Readings for the week of 11/15-11/21/2009

Matthew           Mark           Luke           John

As the time arrives for the annual Feast of Tabernacles, held for eight days in late September & early October, Jesus apparently feels that he can once again journey safely to Jerusalem. This feast, along with Passover and Pentecost are mandatory for all males and it is a commemoration of the ancient wilderness journey, during which the Israelites had lived in tents. Accordingly, during the festival the people live in improvised booths made of tree branches.

Though some of Jesus’ brothers will later become leaders in the church, at this point they cannot bring themselves to believe that their brother is the Messiah. Almost tauntingly, it seems, they urge him to go up to Jerusalem to celebrate the feast. Jesus puts them off, however, perhaps realizing that their intentions for him are not sincere. Jesus decides to go quietly on his own.

When Jesus finally arrives in Jerusalem he will spend his time teaching and confronting the religious leaders who have assembled. It is a time of mixed feelings among the Jews. Some are busy trying to have Jesus arrested, while others are convinced by his teaching and miraculous works that he is the Messiah.

Jesus returns to Capernaum for the final two months of his Galilean ministry. He not only feels growing opposition from the people there who want a political leader, but also know that it is nearing the time for him to be delivered up. From this time forward, Jesus resolutely faces his final suffering. Making what amounts to a final appeal to the northern region, Jesus sends out 72 of his disciples, to whom he gives the power to heal in his name, with the mission of proclaiming the coming of his kingdom.

As Jesus proceeds down through Judea, he is apparently near Jericho when he tells the parable of the Good Samaritan, an illustration all the more remarkable in view of Jesus’ own rejection by the Samaritans just a short time before. Jesus will then travel to Bethany, visiting in the home of Martha and Mary, and later proceed to Jerusalem for the Feast of Dedication.

This is a time of transition for the Master. Initial excitement among the masses is followed by doubt and even hostility as Jesus refuses to accept the role that most people want him to play. In a way it is characteristic of the turnabout which inevitably comes when people accept Jesus into their lives for any number of wrong reasons: the excitement can give way to disappointment.