Jesus is brought before the Sanhedrin religious court to find a way to condemn him to death.
This self-serving court was familiar to the locals.
Jesus is very up front with who he is (v.62).
These religious leaders thought they were the ultimate authority. That may have gotten a facepalmed laugh from His Majesty.
My life belongs to Christ.
The mock trial, false witnesses, religious posturing…Jesus patiently endured it all.
Lord Jesus, you are the King of kings and Lord of lords.
Jesus is betrayed.
No surprise here. The temple leaders have plotted this for a long time.
Jesus laid aside his divine power and authority to fulfill the mission at hand.
The mob thought they were in control.
Stay close to Jesus no matter what.
The betrayal of Jesus by one of his hand picked disciples stung. This is still an important detail when having spiritual conversations with seekers. Jesus understands heartbreak and betrayal.
Lord Jesus, I don’t want my life to betray you in any way.
Jesus prays in the garden to prepare for a physically and spiritually grueling mission.
It’s obvious that Jesus fully knows what is going to happen. Yet he does not run and hide. Instead, he prepares.
Jesus needed time with the Father to prepare for the days ahead.
We do not see the spiritual clearly.
Stay [spiritually] awake!
This should be very eye opening for Christ-followers. If Jesus needed intense prayer time with the Father, what about me?
Lord Jesus, teach me to pray and prepare for what is ahead.
Jesus shares Passover with his disciples- the last supper.
Jewish people would likely begin connecting the dots between the traditional Passover elements and Jesus’ death.
God’s long plan of redemption is being unveiled at last.
Betrayal and denial are part of man’s story.
Recognize God’s great work and worship Jesus.
This supper was a familiar one to the Jewish people…and it all points to Jesus.
Jesus, you are the perfect sacrificial lamb.
Religious leaders plot specifics about how to kill Jesus. Meanwhile, a lady anoints the feet of Jesus as an act of worship.
The plotting would not have surprised them. These leaders were known shot callers.
Jesus is worthy of any worship I can bring him and more.
By this time the temple leaders and Judas have already made up their minds where they stood with Jesus.
Be a worshipper, not a denier.
Eventually each person has to decide where they stand with Jesus. Neutral is not an option.
Jesus, help me express my overflowing love, admiration, and devotion through the kind of worship you deserve.
Jesus predicts several future apocalyptic events.
Though odd to our ears, of all of these alarming future events the destruction of the temple was likely most difficult for the original audience to hear.
God himself holds the future in his hand.
We are terrified of talk like this; however, Jesus does not abandon us.
Even in end times prophecy Jesus is the star, the rightful center of attraction.
There is much speculation that goes with these popular “end times” conversations. Season them with what you do know: Jesus is coming again, be ready, & help others be ready as well.
Lord Jesus, you are fully able to save. Help our eyes to be on you where they belong.
Jesus commends a poor widow’s generous gift to God.
People then, like now, would have to really pause and think for a moment after Jesus’ surprising observation.
God looks at the whole picture- motive, context, & heart.
People tend to look at the obvious and miss the mundane and more nuanced treasure that God values greatly.
Be generous.
This story is not separate from the rest of chapter 12. This poor widow is the polar opposite from the religious leaders of this chapter- powerless, humble, poor, generous… accepted and commended by God.
Father, help my life and faith imitate this godly lady.
Still more religious leaders work a full court press to try to trip up Jesus with trick questions.
Everyday folks knew what these hypocritical know-it-all religious leaders were doing.
God will not be tricked or trapped.
People love to make themselves the standard and assume others are somehow morally or intellectually below them.
Don’t try to trap Jesus, but trust him.
Jesus had a conversation with his smug accusers but we don’t have record of them changing their minds or hearts. Don’t be surprised if you don’t get better results than Jesus.
Lord Jesus, I am not sure of myself…but I trust you.
The religious leaders of the temple try to trap Jesus with the topic of taxes.
This plot is obvious and Jesus’ answer leaves them speechless.
God wants all of us.
Our most cunning intellect is child’s play compared to the mind of Christ.
Give God what he is due.
Sometimes when having spiritual conversations people resort to playing “stump the chump” to avoid exposing their own lack of answers.
Father, help me walk in the power of the Holy Spirit and speak or not speak at your prompting.
Jesus uses a parable to speak of his authority.
Although this is a parable, this is plain talk that anyone from this era would understand.
God’s patience has boundaries.
Mankind is full of wicked, self-serving, and short sighted ambition.
Honor Jesus.
This parable was spoken directly to the temple leaders and they questioned the authority of Jesus.
Lord Jesus, you are master, boss, shot-caller, and Lord of all.
