Passion Week Tuesday: The Day of Defense

Outline

Scripture reading: Mark 11:27

Mark 11:27 ESV

And they came again to Jerusalem. And as he was walking in the temple, the chief priests and the scribes and the elders came to him,

Introduction: What should our attitude be when we come to Jesus?

Main body: What do I have to say?

Jesus

Conclusion: What should you do in response to what I have said?

List of events

Jesus teaches on the fig tree that withered (Mark 11:20-25; Matt. 21:18-22)

Jesus is interrogated by the religious leaders

Chief priests and elders question Jesus’ authority (Matt. 21:23-27; Luke 20:1-7)

Jesus tells parables

Parable of the two sons (Matt. 21:28-32)

Parable of the tenants (Matt. 21:33-46; Luke 20:9-18)

Parable of the wedding feast (Matt. 22:1-14)

Pharisees question Jesus about paying taxes to Caesar (Mark 12:13-17; Matt. 22:15-22; Luke 20:19-26).

Sadducees question Jesus about marriage in the Resurrection (Mark 12:18-27; Matt. 22:23-33; Luke 20:27-40).

A scribe asks Jesus about the most important commandment (Mark 12:28-34; Matt. 22:34-40).

No one dares to ask Jesus any more questions (Mark 12:34; Matt. 22:46; Luke 20:40).

Mark records this part before Jesus’ teaching on the son of David.

Matthew records this part after Jesus’ teaching on the son of David.

Luke records this part after Jesus refutes the Sadducees.

Jesus teaches in the temple

The Messiah is the son of David (Mark 12:35-37; Matt. 22:41-45; Luke 20:41-44)

Seven woes to the scribes and Pharisees (Matt. 23:1-36)

Jesus warns against the scribes (Mark 12:38-40; Luke 20:45-47)

Jesus laments over Jerusalem (Matt. 23:37-38)

Jesus honors the widow’s offering of two copper coins (Mark 12:41-44; Luke 21:1-4)

Jesus foretells the destruction of the temple (Mark 13:1-2; Matt. 24:1-2; Luke 21:20-24)

Jesus teaches about the signs of the end time (Mark 13:3-37; Matt. 24:3-35)

Warnings of false prophets, wars, natural disasters, and persecution (Mark 13:3-13; Luke 21:10-19)

Warning of the Abomination of Desolation (Mark 13:14-23)

Coming of the Son of Man (Mark 13:24-37; Luke 21:25-28)

The lesson of the fig tree (Luke 21:29-33)

Stay awake and alert (Luke 21:34-36)

The Son of Man must be lifted up (Matt. 26:1-2; John 12:27-36).

In John’s account, Jesus says, “Father, glorify Your name. And a voice comes from heaven saying, “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” (John 12:28)

The chief priests and elders gather in the palace of high priest Caiaphas and plot to arrest and kill Jesus (Matt. 26:3-5).

A woman anoints Jesus with an alabaster jar of expensive perfume (Mark 14:3-9; Matt. 26:6-13; John 12:1-8)

Introduction

Today is Tuesday, the third day of Passion Week. And on this day Jesus was interrogated by the religious leaders. For this reason, we traditionally call this the day the Day of Debate.

The Sadducees didn’t know the power of God. When you don’t know the power of God, you don’t fear Him. You can’t. That’s why they treated God so lightly, when in fact Jesus reveals that the resurrection and eternal life is not some kind of event. Eternal life is knowing God. How? Through the scriptures. And the scriptures teach what? That the Messiah will come as the son of David, and his Lord. So what’s funny is that the Sadducees looked eternal life in the face and mocked Him.

The Jews had these great expectations for Jesus, but he didn’t match them.

Jesus didn’t even seem interested in Rome or the political situation.

Jesus chased the Jews from the temple instead of the Romans.

Jesus didn’t establish the temple, but spoke of its destruction.

Jesus chose the twelve disciples for three reasons (Mark 3:13-15).

To be with Him

To preach the Gospel

To cast out demons

The parable of the two sons focuses on Jesus coming to do the will of the Father. God is pictured as a father.

The parable of the tenants focuses on the judgement of the Father upon those who have no regard for His Son. God is pictured as a Lord (kyrios).

The parable of the wedding feast focuses on God as King (basileus).