When Jesus learned that Lazarus was sick, he delayed two more days. Why? By the time Jesus reached Lazarus' tomb, he had been in the tomb for at least three days. Mary and Martha would have already been back after the customary three days to permanently anoint his body. They knew Lazarus was dead. See the website writing A Biblical View of Holy Week for details on the importance of the three days. 

KJV says he “tarried”. How often when we are in distress and call out to God, does He “tarry” in His answer? But look at why He tarried. He tarried so that they would believe. Could He tarry with our answers to prayer to bring about an even deeper faith or that we may grow spiritually?

When Jesus was returning to raise Lazarus, the disciples knew that He was in danger by going there, yet they said they were willing to die with Him. What happened later when Jesus was arrested? Were they willing to die for Him then?

When Jesus saw them weeping over Lazarus, he was deeply moved in spirit. KJV says he “groaned in the spirit”. He was troubled not only because they were sorrowful, but also troubled that they didn’t understand the “cocoon”. We can equate our life on earth as the life of a “caterpillar”. It isn’t until we go into the “cocoon” of death and spend a time that we are able to emerge as beautiful “butterflies” in the resurrection. Too often we want to remain a worm! Stay tuned for Phil's newest book - Butterfly Living in a Caterpillar World.  Maybe next year....

When the Sanhedrin met, they were concerned about what Jesus was doing and wanted to stop Him. Notice what Caiaphas prophesied. Jesus avoided them after that and retired to Ephraim, a city sixteen miles northeast of Jerusalem on the borders of the wilderness. 

Jesus rebuked the disciples concerning the children. In fact, He was indignant! He said they should not hinder them. Does that tell us how Jesus feels about little children? Does that tell us how important is the teaching of children?

Even adults should enter into salvation with the innocence and faith of little children and with the temper and spirit of a child with a teachable, mild, and humble spirit, free from prejudice.

The rich young ruler had been keeping the old law, but Jesus is telling him there is more.
“Jesus looked at him and loved him”. Put your name in there. See how it sounds?

Love of possessions. Having wealth won’t keep you from heaven, making wealth your god, (instead of making Jesus your God will).

There is much debate on the camel and eye of the needle. Many think camel may have been mistranslated and it should have read rope instead of camel. It would be harder for a rope to go through the eye of a needle. Others think the eye of the needle was a small gate going into the Jerusalem wall. In order for a camel to get through this gate, all the baggage heaped upon the camel would have to be removed and the camel to go down on it’s knees to get through. This sounds like we must get rid of all the “baggage” of sin that we carry with us, or anything that hinders us and get down on our knees to enter heaven. Or Jesus may have meant it exactly as it is written, for a camel to go through the eye of needle, a profound and comical illustration.

Jesus tells the disciples they will sit on twelve thrones and judge the twelve tribes of Israel.

James and John, the sons of thunder, the bold and the loud, want Jesus to do whatever they ask of Him. They were thinking earthly. They were asking to be on either side of Him in His kingdom. How they must have felt to know about the two criminals on either side of Him at the crucifixion.

“…you will drink the cup I drink…”
Jesus is telling His disciples that “the cup” is His death and that they will also drink of “the cup”.

When blind Bartimaeus shouted out to Jesus to have mercy, Jesus asked him what he wanted. Jesus knew what he wanted! The man was blind! Jesus wanted him to ask. Just as God wants us to ask even though He already knows what we want before we ask Him.