtaking views of the Temple complex. The steps allowed people to reflect and contemplate, as the journey served as spiritual exercise much more than just physical.
A Matter of Chronology
Before we continue to think about some of Jesus’ teaching on Monday, we need to consider a couple of points of chronology. First, in what year was Jesus crucified? Church tradition has accepted either 30AD or 33AD. Depending on the year, the actual days of the Passover would vary. Pilate was governor over Judea from 26 to 37 so a variety of years would have been possible. Most branches of Christianity accept 30AD as the year.
We must also remember that the Jewish day was counted from sundown to sundown. Our day begins in the middle of the night at midnight. But the Jewish “day” began at suppertime. If the Passover was on a Thursday, then the Passover meal would have been eaten on Wednesday before the sunset. The calendar below will help visualize the concepts.
As Jesus approached Jerusalem, he passed a fig tree which would have provided a nice snack for the journey. The tree appeared to be healthy – it has already blossomed and had leaves. But there were no evidence of a single piece of fruit on the tree.
We are told that Jesus cursed the tree. Don’t think of him as mad and spouting foul language. Cursing the tree meant proclaiming a statement of judgment against it. Because the tree wasn’t what it was supposed to be doing, it was not able to nourish people. The lesson for authentic and genuine Christianity seems obvious.
Monday Merchants
When Jesus entered the Temple courtyards on Monday, he was struck by the number of merchants in the area. The Passover was big business for Jerusalem and the religious leaders. Merchants provided a service for the people. They were there for convenience. People were required to sacrifice and a variety of animals and grains could be used for the process. Because many people traveled distances to come to Jerusalem, it was easier for people to buy what they needed in the courtyard area.
Think about trying to get a hotel in Louisville during the week of the Kentucky Derby. Prices skyrocket because local merchants want their bottom line to be profitable. If a small dove would normally sell for $5, during the Passover, it would likely cost $20.
Money changers were also present in the Temple courtyards. Almost every country minted their own coins. The Temple likely only accepted Hebrew coinage for offerings. Money changers helped the people by exchanging the Greek coinage for Hebrew currency. Of course, they offered this service at a hefty profit.
Jesus chased out all of the merchants and bankers. If there is a lesson in this story for today, it might be wise to ask how much have we made worship a matter of convenience? If we no longer have to attend church because it streams on our computer, have we taken away a portion of what makes worship, worship?
Throughout the day, people questioned Jesus’ authority to teach and do the things that he did. Some were quick to say, “No one has every taught with such authority.” The religious leaders were upset because Jesus did not follow their constructed chain of command.
In the end, Monday was a day that stressed the sincere and genuine nature of faith.