Sunday: The Plan to Apprehend Jesus — John 11:55-57
The Sanhedrin had already determined that Jesus must be put to death, but they were aware of His immense popularity. Jesus knew that the Jewish leaders sought to take Him into custody, but the Lord also knew His work was not yet complete, so He had withdrawn to the city of Ephraim (near the wilderness). Yet the leaders conspired, knowing that Jesus was likely to attend the annual Feast of Unleavened Bread in Jerusalem. They now planned to seize Jesus at the first opportunity.
Monday: The Anointing at Bethany — Matthew 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9; John 12:1-8
Mary let down her hair (something Jewish women never did in public), humbling herself and laying her glory at Jesus’ feet. She poured the fragrant spikenard out on the Lord’s head and feet, a costly perfume equal to a common laborer’s wages for a year! Here is the Jewish woman who heard Jesus’ words as she sat at His feet, and she must have listened! While His disciples didn’t comprehend that Jesus was soon to die, Mary knew this was her last chance to lavish love and worship on the Master prior to His suffering and death. There will always be those who criticize the cost of true worship, and seek to demean its importance.
Tuesday: The Plot to Kill Lazarus — John 12:9-11
Isn’t it awful that a man can be hated merely because God has miraculously blessed him? Such is the demonic treachery of an evil, prideful heart: it hates God and anything that is touched by God (John 15:18-19). The priests now plot to kill Lazarus because Jesus had raised him from the dead, and many were therefore putting their faith in Christ.
Wednesday: Entering Jerusalem — Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:28-40; John 12:12-19
This is the only time in Jesus’ life that He planned and took part in a public demonstration. By fulfilling the prophecy of Zecheriah 9:9, (the donkey upon which the Messiah rode was actually the royal animal of Jewish monarchs (see 1 Kings 1:32-33, 38-40)), Jesus indirectly proclaimed Himself King of the Jews. The fact that Jesus had now come openly into public view was a direct challenge to the Jewish leaders. To hold any significant control over the people, they must act quickly.
Thursday: Cursing a Fig Tree — Matthew 21:17-22; Mark 11:12-14, 20-26
Besides the drowning of demon-possessed swine, this is the only time that Jesus used His power to destroy something in nature. Why wasn’t His power used to restore the tree? First, Jesus used it as a lesson on failure, for Israel had failed to be fruitful for God. In the Prophets, the fig tree represented Israel (Jeremiah 8:13; Nahum 3:12; Hosea 9:10). Second, Jesus used it to teach about faith: His words, “Have faith in God” (Mark 11:22), mean to live in a constant attitude of trust and utter dependence on God.
Friday: Second Temple Cleansing — Matthew 21:12-16; Mark 11:15-19; Luke 19:45-48
After Jesus first cleansed the Temple, it wasn’t long before it was again operating for lucrative gain. After all, the priests also got their cut! A “den of thieves” is where thieves run when they want to hide. The place that should have been devoted to prayer, worship, and evangelism had again become corrupt.
Saturday: The Fruitful Grain — John 12:20-26
Jesus’ response holds a powerful truth for many sermons! At the heart of His statement is the fact that no one can be fruitful and remain comfortable! It is never easy to be planted and die so that we can be productive; our flesh fights against it. But losing our lives for His sake is the calling of every believer.