Paper 174 Overview: Tuesday Morning in the Temple

Jesus met with his apostles and followers at Simon's home in Bethany on Tuesday morning. He gave personal farewell advice to each of the twelve apostles before they departed for Jerusalem. Each message was tailored to the specific needs and character of each apostle.

On the way to Jerusalem, Jesus stopped with Peter, James, John, and Andrew to discuss forgiveness. He explained that divine forgiveness is always available because God understands us like a parent understands a child. Later at the temple, Jesus faced several groups trying to trap him with difficult questions, but he answered them with wisdom that amazed the crowds.

On Tuesday morning, Jesus met with the apostles, the women's corps, and about two dozen disciples at Simon's home. He said goodbye to Lazarus, giving him instructions that would soon lead him to flee to Philadelphia in Perea. Jesus gave each of the twelve apostles personal advice tailored to their individual character and needs.

After his personal messages to the twelve, Jesus departed for Jerusalem with Andrew, Peter, James, and John. The other apostles established a camp at Gethsemane, which would be their headquarters for the rest of Jesus' life. Halfway down the Mount of Olives, Jesus stopped to talk with the four apostles for more than an hour.

Peter and James had been discussing their different opinions about Jesus' teaching on forgiveness. Peter believed that repentance must come before forgiveness, while James thought the Father forgives even before we ask. They asked Jesus to clarify which view was correct.

Jesus explained that both apostles misunderstood the loving relationship between God and his children. He taught that divine forgiveness is always available because God perfectly understands his children, just as wise parents understand their children. Jesus said that when we truly understand others, we naturally love and forgive them, and this godlike ability to understand and forgive grows as we mature spiritually.

The night before, the Sanhedrin and other Jewish leaders had decided to try to discredit Jesus before arresting him. Several groups of learned men were assigned to trap Jesus with difficult questions in front of the crowds at the temple.

A group of young students asked Jesus if it was lawful to pay taxes to Caesar. Jesus asked them to show him a coin and then asked whose image was on it. When they answered "Caesar's," Jesus said, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's and render to God the things that are God's." Everyone was amazed at his wise answer that avoided the trap they had set for him.

Next, the Sadducees tried to trick Jesus with a question about the resurrection, which they did not believe in. They told a story about a woman who had been married to seven brothers in succession according to the law. They asked whose wife she would be in the resurrection.

Jesus told them they were mistaken because they did not understand the Scriptures or God's power. He explained that in the resurrection, people do not marry but are like angels. He reminded them that even Moses showed that the dead rise again because God called himself the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, adding, "He is not the God of the dead but of the living." The crowd was impressed, and even some Pharisees praised his answer.

A lawyer from the Pharisees then asked Jesus which commandment was the greatest. Jesus answered, "The first is: 'Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.' The second is: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."

The lawyer acknowledged Jesus had answered correctly, saying that loving God and neighbor was more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices. Jesus told him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." That night, this lawyer came to Jesus' camp, believed in the gospel, and was baptized. After this, no one dared ask Jesus any more questions.

Around noon, Philip was approached by a group of Greeks who wanted to see Jesus. Since Jesus had told the apostles not to engage in public teaching that week, Philip was unsure what to do. He brought Andrew, and together they took the Greeks to Joseph's home where Jesus was having lunch.

Jesus spoke to the Greeks about his mission and his coming death. He said that like a grain of wheat that must die to produce fruit, he must die to fulfill his purpose. Suddenly, a voice from heaven spoke, which the people thought was an angel. Jesus declared that he would soon leave them but would draw all people to himself when he was "lifted up." He then led everyone back to the temple for his farewell message to the Jewish leaders.