Tuesday's Teachings

Tuesday’s Teachings

Jesus entered the temple courts; and, while He was teaching,

the chief priests and the elders of the people came to Him.

“By what authority are you doing these things,” they asked.

“and who gave you this authority?”

Matthew 21:21-23

Jesus spent Tuesday of Holy Week teaching.  Matthew, Mark and Luke indicate that in the morning, Jesus taught in the Temple.  The people listened to stories that illustrated the coming of the kingdom of heaven.  The religious leaders kept interrupting with theological questions, with the hopes of trapping Jesus into saying something that they could throw back in His face.  Instead, “astonished by His answers, they became silent.”  [Luke 20:26]

That afternoon, as they were leaving the Temple, the disciples asked Jesus to talk with them privately about the issues that the Pharisees raised that morning.  What followed on the Mount of Olives was the wonderful discussion recorded in Matthew 23 and 24 regarding the times to come, the end of the age, and the signs of His return.

Jesus was just a few days away from His crucifixion and death.  Instead of thinking of Himself, however, His entire focus was on the twelve men who shared his life, and what the future held for them.   He urged them:   Be careful or your hearts will be weighed down with…the anxieties of life…”

That counsel applies to us today, as we live in a world that is overrun with anxiety and fear.  Jesus is always ready to have a conversation with you, to privately listen to your heart’s concerns.  When you pray today, sit for a moment and allow His compassion and care to pour over you. 

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What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear.

What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer.

O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,

All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations?  Is there trouble anywhere?

We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer.

Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?

Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.