MPCC Youtube
Passion Week
Passion Monday:
As mentioned in Church yesterday, let’s take time this week to read in the Bible the events of Passion week as is commonly recognised in Christian circles:
On Monday, events to consider may include
1. Jesus cursing the fig tree and the cleansing of the Temple. Read and meditate on Mark 11:12-25.
Note especially Verse 17, as only Mark refers to the house of prayer shall be called a house of prayer for all nations. Other passages to consider are Isaiah 56:7, Jeremiah 7:11, and Matthew 21:13.
The Synoptic Gospels (Matthew 21, Mark 11, Luke 19) place the cleansing of the Temple at the end of Jesus’s ministry during Passover week, while John 2:12–17 mentions it at the beginning.
2. The authority of Jesus questioned, Luke 20:1- 8
3. The anointing of Jesus at Bethany (John 12:1–11), an event that in the Gospel of John occurred before Palm Sunday, as in John 12:12–19. Note, however, that the gospel of John is not in Chronological order.
Take some time to read these passages and to meditate and pray.
Passion Tuesday:
Passages to consider today are John 12: 20-36 and John 13:21-38. On both occasions, Jesus speaks plainly that he is to die like a kernel of wheat that falls in the ground and, at the right time, can produce a growth of many seeds!
It's spring, and the fields are full of early spring flowers, daffodils, and so on. Consider that the bulb was lifeless all year, and at the right moment in time, springs to life, producing a beautiful display of colour and life! Who told it to do that? The bulb in the ground was lifeless, cold, and in a dark place. Yet at the right time, it sprang to life! It speaks of an intelligent Creator God! Consider and meditate on Romans 1:19-20. Paul argues that God’s eternal power and divine nature are clearly seen through creation, making humanity "without excuse" for ignoring Him. While the famous phrase "The heavens declare the glory of God" is from Psalm 19:1, Romans confirms that nature makes God's existence plain to all people. We are without excuses, and that’s why Jesus said he must fall “into death” and “rise to bring life eternal” to all that would put their faith in Him.
Passion Wednesday:
Today, reflect on the incredible betrayal by one of the closest friends of Jesus. Judas Iscariot's betrayal of Jesus is detailed in Matthew 26:14-16, 26:47-50, Luke 22:3-6, and John 13:21-30. Judas, one of the twelve apostles, agreed to deliver Jesus to the chief priests for 30 pieces of silver, identifying him with a kiss in the Garden of Gethsemane. Read and reflect on these passages.
The disciples marvel at the beauty and stunning construction of the Temple. As they marvel, Jesus delivers the Olivet Discourse. Jesus teaches on the destruction of Jerusalem, Luke 21:6 “As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down.”. The Olivet Discourse is Jesus' major teaching on end-times prophecy, primarily found in Matthew 24 - 25, with parallel passages in Mark 13:1-37 and Luke 21:5-36. Delivered on the Mount of Olives, it covers the destruction of the Temple, signs of the end of the age, the tribulation, and the Second Coming.
The Second Temple in Jerusalem was eventually destroyed by the Roman army, led by Titus, in 70 AD during the First Jewish–Roman War. The destruction followed a months-long siege, resulting in massive casualties, the burning of the Temple, and the exile of many Jews, transforming Judaism into a religion centred on prayer and study rather than sacrifice.
The destruction marked a major shift in Jewish history, leading to the development of Rabbinic Judaism as we know it today and the scattering of the people of Israel all over the world.
Take time to reflect on the betrayal and how we find challenges in relations, and how we can manage those distractions. Also reflect on the coming of Jesus at the second coming as we find ourselves in the soon coming end of days!