The First Holy Week was JAM-PACKED!

We hardly ever hear the full story of what happened between the time Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday and the Last Supper on Holy Thursday. You have probably heard all of the pieces at some time. But reading the synoptic Gospels completely provides a fascinating account of this time. It's hard to imagine that all this happened in a matter of days and hours!

In Mark, Holy Week is described from Mark 11 through Mark 14. In Matthew, it is chapters 21 through 26. In Luke, it is chapters 19 through 22.

So, after Jesus enters Jerusalem, what happens next? According to Matthew and Luke, that is when Jesus cleanses the temple! Nice! (In Mark, he at least waits a day, maybe two).

Fun fact: This was the time of year many Gentiles came to Jerusalem. The temple area that was cleansed was the outer area that was intended to be the space for Gentiles to worship. Instead it was occupied by money changers and vendors. Thus, some scholars say the temple was cleansed because the vendors and money changers were interfering with the visiting Gentiles' ability to worship.

Over the next few days, Jesus goes back and forth between Jerusalem (where he is primarily at the temple) and Bethany or the Mount of Olives. According to Luke (Lk 21:37-38) "during the day, Jesus was teaching in the temple area, but at night he would leave and stay at the place called the Mount of Olives. And all the people would get up early each morning to listen to him in the temple area." During these travels, one day he curses a fig tree. Oddly memorable.

Over the next four days, what did Jesus preach about in the temple? He preaches in parables about: the two sons, the tenants, the faithful and unfaithful servant, the ten virgins, the talents. He preaches about the poor widow's contribution and the greatest commandment.

Of course, he did not go unchallenged. His authority is questioned by the scribes and pharisees. They are the ones who question him about taxes ("give unto Caesar..."), the resurrection, and who he is.

And further in the category of winning friends and influencing people, after cleansing the temple and being questioned, he denounces the scribes and pharisees. He also preaches about the judgment of nations. And, he tells the disciples about the future (destruction of the temple, the future deceivers and tribulations, the second coming).

Imagine all of this happening over just four days!

And then, Wednesday night, they all retreat again to Bethany. While they are there, this is when Jesus is anointed by the woman with the costly perfumed oil. Judas famously objects, is reprimanded, and then goes off to the Chief priests to betray Jesus.

The next day they go and prepare for the last supper, and in the next 24 hours he is arrested, "tried", scourged, and crucified.

All for you and me.