Short Article - Nisan 12 The Last Teaching

“See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction.” (Deut. 30:15)

Scriptures on Nisan Day 12 in Matthew 21:23 up to Matthew 26:5 can be divided into four parts: The main theme was the Lord Jesus’s powerful and wise teaching. It was almost like revisiting the circumstance when Moses spoke his parting words on life and prosperity versus death and destruction to the Israelites before he ascended to the peak of Pisgah to die. What Moses taught was revelation from God, while Jesus’s teaching was his own divine impartation.

Part 1 In the Temple Court (from Matthew 21:23 to end of chapter 22) – The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone, alluding to the fact that one day the Scribes and Pharisees would shudder in dismay to realize that the Lord Jesus whom they scorned and trampled upon is the Christ Savior, to whom all knees shall bow and all mouths confess as the Son of God.

Part 2 In the Temple Court – According to the entire chapter 23 of Matthew, Jesus foretold that as the consequence of rejecting him, the Scribes and Pharisees would be condemned, and the City of Jerusalem would be left desolate.

Part 3 On Mount Olives (Matthew chapters 24 & 25 & 26:1,2) When evening approached, the Temple was closed; on the way back to Bethany, in Matthew chapter 24, Jesus told his disciples the signs of the end of the age, and cautioned them to keep watch because no one knew about the day or hour the Lord would come.  In chapter 25, Jesus told the three parables regarding his return: The Parable of the Ten Virgins, the Parable of the Talents, and the Parable of the Sheep and Goats.  Everyone will be under judgment, without jury or reporters present, but with only two outcomes, eternal life or eternal damnation.  That said, Jesus for one last time foretold his own crucifixion, then returned with his disciples to the home of Simon, the leper, to stay for the night.  Nisan 13 began at supper.

Part 4 In the House of Caiaphas (Matthew 26:3-5) When the Temple was closed, the chief priests and elders of the people assembled in the house of Caiaphas, the high priest.  They plotted to arrest Jesus in some sly way and kill him because when they heard Jesus’s teachings in the Temple court, they knew Jesus was reprimanding them.  But their hearts were hardened, unyielding and not repenting.  With those words of severe criticism still grating on their ears, they became more adamant and determined than ever to resist and rid of Jesus.

Due to his faith and fear in God, Noah did all that the Lord had commanded him.  Let us pray that you and I will grow to fear God and resolve to carry our own crosses daily to follow Jesus.

Nisan 12 - Hymn for Meditation: 

The Old Rugged Cross

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXAqoZuYvyA