March 30, 2026

GOD’S WORD FOR TODAY:

“When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city (meaning the leadership both of the Temple and of Rome) was stirred and asked, ‘Who is this?’ The crowds answered, ‘This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.’”

(Matthew 21.10-11)

TODAY’S REFLECTION ON GOD’S WORD:

What a way to start the week, right? It wasn’t enough that Jesus rode in astride a donkey (fulfilling prophecy), His disciples leading the way jubilantly (raising expectations), the crowd singing praises to Him loudly “Hosanna, Hosanna!”, the “whole city (that is the leadership)” stirred suspiciously but then He entered the gates amid thanksgiving and praise and took on the establishment vehemently. This was no simple dispute. This wasn’t some recognition of discomfort and “I wish you wouldn’t do this.” This was a full-blown declaration of judgment on the status quo which had been established by the Leadership, encouraged by the vendors, tolerated by the people and guarded by the Romans. It was something that Jesus had seen and recognized before since He was old enough to remember. When He was twelve years of age (and nearly thirteen), Jesus was taken to Jerusalem at Passover to complete His bar-mitzvah. When the feast was complete and Jesus had fulfilled the obligations of the ceremony of “becoming a man of God and Israel,” His parents and family and friends left to return to Nazareth. They would not stay the fifty days until Pentecost as many travelers did. Joseph had two businesses to tend to in Nazareth and in Capernaum. Mary would stay by her husband’s side as she always had except for the first trip during their betrothal when she went to see her cousin Elizabeth in Ein Karem. This trip back to Nazareth with Joseph might have been their last trip together as we will not hear of him except by name recognition when Jesus would return to Nazareth after His baptism and consecration in the wilderness. However, after a day’s journey they recognized Jesus was not with them. It took a day of worry to get them back to Jerusalem. It took a third day to finally find Him. Where did they find Him? He was sitting on the steps of the Temple talking with the Elders and the Teachers of the Law (see Luke 2). In a feeling of frustration, desperation and futility (Mary being concerned for His welfare and Joseph perhaps for the inconvenience of lost time), Mary asked Him, “Why have You treated your father and I so disrespectfully? Didn’t you think we would be worried?” Jesus replied, “Why were you worried? What’s the concern? Didn’t you know that you would find Me in my Father’s House?” Luke would reflect on that moment saying, “But they didn’t understand what He meant.” He then got up and obediently went with them back to Nazareth. The assumption is that the yearly pilgrimage continued. Jesus would have seen the state of the Temple in the succeeding years including the last one.

What made the difference in His response that last visit? Was it because it would be the last opportunity to make such a statement of authority? In light of the events about to transpire at the end of the week was Jesus so overwhelmed that enough was enough? Was this to be one of those exclamation points during the Passover Week that would set it apart from all others? In reading how Matthew described what happened next (Matthew 21.11-16), we might take our clue from Luke’s statement previously presented. Luke highlighted that “they” did not understand or comprehend what He said. Who might “they” be? We obviously can read the immediate application of “they” to His parents. How strange that “they” would not grasp the meaning of His words as a transition of thinking from earthly to kingdom decisions. Mary keeps these things in her heart. We are already exposed to a number of entries into her heart’s journal. Because of that, I am not totally sold on limiting “they” to Jesus’ earthly parents not understanding Jesus is no longer their little boy and now a “man of God.” That would mean that “they” could also be directed to the Elders and the Teachers of the Law with whom He had been visiting for three days. Did you just ask yourself the “parent” question? What did Jesus do for three days at the Temple? Where did He sleep? What did He eat? Yes, there is a foreshadowing of “three days in the tomb” just as we know of Jonah’s three days in the belly of a great fish. The emphasis is on the conclusion of the three days and not the existing for three days. When His parents found Him, He was “listening and asking questions.” Jesus was demonstrating maturity beyond those of his age. He was not just hearing what was said. He was listening. He was not merely “keeping these things in His heart” but listening for understanding. That means He was asking questions. All those who normally gathered on the steps of the Temple in such learned company rarely asked questions. They just listened to the conversation between those “who knew the things of God.” They may have discussed the events of the day, the signs of the times and perhaps consider questions that someone might offer cautiously. Jesus wasn’t being cautious but respectful. His inquiries showed a depth of knowledge which in Nazareth would later elicit a “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son?” response. If the “they” reflected, or included, those people, too, what might we hear? Would it be that they did not understand the full theological impact of “Wouldn’t you expect to find Me at work in My Father’s House?” They were impressed by His knowledge and skill of debate and inquiry. They did not see the future impact of His search for meaning or the opportunity to “teach the teacher.” They certainly did not see the Messiah and future King of kings. Now twenty years later, did they continue to suffer from the same “lack of understanding”?

But Matthew’s version of the Temple declaration with emphatic meaning and purpose did bring about a different response from those same Elders and Teachers of the Law (as the priestly cohort who oversaw what was happening, no doubt.) Still, Jesus did not disappear from the moment as we see in other gospel renderings. In Matthew, the lame and blind come to be healed and He accommodates them. The children play, dance and sing “Hosanna” repeating the song begun on the road leading up to and through the Eastern Gate. (Is Matthew also remembering a time before when Jesus was questioned about John the Baptizer and He compared them to such children? See Matthew 11.17f) They were indignant at His teaching and the “object lessons” which now commanded the attention of the peoples. They were no longer the central focus of “Our Father’s House.” The transition of true authority was in full swing. There was no turning back now. Jesus knew it. The disciples knew it. The “whole city” feared it because the people liked it. Something was going to happen. We know the rest of the story, but they did not. This was only the beginning of the week of what would happen in “My Father’s House.” Jesus was about to “bring the House down.”

TODAY’S PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING:

Father, in these days we are finding the need to believe even more than ever before. We all have known trouble, some in greater ways than others, but You are offering us the assurance that we will not be consumed by it forever. Regardless of the “time” we are in and the “time” we have been given, we ask for Your Holy Spirit which Jesus asked You to share with us, to lead and guide and direct us in the paths we should go. Teach us what we still need to learn. Empower us to put that learning into action. Bless our actions not as a works righteousness but as righteous works of faith, hope and love in Jesus’ name. AMEN.