Holy Tuesday- Wednesday

The Tuesday and Wednesday before Jesus died on the cross, He spent a lot of time in the temple teaching the people.  Yesterday we learned that He turned the tables of the money changers inside the temple and that He began teaching the people.

Below is a diagram of the temple mount at the time of Jesus.




Today the temple mount looks like this:

When Jesus returns to Jerusalem the next day (Tuesday), and again begins teaching the people, He is approached by the chief priests and scribes (Mark 11:27).  Yesterday we observed that they were displeased with His actions and now they begin to question Him regarding His authority to teach and do such things.  In classic Jesus fashion, He responds not with a straightforward answer but with other questions and begins speaking to them in parables (Mark 12:1).  He continues to teach in the temple on Wednesday as well.

He speaks about the parable of the tenants, paying taxes to Caesar, is asked about the Resurrection, and the great commandment.  The Sadducees and Pharisees were attempting to "trip up" Jesus, and  they beginning plotting to kill Jesus Wednesday night.

Some believe that Mary anoints Jesus with precious nard on Tuesday of Holy Week, although this is sometimes disputed.

It is important to read the things that Jesus is teaching during these final days of His earthly ministry.  He knows He only has a few more short days, and these are His "final words" of sorts to the people in the temple.  We can learn much by studying the text of these teachings!