History is replete with plans that backfire. In fact, every one of us can think of plans that we’ve made only to see them set aside and forgotten or completely backfire on us. Last year a bank in South Africa had a great idea to detour people from breaking into their ATM machines. They installed an automatic pepper spray system equipped with cameras and censors. During the pilot phase of the project three technicians had to be taken to the paramedics after inhaling the irritant. Of course the accidents made the news, and now the crafty minded criminals they hoped to outwit are aware of their scheme.

As we prepare to celebrate Easter, we want to turn our focus towards the days that led up to Jesus Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection. We will post a daily reading this week. Read the scripture and the study help below, take some personal notes, pray through and meditate on what you have read, and comment [...]

And He said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer…

We do not have a clear record of the events that occurred on the Wednesday that preceded Jesus’ crucifixion. Tomorrow’s reading centers on the Last Supper. This meal was part of the Jewish Passover festival. During Passover Psalms 113 through 118 were sung. These Psalms collectively are called the Hallel. At the Passover, [youversion]Psalms 113-114[/youversion] were sung before the feast and Psalms [youversion]115-118[/youversion] after drinking the last cup. The song used by our Lord and the disciples on the night of the betrayal ([youversion]Matthew 26:30[/youversion]), just before the departure for the Mount of Olives, probably included Psalms 115-118.

If you have already read today’s portion of Scripture you may feel a bit overwhelmed with the amount of information contained therein. Realize that you are not alone. Packed within these chapters are several encounters between Jesus and the religious leaders of His day and a record of Jesus’ response to their questions and accusations. When you look at the content within chapter twenty it becomes apparent that these encounters revolve around the question of Jesus’ authority.

Today’s reading immediately follows a very significant prophecy made by Jesus. As He approached Jerusalem on Palm Sunday He wept over it because He knew that those living in its quarters were spiritually blind and that this blindness would eventually result in the destruction of the city and the leveling of the Temple (Luke 19:41-44). We know from historians that the Romans lay siege to Jerusalem in 70 AD and destroyed the Temple. Ironically, the next detail Luke gives us about Jesus’ last few days takes place in the outer courts of that very temple.