Last Precious Moments

As we come to the final week of the earthly life of Christ we are down to his last precious moments. Every second was important. Each action the Lord took and every word he spoke were full of significance. One fourth of each of the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke focus upon the this time period. Almost half of the Gospel of John is concerned with this last week.

Most commentators focus upon what we have come to know as Palm Sunday then they move quickly past the next several days almost glossing over them until they get to the Last Supper. But I don’t want us to rush. I think we need to ponder and savor what we know of the life of Jesus on these “in between” days.

It seems that each evening Jesus retired to Bethany, probably to the home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus. Every morning he made the two mile trek back to Jerusalem to teach in the Temple. Passover was fast approaching. Jesus must have watched as this years crop of Passover lambs were purchased to go home to families so they could ensure their lamb was perfect and unblemished, approved for the sacrifice. These lambs were a vivid reminder to Jesus, this year he would be the Passover lamb. He must have felt the pressure of the clock ticking, not to mention the emotions of distress and dread beginning to creep in. Yet he doesn’t seem hurried or worried as he moved through the week, he seemed to have all the time in the world. He was poised and present.

During these “in between" days Jesus demonstrated the importance of spiritual fruitfulness when he cursed the fig tree because it showed no signs of bearing fruit. He emphasized the importance of giving when he commended the widow who gave her last coin. He moved with grace and compassion as he stopped to heal the blind and the lame. He was unafraid of the ones who wanted to do him in. He was fearless as they tried over and over again to verbally trap him. Take some time later to read the seven woes he pronounced upon the Pharisees in Matthew 23 to get a good idea of how he did not go along to get along even when his opponents held political power over his life. You might think he would be a little less confrontative to save his own skin. He was far more concerned about the sanctity of his Father’s house than offending the Temple officials when he turned over the tables of the money changers. He didn’t avoid the Sadducees who were trying to catch him with a trick question about marriage and resurrection but he answered with aplomb. He was undeterred as his enemies coalesced. He moved magnificently through each of these “in between” days, confounding those who tried to corner him one minute, then turning with compassion to heal an infirmed individual the next. Fearless and tender, He knew how to respond to each person.

One of the last things Jesus did with his precious time before his final night on earth was to sit down with a handful of his disciples and give what is one of his longest teachings in all the Gospels. The setting was glorious, he taught from the Mount of Olives looking back at the impressive gold-covered Temple gleaming in the light of the sun. He prioritized this time for his talk. The topic was important.

He spoke about his return. He was about to face the trauma of the cross but he was also thinking about his return. He was coming back as the victorious warrior, the judge of mankind, the one who will rule and reign in righteousness. He wanted this firmly cemented in their minds. He gave them some details and descriptions about what his return will look like in Matthew 24 and 25. He gave them specifics, what to look for and what to expect. But the main thrust of his talk was he wanted his disciples to be spiritually prepared. He didn’t want them confused or disappointed. He didn’t want them to fall away or be misled. He told them no man would know the actual day of His return but they must be able to connect the dots and discern the season, the general time. These words echo throughout his talk: Be alert. Be ready. Be watchful. Be sober. Be aware. Do not squander your time, energy or talents. Prepare your hearts to remain faithful. Persevere. Be stedfast. Overcome.

Jesus knew he was leaving his little flock of disciples and their world was about to be rocked. He took the last few days of his earthly life to encourage them and anchor their hearts firmly in the hope of his return. May we follow the model he set during these last precious moments and take his message to heart.

Dear Lord,
I thank you for the amazing way Jesus knew how to respond to each person and situation in his path. Thank you for the way He took the time to emphasize bearing fruit and sacrificial giving even as his time grew short. Thank you for his display of compassion and grace during his last few days. Thank you for that he was uncompromising and fearless when it came to confronting his enemies about the truth. Thank you for his first coming when he dealt with our most pressing problem, our sin. And thank you for his future return when he will bring about the restoration of all things. May our hearts be anchored in the hope of our glorious future.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen