Holy Tuesday

Holy Tuesday

Today is Holy Tuesday (actually reckoned from Monday evening to Tuesday evening).

Holy Tuesday was a day of conflict and a day of teaching for our Lord. It was VERY busy!

According to Matthew, Mark and Luke, Jesus again returned to Jerusalem where He was confronted by the Temple leadership for His violent actions in the Temple the day before – overturning the tables, chasing folks out, forbidding anyone to pass through the area, etc.

Against their accusations and questions, He repeatedly defended His claim that He is the Messiah. Mark gives us the most detailed account of this confrontation (Mark 11:27-13:37).

Also on Holy Tuesday, Jesus taught the crowds of people extensively and shared a number of parables. Any of these are worthy of our reading and reflection. They include:

The parable of the vineyard (Matthew 21:33-46).

The parable of the wedding banquet (Matthew 22:1).

The teaching on paying taxes (Matthew 22:15).

The rebuke of the Sadducees who deny the resurrection (Matthew 22:23).

Apparently, Tuesday is the last day that Jesus entered the Temple to teach. No further debate with the Jewish leaders was necessary or would be profitable.

On the return to Bethany the disciples had many questions. So Jesus, sitting on the Mount of Olives overlooking the Temple, answered them in what we call the Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24 and 25, cf. Luke 21:5ff.). This discourse includes some of the Lord’s most astonishing (and troubling) end-time prophecies.

As the day came to a close, Jesus pronounced a devastating curse on the city. He described the coming destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple because the Jewish authorities had rejected Him.

Event Location Matthew Mark Luke John
Disciples see the withered fig tree Mount of Olives 21:19-22 11:20-26 21:37-38
Jesus’ authority questioned by leaders Jerusalem 21:23-27 11:27-33 20:1-8
Parable of the two sons Jerusalem 21:23-27
Parable of the vinedressers Jerusalem 21:33-46 12:1-12 20:9-19
Parable of the wedding feast Jerusalem 22:1-14
Pharisees question: paying taxes Jerusalem 22:15-22 12:13-17 20:20-26
Sadducees question: resurrection Jerusalem 22:23-33 12:18-27 20:27-40
Scribe’s question: great commandment Jerusalem 22:35-40 12:28-34
Jesus’ question: David’s Lord Jerusalem 22:41-46 12:35-37 20:41-44
Woe to the scribes and Pharisees Jerusalem 23:1-39 12:38-40 20:45-47
Poor widow’s mite Jerusalem 12:41-44 21:1-4
Prophecy of destruction of Jerusalem and the Lord’s coming Mount of Olives 24:1-51 13:1-37 21:5-36
Parable of the ten virgins Mount of Olives 25:1-13
Parable of the talents Mount of Olives 25:14-30
Parable of the sheep and the goats Mount of Olives 25:31-46

(Chart constructed by William Stewart)

Prayer Point

Consider the priority that Jesus gave to teaching throughout His ministry. Is hearing from Him your greatest priority? Think of how much He taught just on this day, even though He was in the shadow of the Cross!

Remember how Jesus told Martha that sitting at His feet and hearing His voice was the “one necessary thing” she must do each day (Luke 10:38-42)?

I think it’s fair to say that it’s the “one necessary thing” that we need to do each day as well!

Today, on Holy Tuesday, why not ask God to renew your devotion to hearing from Him consistently, daily?

share

Recommended Posts

Comments

  1. The words of one of our worship songs comes quickly to mind with today’s challenge…let it be so in my heart, Lord Jesus…

    “All I once held dear, built my life upon, All this world reveres, and wars to own
    All I once thought gain I have counted loss, Spent and worthless now, compared to this…

    Knowing you, Jesus, Knowing you, there is no greater thing
    You’re my all, you’re the best, You’re my joy, my righteousness
    And I love you, Lord…

    Now my heart’s desire is to know you more, To be found in you and known as yours
    To possess by faith what I could not earn, All-surpassing gift of righteousness…

    Knowing you, Jesus, Knowing you, there is no greater thing
    You’re my all, you’re the best, You’re my joy, my righteousness
    And I love you, Lord…

    Oh, to know the power of your risen life, And to know You in Your sufferings
    To become like you in your death, my Lord, So with you to live and never die

    Knowing you, Jesus, Knowing you, there is no greater thing
    You’re my all, you’re the best, You’re my joy, my righteousness
    And I love you, Lord…

    (Songwriters: Tim Hughes / Ben Cantelon)

Comments are closed.