Bold Action-Then Lifesaving Teachings

Upon arriving at the temple on Monday, Nisan 10, Jesus acts on what he saw the preceding afternoon. He starts 'to throw out  those selling and buying in the temple, and he overturns the tables of the money changers and the benches  of those selling doves; and he does not let anyone  carry a utensil  through the temple.' Condemning the wrongdoers, he declares:   "Is it not written, 'My house will  be called a house of prayer for all the nations'? But you have made it a cave of robbers."-Mark 11:15-17.  

Jesus' actions reflect  what he did three years before when he visited the temple at the Passover  of 30 C.E.   The denunciation, however, is more pungent this time. The merchants in the temple  are now referred to as "robbers."  (Luke 19:45, 46;  John 2:13-16)  They are such because they demand such exorbitant  prices from those who need to buy animals for sacrifice.  The chief priests, scribes ,and principal ones of the people hear about  what Jesus is doing and again seek ways to have him killed. Yet, they do not know how to eliminate Jesus, since all  the people, being astounded at his teaching are hanging onto him to hear him. -Mark 11:18; Luke 19:47, 48. 

As Jesus continues teaching in the temple, he declares:  "The hour has come for the Son of man to be glorified."   Yes, he knows that he has only a few days of human life left. After relating how a grain of wheat must die in order to bear fruit-corresponding to his own dying and becoming a means to impart everlasting life to others-Jesus extends  an invitation to his listeners, saying"  "If anyone would minister to me, let him follow me, and where I am there my minister will be also. If anyone would minister to me, the Father will honor him." -John 12:23-26.

 Thinking about his agonizing death that is only four days away, Jesus continues:  "Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say?  Father, save me out of this hour." But what awaits Jesus cannot be avoided.  "Nevertheless" he says,"this is why I have come to this hour."   Indeed, Jesus is in agreement with the entire arrangement of God.  He is determined to let the divine will govern his actions down to his sacrificial death. (John 12:27) What an example he set for us-one of full submission to the divine will! 

Being deeply concerned about how his Father's reputation will be affected by his death, Jesus prays: "Father, glorify your name."  To the amazement of the crowd gathered at the temple, a voice comes out of heaven, proclaiming   "I both glorified it and will glorify it again."  The Great Teacher uses this opportunity to tell the crowd why the voice has been heard, what the consequences of his death  will be, and why they need  to exercise faith.  (John 12:28-36) The last two days certainly have been action-packed for Jesus.  But a crucial day is yet ahead. 

Next time: The Day for Denunciations

From the Watchtower magazine,2000