Thursday, May 15 – Mark 11, John 12

1. What did Mary do that led Jesus to defend her? (John 12:1–8)
2. Besides Jesus, who else did many Jews want to see, and why? (John 12:9)

3. What did the chief priests decide to do? (John 12:10)

4. How was the donkey obtained for Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem? (Mark 11:1–11)

5. What happened the day after Jesus entered Jerusalem when He and His disciples were hungry? What lessons can you draw from this event? (Mark 11:12–14)

6. Upon entering the temple, what motivated Jesus to act in an uncommon way for Him? (Mark 11:15–17)

7. Who said they wanted to see Jesus, thus opening the door to evangelism to the Gentiles? Which disciples participated in the missionary communication? (John 12:20–22)

8. What truth did Jesus express about His true mission of sacrifice and death? What did He mean by being lifted up to draw all people to Himself? (John 12:23–36)

9. To which prophet did Jesus refer when declaring the Jews blind? (John 12:37–41)

In recent days, our study has followed the path of the Master’s parables and teachings. Today, we pause to reflect on events that occurred very close to the end of His earthly ministry.

Creating harmony among the four Gospels has been one of the most difficult tasks. Around A.D. 170, Tatian combined the four Gospel accounts into one narrative called the Diatessaron, the first known harmony of the Gospels. However, it could never be completely unified. Many have attempted this over the centuries, but some discrepancies in chronology and detail remain among the four evangelists. What matters most is knowing these accounts were inspired and written by different men at different times, each offering a unique perspective on the same divine portrait.

Regarding today’s narrative, there’s no universal agreement on the chronology of the final week before Christ’s passion. I have followed the Gospel accounts with the aid of The Desire of Ages. My primary reference has been John’s Gospel because he was with Jesus longer than the others and was one of His closest disciples. John is particularly detailed, often recording names, timelines, and even the number of fish in a miraculous catch.

According to this account, I believe the events unfolded as follows:

1. Jesus arrived in Bethany with His disciples Friday evening before His crucifixion week.

2. He spent the Sabbath day in Bethany.

3. After sunset, He attended a feast hosted by Simon the Pharisee, seemingly in gratitude for being healed of leprosy.

4. During the dinner, Mary anointed Jesus’ feet, prompting criticism and His defense of her.

5. The next day, Sunday, Jesus set out for Jerusalem, only a few miles away. Riding a donkey, He entered triumphantly amid shouts of “Hosanna!”

6. Surprisingly to people, He did not proclaim Himself king; rather, He wept over the rebellious city.

7. On Monday, He returned to Jerusalem. Along the way, He was hungry, and finding no fruit on a fig tree, He cursed it, teaching a lesson on the danger of hypocrisy.

8. Entering the temple that same morning, He cleansed it for the second time, driving out the merchants and animals. That day, He also debated with the scribes and Pharisees.

9. On Tuesday, passing by the same road, the disciples saw the fig tree completely withered.

10. That day, Jesus continued to teach, heal the sick, and engage in confrontations with the religious leaders.

We will pause our journey here and continue later with the following day’s events.

May you have a very blessed day.