"Come and Follow Me!" by Pastor Steve

Holy Tuesday sees a lot of activity and events with Jesus and his followers.

One of the most surprising to me is that Jesus and his followers get up early on Tuesday morning and head to Jerusalem where Jesus steps into the Temple courtyard – where the rabbis all gather and teach – and he teaches as a spiritual authority.

Just yesterday, Holy Monday, Jesus was in the temple courtyard and turned over the tables of the dishonest money changers and he drove out all the animals that were not worthy of sacrifice.

Remember, those dishonest money changers and other vendors were not in it just for themselves. The temple priests were taking a BIG percentage of what was sold each day. I imagine they were furious and outright angry with Jesus for stopping their income stream.

Can you imagine the discussion around the breakfast table on Tuesday morning? There was amazement. There was pride for being part of Jesus’ disciples. Probably a few high fives as the guys got to the table and sat down in front of their pancakes and bacon – well, fruit.

Then it changed. Jesus told the plans for the day. “We are going back to Jerusalem as I have business at the temple, today.”

Mark 11:27-33

They arrived again in Jerusalem, and while Jesus was walking in the temple courts, the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders came to him, “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you authority to do this?”

Jesus replied, “I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or from men? Tell me!”

They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ But if we say, ‘From men’ . . .” (They feared the people, for everyone held that John really was a prophet.)

So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.”

Jesus said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”

I am a little confused by this conversation.

Yesterday, the priests and pharisees were angry how Jesus pointed out the corruption in the temple marketplace. How Jesus was truly pointing out the corruption in the church leadership – the priests and the pharisees.

And today, they approach Jesus with a question. I was expecting stones and spears and the temple guard.

Jesus could have entered Jerusalem through the back door. There are eight gates into the city and he could have chosen any gate that would have gotten him less attention.

Jesus could have found an area in the city of Jerusalem to teach that might not have been seen by the priests and the pharisees.

He could have kept on the move through the city teaching, healing, loving, forgiving, and redeeming so the temple guards wouldn’t have been able to catch him.

After all, Jesus knew all this was going to end with his arrest. He knew he was about to be handed over to the authorities and wrongly convicted of crimes he didn’t commit. Jesus knew all this was going to end with him on a cross.

And still, his earthly mission was not complete.

In the crowds that were gathering for the Passover Feast in Jerusalem, there were souls crying out . . . souls looking for their Messiah. And Jesus wanted to meet them right where they were.

Perhaps today is your Holy Tuesday, as well.

Are you lost in the crowds of life, searching for happiness, comfort, or that peace the world has promised you?

Are you wandering through the crowds of life listening to this music, that news report, or a friend’s advice that didn’t even work for their own family?

Once Jesus had that quick conversation with the priests, he turned to those following him into the temple courtyard and began to teach them all about Father’s love and what eternity is really like. Jesus knows that YOU are in the crowd, seeking someone or something to make you feel worthy, again.

Let this become your Holy Tuesday.

Listen closely to what Jesus has to say to you. There isn’t a record of what Jesus said in the courtyard, that day. Is it because He is speaking directly to you and your heart and saying to you what you need to hear?

Is Jesus speaking forgiveness and deliverance into your soul on this Holy Tuesday.

I urge you to stop wandering. Stop right where you are and listen to the voice of Jesus speaking to you, calling to you, “Come and follow me.”