3 Things Jesus Did in the Days Leading Up to His Crucifixion

It can be argued that Jesus always acted purposefully. However, the events leading up to his death seem to have taken on greater significance. He was fully aware of the impending climax of his earthly ministry, and these acts often had deep symbolism and theological significance.

Jesus did many things in the days leading up to his crucifixion. Here are five of them that are very important:

1. The cleansing of the temple and the curse of figs

(Matthew 21:1-22; Mark 11:1-26; Luke 19:28-48)

This event might be called a “triumphal entry,” but the way the gospel writers narrate it, it seems anything but triumphant. If you read the Psalms of Solomon, a non-biblical Jewish text, you get a glimpse of the Messianic expectation. This is what they expected Christ to do when he sat on his throne:

“Behold, O Lord, and appoint over them their king, the son of David, at the time known to You, O God, to reign over Your servant Israel. And bring him with power to crush oppressive rulers and cleanse Jerusalem from the Gentiles who trample it to destruction. With wisdom and justice, he will drive sinners out of the inheritance. He will crush the pride of the sinner like a potter’s jar. He will crush all their possessions with a rod of iron. He will destroy the unbelieving nations with the words of his mouth.

Jesus Christ, on the contrary, enters on a donkey. In Mark’s narrative, this entry is strongly anti-climactic. Jesus arrives there and there is no one in town. They leave for the morning. Then his first task is to curse a fig tree. Soon after, he kicks all the money changers out of the temple. This is shocking because the Messiah was expected to cleanse the kingdom of unbelieving pagans. Why is he looking for religious leaders?

The curse of figs is linked to the cleansing of the temple. Both are indictments of the temple system and corrupt religious leaders. The fig tree promised fertility, but in reality it was of no use. The temple system, as Jesus shows us, was similar – outwardly beautiful, inwardly utterly corrupt.

2. Anointing in Beit Aniya

(Matthew 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9; John 12:1-8)

It’s not technically what Jesus did, but rather what was done to him. In Bethany, a woman (called Mary in the Gospel of John) anointed Jesus with precious perfume. This act of sacrifice and devotion was criticized by some of the disciples, but Jesus defended him and recognized it as a preparation for his burial (Matthew 26:12).

The Gospel writers also intentionally hide the religious leaders in the background. It’s a beautiful contrast. Maryam breaks this precious perfume container. It was his most prized possession—but now he’s found someone even more valuable. He breaks his treasure to give it to Jesus.

But religious leaders are the opposite. They plot to kill Jesus. As that marble vessel was broken on the ground, the religious leaders wished they could do the same to Jesus. And this is what the idolatrous heart always does – it sacrifices Jesus to an idol. A redeemed heart does the opposite—it sacrifices idols for Jesus.

Here is an action from Jesus Christ. He is accepting worship. This is deep. Worship was reserved only for God. By allowing this expression of worship, Jesus rightly takes his place as the object of our affection.

3. The Last Supper

(Matthew 26:17-30; Mark 14:12-26; Luke 22:7-23; John 13:1-17)

N.T. N.T. Wright once said: “When Jesus himself wanted to explain to his disciples what his imminent death was about, he did not give them a theory, but gave them a meal.”

It’s amazing to me that in the Gospel of Luke, Jesus says, “Before I suffered, I longed to eat this Passover with you.” To wish eagerly expresses a strong desire. This is his last night. And he wants to be with his friends. Certainly, we see his humanity here. She loves the men she has spent this time with. And Passover was an image and a celebration of God’s salvation.

Jesus Christ was sitting next to this table with his disciples whom he loved very much. Certainly, the boy who was present at the original Passover now sees its fulfillment. No longer a shadowy figure, but now the Lamb of God will shed His blood for mankind – pictured in the same disciples around the table.

That’s why he’s excited. Yes, it is a time of suffering. But this time there is good news. It is for the joy that lies before him that he will bear this barbaric cross.

I also can’t help but think about those men around the table. Jesus knows their future. In just a few moments, they fall asleep in the time of Jesus Christ’s greatest need. She knows that Peter is only hours away from betraying her. Other students will turn away. He will be abandoned by those who will share this meal with him.

He knows all the ups and downs of their ambiguous obedience. Peter will be a hypocrite. But he will also have time to “get it” completely. He will see all the failures and falls and stupid things they will do until they die. But his focus at that moment is on food. The importance of this meal will overcome all their weaknesses and rebellion.

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