Matthew 26:2
‘As you know, the Passover is two days away-and the son of man will be handed over to be crucified.’
Looking at the scriptures after Palm Sunday (Matthew 21) you might notice Jesus has been teaching much more about what type of character traits His believers should begin to portray. He knew his time with them was drawing to a close and he still had so much to tell them He still used parables knowing the religious leaders were standing on the sidelines listening to every word.
He talks about having faith to move mountains as they would need that type of faith (Matthew 21:21)
He shares about the fact that while all are invited to come to Him, few will be chosen. (Matthew 22:1-14).
Still the Sadducee’s would listen to challenge and try to trip him in his words. Often they asked ridiculous questions, like this one; Who would a woman be married to in Heaven if she had been married to seven brothers and they each died. I can only imagine what Jesus is thinking as this is just a waste of the precious little time he has left on earth. He admonishes them again; “You are in error because you do not know the scriptures or power of God”. Matthew 22:29
Over and over Jesus shows his superior knowledge of Scriptures and makes them look foolish.
Finally, he asks them a question and stumps them. (Matthew 22:41-45) ‘While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, saying, “What do you think about the Christ? Whose Son is He?” They said to Him, “The Son of David.” He said to them, “How then does David in the Spirit call Him ‘Lord,’ saying: ‘The LORD said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, Till I put your enemies at your feet. If David calls him Lord, how can He be His son?’ No one could say a word in reply, and from that day on no one dared to ask Him any more questions.’
He went on teaching about what was to come in the end times, continuing to implore them to be ready for them in more parables; parable of the ten virgins and the talents in Matthew 25 and the parable of the sheep and goats in Matthew 25. He encouraged them to help others in need in Matthew 25:
Then…the religious leaders of that time had had enough! With their power over the people, and their cash flow hanging in the balance, they assembled, and hatched a devious plan to get rid of Jesus. The followers of Jesus were oblivious to how they were being manipulated. God was not! This was all included in His plan.
The feat of Passover was approaching. The chief Priest, Caiaphas wanted to kill Jesus, but not during the feast, he was afraid of a riot. Funny thing…that’s exactly what happened!
This year Passover began yesterday at sunset. Passover reminds the Jews of God’s faithfulness in ‘passing over’ all the Jewish homes that painted the blood of a lamb on the door posts. Ten severe plagues hit every home that did not have the blood painted over the door when the Jews were enslaved in Egypt..
This year as we remember Passover and the meaning it still holds for us today. We are blessed that we do not have to paint our doorposts with the blood of a sacrificed lamb so we can avoid the punishment we deserve for our sins. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was the sacrificed Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. May I suggest that you read the account of the Passover in Exodus Chapter 12.
Think about what Passover means to us today.
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