Slideshow image

Its Tuesday and Jesus is teaching His disciples a lesson on faith from a withered fig tree. As they walk into the temple the religious leaders immediately start challenging His authority (remember, He had recently cleared out the temple grounds). He warns them not to reject Him - the promised Messiah (Matt. 21:45; “... they knew he was talking about them....”).

The religious leaders then try to trap Jesus in a series of questions. He silences them and responds to the commonly asked question of which commandment is greatest by saying to love God and love others.

The attacks continue and Jesus ends His time at the temple in by saying, “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will not see Me again until you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. (Matthew 23:37-39)’”

He walks to the Mt. of Olives and shares His last sermon in the book of Matthew (there are 5 sermons or discourses in the book) called the Olivet Discourse. He speaks of the end of the world and great judgment coming upon Israel. He also talks about the return of the King (Himself). Approximately 4 decades later the Romans would completely destroy Jerusalem and rip the temple to the ground. Jesus’ time was drawing to a close - soon the religious leaders would implement their plans to have Him killed.