Passion Week: Monday - Confrontation

The Passion of the Christ. © Icon Productions

Jesus then returned from Bethany Monday morning beginning a day of Confrontation.  First He cursed the fig tree for making a splashy show of leaves but not having any fruit for He was hungry.  This was an enacted parable for the Temple cleansing that immediately pursued (this is actually the 2nd Temple cleansing in Jesus' ministry).  

Jesus overturned tables and disrupted the profiteering scheme set up in the temple.   Why?  Money changers were charging usurious rates.  Animals for sacrifice were being sold in the Court of Gentiles.  A toll road was being operated through the temple grounds.   Jesus decried profiteering from God's relationship  and thus rebuked them, reminding them of Isaiah that the Temple was supposed to be a House of Prayer for all Nations.  This event crystallized the religious leaders plot to kill Jesus. Later in the day, Greeks approach Jesus disciples asking to see Jesus. When they told Him, Jesus began talking about how the time had come for the Son of Man to be lifted up, for the inclusion of the Gentiles was to occur only via access through the cross when the sins of all mankind had been paid for. Jesus spoke of His glorification through death. That night, Jesus returned to Bethany