Put yourself in the sandals of those who had been following Jesus and learning from him. Three years ago you had a proper job. Who were you back then? Were you an outdoors type, maybe a fisherman? Were you more of an office worker, with pens, paper and calculations everywhere? Were you a widow, catching up with friends for a natter and sitting in the sun, looking after the grandchildren?
Whoever you used to be, you’re someone different now. Spending three years with Jesus changes you. There was something about him that you’d found irresistible, and you’d left everything to follow him. You’d travelled round the country as he’d taught and done things that had left you breathless, confused and sometimes scared witless.
Now there’s a funny feeling in the air. Recently Jesus has started going on about his having to die and some really far out stuff about coming back to life again. We’ve all come to Jerusalem for the passover festival but things are definitely a bit odd. A few days ago Jesus sent a couple of the lads to fetch a donkey which he’d ridden into the city. The crowds gathering for the festival had gone nuts, cutting branches off the trees, throwing clothes on the path, shouting out songs of the Messiah, of God’s rescuer. The powers that be hadn’t liked that one little bit.
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