Events on Calvary’s eve
Key Verses: 5, 9, 24, 34, 38, 54, 65,
The religious leaders have now determined to kill Jesus and all they worry about is the political consequences! When evil people do things, their logic is often broken. They are not worried about murdering someone, but about the political consequences of the timing. A bit odd, isn’t it!
The protests around Chick fil-A recently show this. Perceived intolerance was answered with intolerance. A positive statement about marriage between a man and a woman was turned around into a statement against homosexuality. And in reaction to this perception, they labeled the positive statement about traditional marriage as intolerance. They became intolerant in the process. Or perhaps their own insecurities drove their language and actions. They will only be satisfied if everyone conforms to their view of the world, accepting homosexual behavior as normal. Their view must be the only view allowed. That is intolerance. But they can’t see it.
The disciples see the poured perfume and consider it a waste. They consider their perception as the correct one and jump to judgment. Their view must be the correct view and all others are to be crushed. But Jesus steps in and gives them a new perspective. I could see a church split in the making if Jesus had not stepped in and spoken Truth. The poor are not the ultimate service project for the Church. They are one priority among many.
Even on the day before Jesus gives His life for us, His disciples still don’t have understanding. Judas is warned about the consequences of his act of betrayal, but he proceeds with his plan. And Peter doesn’t see his own triple betrayal, blinded by pride.
Jesus is filled with grief. Sorrow overtakes Him. His pleas for another way go unanswered. His disciples sleep. Their statements of fidelity have quickly revealed their weakness. Judas kisses in greeting, an additional act of betrayal. But Jesus yields to the will of God.
And so the political consequences of being arrested during the feast are mitigated with mock trials. They try to make the case that they are doing the ‘right’ thing killing Jesus. They convince themselves of their own illogic first. And then the crowds buy their broken logic because herd mentality takes over.
The Arnold Journey 