THE LAST WEEK OF JESUS’ LIFE EARTH BEFORE THE CRUCIFIXION

In the last week of Jesus’ human life before on earth, He commenced the redemptive work to accomplish salvation for all humanity of their sins.  Jesus’ love, suffering, death, resurrection and ascension established salvation for everyone through faith (John 3:16; Romans 5:8-9).

Sunday:   Jesus’ Messianic and Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem
Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:28-44; John 12:12-19 

The next day, the news that Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem swept through the city. A large crowd of Passover visitors took palm branches and went down the road to meet Him. They shouted, “Praise God ((Hosanna or Save Now)! Blessings on the One who comes in the Name of the Lord! Hail to the King of Israel!” Jesus found a young donkey and rode on it, fulfilling the prophecy that said: “Do not be afraid, people of Jerusalem (O Daughter of Zion). Look, your King is coming, riding on a donkey’s colt.” John 12:12-15 (NLT), also Psalm 118:25-26; Psalm 148:1; Zephaniah 3:15; Zechariah 9:9-10.

On Palm Sunday, we celebrate Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem. Jesus opened His last week on earth by riding into Jerusalem during Passover on a donkey under a covering of palm branches, with large crowd of people welcoming Him as their King. This was Sunday of Jesus’ last week before He would be crucified, and the great Passover festival was about to begin. Jews from all over the Roman world came to Jerusalem during this weeklong celebration to remember from exodus from Egyptian slavery (Exodus 12:37-51).

Many people in the crowds had heard of or seen Jesus and were hoping to see Him come to the temple (John 11:55-57). The people knew of Jesus’ many miracles and great teaching. The people thought Jesus would be the King and national leader to restore Israel.  Jesus came for Passover celebration as a gentle, humble and peaceable King on a donkey's colt, just as Zechariah 9:9-10 and Isaiah 62:11 of the Old Testament had predicted.

During most of Jesus’ public ministry on earth, He kept His identity as the true Lord and Messiah hidden from the people. However, in this rare scene coming into Jerusalem, large crowds openly acknowledged and accepted Jesus as the true Messiah from God and honored Him as such. The crowds of people shouted "Hosanna" which means "Save Now" and fulfilling the Old Testament prophecies in Zechariah 9:9 as well as Psalm 24:7-10; Psalm 118:25-26.  The crowds spoke of King David in reference of God's words to King David in 2 Samuel 7:12-14. Tragically, in just a few short days, the crowd’s acceptance will quickly turned into rejection! When the people learned that Jesus was not going to fulfill their hopes, many people quickly turned against Him. This same crowd cried out as few days later to "Crucify Him" as Jesus stood on trial. 

  Brag About God

This is what the Lord says: “The wise must not brag about their wisdom. The strong must not brag about their strength. The rich must not brag about their money. But if someone wants to brag, let him brag that he understands and knows Me (the Lord God). Let him brag that I am the Lord, and that I am kind and fair (with unfailing love), and that I do things that are right (and just) on earth. This kind of bragging pleases Me,“ says the Lord. Jeremiah 9:23-24 (NCV).

 

The prophet Jeremiah wept for the people of Judah who ignored the Lord God and His commands. Lying, cheating, boasting, betrayal, greed, adultery, and idolatry had become common sins (see also Matthew 23:37).  Sadly, people often admire these common sins because they sometimes lead to riches, power, and worldly wisdom. The scholars might boast about their knowledge and intellect. The business executives might flaunt their power and high position.  Wealthy people might show off their riches by wearing fine clothes and constructing big houses. However, in the end, all of these things lead to emptiness in God’s eyes. 

God wants all people to personally know Him as God and live a life that reflects His love, mercy, kindness, justice and righteousness (see also Micah 6:8). The Lord God wants our boasting of Him and knowing Him as God (1 Corinthians 1:31; 2 Corinthians 10:17). Let's all boast and brag not about money, houses and human wisdom but about knowing God!

Faith In My Redeemer 

But as for me (Job), I know that my Redeemer lives, and that He will stand upon the earth at last.   And I know that after this body has decayed, this body shall see God!  Then He (God) will be on my side! Yes, I shall see Him, not as a stranger, but as a friend! What a glorious hope!  Job 19:25-27 (TLB). 

Job was a very wealthy and upright man who loved God.  Yet, God allowed Satan to destroy his family, his wealth, and his health through no fault of Job.  Nevertheless, Job refused to give up on God.  Job continued to trust God no matter what happened around him.  Job's friends and wife accused and abandoned him, but Job had faith that God would care for him.
 
At the heart of the book of Job comes Job’s overwhelming affirmation of faith and confidence:  "I know that my Redeemer lives." Job expressed tremendous faith in God as His Redeemer who would take care of him.  Even faced with death and disaster, Job still looked and depended on God.  Job’s faith in God was so strong that he became one of the first people in the Bible to affirm the resurrection of the body (see also Psalm 16:10; Isaiah 26:19; Daniel 12:2, 13; 1 Corinthians 15:50-58). Job was confident that God's justice, love and care would triumph, even at the point of death (Psalm 27:10). 

In the end, God fully restored Job’s family, possessions and health and he received even greater blessings than he had before (Job 42:1-17).  Job humbly and confidently affirmed that God is his Redeemer (and Restorer).  Job is an example of faith and trust in God that all people should imitate (James 5:11).  We must trust God even when life makes no sense. As the book of Job teaches, those who trust in God will be rewarded.  Both the Old Testament and the New Testament state that God and God living within Jesus Christ is our Redeemer (Exodus 6:6; Psalm 19:14; Psalm 103:4; Proverb 23:10-11; Isaiah 43:1; Isaiah 54:5; Ephesians 1:7, 14; Hebrews 9:12; 1 Peter 1:18). 

The Lord is my Light and the One who saves me.... The Lord protects my life...I will trust the Lord…. He will take care of me (Psalm 27).

Heart Worship

The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to Him. For He [God] laid the earth’s foundation on the seas and built it on the ocean depths. Psalms 24:1-2 (NLT).

Do you know what the primary reason God created humankind (male and female)?  TO WORSHIP GOD.  God made people (man and woman) in His own image and likeness for His glory to worship Him (Isaiah 43:7).  Worship is not something you “do” on Sunday.  Worship is love and a lifestyle of loving God with all our hearts and caring and serving others (Leviticus 19:18, Deuteronomy 6:4-6 and Matthew 22:34-40; Mark 12:30 and Luke 10:27).  Moreover, worship is also a commitment to holy living (Psalm 15, Psalm 29:1-2 and Matthew 5:48).  In all He does, God is holy, perfect, and blameless. Just as God is holy, so we are also to be holy (Leviticus 19:1; 1 Peter 1:15-16). Most important, worship is a humble, wholehearted surrender and trust in God. Matthew 6:33 states to seek the Kingdom of God above all else because God owns everything (Psalm 24:1-2).  

 Jesus’ Daily Activities

Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And He healed every kind of disease and illness. News about Him spread as far as Syria, and people soon began bringing to Him all who were sick. And whatever their sickness or disease, or if they were demon-possessed or epileptic or paralyzed—He healed them all. Large crowds followed Him wherever He went—people from Galilee, the Ten Towns, Jerusalem, from all over Judea, and from east of the Jordan River. Matthew 4:23-25 (NLT), see also Mark 1:35-39; Luke 4:42-44. 

During Jesus’ public ministry while on earth, Jesus spent His time teaching, preaching, and healing large crowds of people. Teaching, preaching and healing were the three main aspects of Jesus' ministry. Jesus soon developed a large following and commanding preaching ministry.  He regularly spoke in the synagogues. Synagogues served as a religious gathering place on the Sabbath and as a school during the week.

Jesus preached the Good News (Gospel) to everyone. The Good News is that the Kingdom of God has come in the Person of Jesus and that God loves us (Mark 1:14-15; John 3:16).  Jesus' Good News offers everyone freedom from sin, blessed hope, peace in heart, bodily healing and eternal life with God.  To claim all these Good News benefits, we simply have to follow Jesus!   

Jesus' Seven Last Statements on the Cross at Calvary

"[God the] Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." Luke 23:34

"I tell you the truth, today you will be with Me in paradise." Luke 23:43

Jesus speaking to His disciple John and His mother Mary, "Dear woman, here is Your Son...Here is your (John) mother." John 19:26-27

"My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? "Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34 (see also Psalm 22:1)

"I am thirsty." John 19:28

"It is finished." John 19:30

"Father, into Your hands I commit My Spirit." Luke 23:46

Jesus made seven last statements from the Cross before His death.  These statements made by Jesus revealed His humanity but also revealed He is truly God. Most important, these seven last statement of Jesus captured the last moments of all that Jesus went through to gain our forgiveness from sin. At the Cross, Jesus fulfilled His divine purpose to become a ransom for humanity (Mark 10:45).  Jesus experienced God’s wrath for the sins of humanity.  On the cross, Jesus was not a criminal nor a victim, but a humble Servant obeying God’s redemptive plan to save the world of their sins.  In return for His death, Jesus asks everyone to love and care for each other in obedience to His command to love one another (John 13:34; John 15:12, 17).

Jesus and the Old Testament

Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Matthew 5:17-18 (NIV). 

 

Jesus did not end the Old Testament nor eliminate God’s revelation found in the Old Testament (see Luke 24:27; Luke 24:44). Instead, Jesus came to fulfill the Law, the Writings and the Prophets of the Old Testament.  Jesus completely and perfectly obeyed the teachings of the Old Testament (e.g., see Matthew 1:22; Matthew 2:15, 17, 23).  In fact, Jesus is the full realization of the Law, the Prophets and the Writings (Luke 24:44).

Jesus’ statement in Matthew 5:17-18 makes clear His relationship to the Law of Moses and the Prophets.  The verses after Matthew 5:18 get more specific, contrasting Jesus’ teaching with many common interpretations of the Law and Prophets.  “You have heard that it was said…,” He begins, and then concludes, “But I tell you.…” Jesus revealed the true intent of the Old Testament, rather than its legalistic interpretations. 

Jesus is often called the “new Moses”, the “new Solomon”, and the “new Prophet”.  His teachings found in His Sermon on the Mount/Sermon on the Plain (see Matthew 5:1-7:29; Luke 6:20-49) explains what God truly expects of His people.  With His wisdom teachings (e.g., Matthew 11 - 13), Jesus becomes the new Solomon and the new Prophet with His many prophecies (e.g., Matthew 23 - 25).  Essentially, Jesus’ life and His teaching covers the entire Hebrew Old Testament and its three section (the Law, the Prophets and the Writings).