The more I read the gospels, the more amazed I am at the controversy Jesus created at the end of His ministry. Up until that time, He had been content to travel the country and address the local religious leaders in small debates, but now, He enters Jerusalem almost demanding that the Pharisees step aside.

His entry into the city is met with crowds who create a spectacle. He then proceeds to attack the money changers in the temple and clear them out. Blind and crippled people enter the temple area to be healed by Him–those the religious leaders considered sinful and unclean.

Finally, Jesus tells stories of judgement specifically aimed at them. Not one example: three.

By the time He is done, I believe people understood that they were going to have to choose sides.

No wonder they killed Him.

That’s the level of commitment Jesus eventually asks of us. Follow Him, choose His side no matter the cost. Every week I read of men and women killed for their faith. I have not had to be one of them, but I respect them and try to mirror their commitment to Jesus.