Hanging On His Words

It's Holy Week again, the run up to Good Friday, and the remembrance of the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ. Before dashing straight to the passion narratives, I thought it would be good to see what Jesus was doing in his final week before the cross.

Following the triumphal entry on Palm Sunday, he entered the Temple and drove out those who were selling. The place of prayer had become the place of robbery. Jesus purifies the temple, restoring it to its original purpose. Yet this act increases the attentions of his enemies.

Monday to Thursday, he was teaching openly: 'And he was teaching daily in the temple. The chief priests and the scribes and the principal men of the people were seeking to destroy him, but they did not find anything they could do, for all the people were hanging on his words.' (Luke 19: 47-48)

That's a great image, isn't it - hanging on his words. They were waiting with baited breath, hanging like washing on a line, caught like fish on a hook, wanting to hear what he was saying, listening intently to his teaching.

Who wouldn't? It was Jesus teaching, after all.

Well, the chief priests weren't so keen. But because of the crowds, they couldn't get near him to do him in.

And that's before he starts telling the pointed parables directed against them!

No small wonder that by chapter 22, they're wanting blood. 'Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called the Passover. And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to put him to death, for they feared the people.' (Luke 22: 1-2) What will the chief priests do? They've no way to advance their plan. Find out tomorrow!