The rest of the week was spent in controversy. The crowds would gather and I had to confront the policies of the temple leadership. I told the parable of the tenants who refused to pay their rent and who mistreated and even killed the messengers of the owner. Finally, he sent his son, but, even the son they killed. The owner had only one choice – he had to remove those tenants. These were the Jerusalem leaders and they knew I had spoken the parable about themselves.

The battle lines were set and the crowds were in the middle. Their size and enthusiasm worried these leaders and, although they feared the crowds, the need to kill me grew greater each day. The course ahead was inevitable. I could see the Father’s hand and all that he had revealed to me about what would happen in Jerusalem. I could only withdraw with my disciples and prepare for the Passover Supper.