Day 35 – Lenten Devotional
LENTEN DEVOTIONAL – DAY 35 – MONDAY, APRIL 15, 2019
Jesus Enters His Passion Week
Matthew 21:8-9 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest!”
It may surprise you to know that of the roughly 3 ½ years, or 42 months, or 182 weeks of Jesus ministry reported in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, that each of them devotes a great portion of their writings to the last 1 week! Consider the following Biblical statistics:
| Matthew | Mark | Luke | John | |
| Total Chapters | 28 | 16 | 24 | 21 |
| Chapters on last week | 8 | 6 | 5.4 | 9.8 |
| Total verses | 1,071 | 678 | 1,151 | 879 |
| Verses on last week | 389 | 253 | 286 | 332 |
| Percent devoted to last week | 36% | 37% | 25% | 38% |
Total of 33% or 1,260 verses of the 3,779 verses in the 89 chapters of the four Gospels are devoted to the last week; from Jesus triumphal entry into Jerusalem to His resurrection…the Passion Week!
Jesus ministry began with his baptism, then the temptation, He chose His disciples, preached the gospel, exhibited compassion, performed miracles (of healing, nature and exorcisms), taught (theology, law, morals), defended Scripture, confronted erroneous doctrine, prayed, and made disciples (taught, encouraged, rebuked, loved); all of which we can learn much. However, the focal point of the work of Christ is highlighted by the Gospel writers in the last week of Jesus triumphal entry, cleansing of the Temple, His last parables and teaching, the last supper, the upper room farewell, betrayal of Judas, and especially Jesus sacrifice on the cross, burial in the tomb, and His glorious resurrection.
Jesus rode into Jerusalem in an unexpected way fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9; “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation, Humble, and mounted on a donkey, Even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” The King of kings did indeed ride into Jerusalem, not a worldly king expected to deliver the people from Roman oppression, but the King who would deliver His followers from sin and death! Do you want to know the King of kings? Listen to the short but inspiring message of Dr. S.M. Lockridge on YouTube [click here-“That’s My King”] and share!
REFLECT: When the Gospel writers inspired by the Holy Spirit record the life of Christ and place an enormous weight on the last week that should tell you something. Consider who your King really is and what He came to do.
REPENT: Change your ways. King Jesus shows you in the last week what truth and sacrifice and new life really mean. Humble yourself before the Lord as you ingest Him in His Kingship of your heart. Confess your sins and nail them forever to the 2,000 year old cross of Christ.
RESTORE: One-third of the Gospels are about the Passion Week of Jesus. Take some time this week to read what they have to say. The pinnacle of God’s plan is written in His word of the King who died and rose again to save you from the oppression of sin and raise you from your walking dead existence to new life! Follow your King!
Psalm 103:11-12 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.
Blessings,
Pastor Tom Bellhy