Today’s Readings: Judges 1:1‐2:9, Luke 21:29‐22:13, Psalm 90:1‐91:16, Proverbs 13:24‐25

Luke 21: 37-38  And every day he was teaching in the temple, but at night he went out and lodged on the mount called Olivet.  And early in the morning all the people came to him in the temple to hear him.

This is the last day of Holy Week.  Luke 21:37-38 summarizes what Jesus was doing during the last week before his crucifixion.  What stands out to me is Jesus finishing strong in his ministry.  He continues to be others focused and to teach knowing his death is imminent.  For a more detailed lay-out of his final week, check out this article.

When I was in Israel, it was pointed out to me that during Holy Week, the population of Jerusalem would quadruple.  This forced Jesus and his disciples to stay in Bethany and later probably in a gethsemane (an olive press in the garden) on the Mount of Olives (which had many gethsemanes and gardens during the time of Christ – the text implies there may have only been one titled the Garden of Gethsemane).

I’ve included a picture of Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives.  The wall that you see on the temple mount has two filled-in gates through which Christ will enter through when he returns.  I’ve also included a picture of one of the parts of the olive garden that claims the name of the Garden of Gethsemane.

Apply: I want to run through every finish line that God gives me.  I want to be others focused.

What helps you remember to finish strong?