Possibly on Tuesday before Palm Sunday:
Jesus moved down the road to Jerusalem amongst the multitudes going south. As He traveled a young man pulled alongside asking about eternal life. First, Jesus rebuked Him for not giving due honor to God then proceeded to inform the young man that all his ways fell short for he was not fully given to God. The proof was that he was holding onto his money. He walked away grieved, for he was sure Jesus was going to commend him before the crowds for being outstanding, but rather he was exposed as imperfect.
Jesus’ disciples were aghast! If someone given to keeping the commandments all his life with only one vice could not be saved – who could? Jesus’ answer: “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible,” (Matthew 19:26). He then said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first,” (Matthew 19:28-30).
Jesus then told them a parable about a landowner and employees. The owner struck a deal with some workers at 6:00 in the morning to work all day for say, $50. At 9 AM he hired more to work the rest of the day also for $50. Then at noon and 3 PM more workers were hired all to paid the same if they finish out the day. Lastly, he hired others to work for just one hour and offered to also pay them $50. Come pay time, the owner paid to each laborer exactly what had been agreed upon.
A howl arose from those who had worked long when compared to those who labored only part of the day yet got the same pay. Jesus responded, “Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good? So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen,” (Matthew 20:15-16). Two points: to His disciples, don’t get competitive about what you are going to get in the next life thinking you will be a fat cat over there (in light of what He told them about sitting on thrones). And, those saved late in life will get all the good of heaven as those saved early in life. So the murderer who died next to Jesus will not be a second class citizen in heaven – NO. And Peter, James, and John will not be superior to others on the other side though they receive a hundredfold.
Again, Jesus talked of His death… Now Jesus, going up to Jerusalem, took the twelve disciples aside on the road and said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death, and deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock and to scourge and to crucify. And the third day He will rise again,” (Matthew 20:17-19). In this statement He added a couple of details. 1.) He would be handed over – betrayed – a near one, close one, a friend would turn on Him. 2.) He would not die by the Jewish method of stoning but on a Roman cross. In light of all the Heaven talk, the cross stood in the way. Without the cross, there would be no entrance into Heaven.
I wonder if He didn’t pull aside, away for the night, to the spot on the Jabbok stream where He had wrestled with Jacob some 2,000 years earlier (Genesis 32)? God there blessed Jacob by changing his name and his game. After the encounter, Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: “For I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.” (Genesis 32:30).
Jesus might have also spent a night in prayer and been reminded that after a great struggle, His life would also be preserved. Speculation, but not outside the realm of possibility.
a PK Musing 
Leave a comment