Day 19. In Matthew 21 we read of the chief priests and elders asking Jesus a simple question. Of course with these religious leaders, it was never easy, but baited. They tried to trap Jesus by asking him who gave him the authority to preach and heal.
Day 18. Early one morning, while waking with his disciples, Jesus got hungry. He approached a fig tree hoping to find fruit, but there was none. Jesus put a curse on the fig tree, and it withered. A curse? Jesus?
Day 17. Today we look at the story of Jesus cleansing the temple. The money changers had set up their tables in the Court of the Gentiles. This was the only place the Gentiles could pray at the temple.
Day 16. As we read further in Luke, we find the passage that tells of Jesus’ response when he saw the city of Jerusalem from the back of the colt. “As he came near and saw the city, he wept over it” (Luke 19:41).
Day 14. At last Jesus and the disciples completed their journey from Galilee to Jerusalem. So much happened along the way, and word spread. When Jesus was at Lazarus’s house in Bethany, where Mary anointed his feet, people began to gather to see him and to see Lazarus, because they had heard the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead.
Day 13. “Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on his feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume” (John 12:3). This story paints a beautiful image of worship. To sit at Jesus feet was an act of humility. To rub perfume on his feet was an act of trust. Mary was so moved by her love for Jesus as her teacher and her friend, that she took a chance. She spent a year’s wages to demonstrate her love and Jesus accepted her gift. Such an expression of love and worship brings deep peace to the soul.
Day 12. After Jesus healed the blind beggar, he continued on toward Jerusalem. He stopped under the tree that Zacchaeus had climbed to get a better view of Jesus. Jesus called Zacchaeus down and told him that they were to go to Zaccheaus’ house.
Day 11. He and the disciples traveled on foot from Galilee, making their way to Jerusalem, and Jesus spoke in parables to the crowds who would gather around. People called out to him. “Jesus, Messiah, Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on us.”
Day 10. In the gospels of Matthew and Mark we have the story of James and John, the sons of Zebedee. They approached Jesus one day and asked him if he would grant them a position on his left and his right sides during his rule as Messiah.
After the death of John the Baptist, Jesus tried to withdraw from the crowds, but they followed him. He was grieving, but he did not turn them away. It was there that the miracle of the loaves and fishes took place and the crowds were fed. Only after they were cared for did Jesus send them away, along with the disciples.