I went straight to the temple. It was late and few were selling and buying. That will wait for another day. The goal had been achieved. All the people knew I was here. Everything had been public – my acclaim, the complaints of the Pharisees, and the chants about my relationship to King David.

The apostles were ecstatic. They had accompanied me on the road to this Jerusalem stage and were enjoying the limelight. When this scene becomes the world’s greatest tragedy, they will try quickly to get off the stage, much to their own shame.

My death is close but they fail to see the ominous signs. They look at the crowds. I look at the leaders. They see the enthusiasm. I see the plotting and realize that the heavy hand of suffering and death will soon fall upon me. The die is cast. The secrecy has been removed. I must obey the Father. My teaching this week will confront the temple leaders and they will know that I am talking about them.