HOLY WEEK cartoons - Monday through Wednesday

LIKE A THIEF IN THE NIGHT

Jesus’ teaching about “the thief in the night” is found in Matthew 24:42-44 and Luke 12:39-40. It is a warning to people to stay ready for his return.

In Matthew 24, Jesus compares his second coming to a thief in the night. Unpredictable; no RSVP, so you don’t prepare for him unless you’re vigilant. Don’t slack off thinking you’ve got time.

This is all about urgency. Earlier in Matthew 24, he’s just described wars, famines, and chaos—signs, but not a timetable. Do not obsess over date, but focus on being right with God. 1 Thessalonians 5:2 echoes it: “The day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.”

THE PARABLE OF THE TALENTS Mt 25:14-30

Jesus tells about stewardship, responsibility, and what we do with what God gives us.

Here’s the story:

A rich man gives to three servants a large amount of money, each according to their ability.”

  • The first two trade and double their stash—five becomes ten, two becomes four.

  • The third guy, scared of screwing up, buries his talent.

When the master returns,

he praises the first two: “Well done, good and faithful servant! You’ve been faithful with a few things; I’ll put you in charge of many.”

The third guy admits he hid it, blaming the master’s harshness. The master is angry—calls him lazy, takes the talent, gives it to the five-talent guy, and tosses him out.

This should be a wake-up call:

God’s watching how we handle life. It’s not about equal gifts—five, two, one differ—but equal accountability.

Of course, I have plenty of Holy Week cartoons to share as Jesus enters the Temple and becomes furious that it has become more of a marketplace than a place of worship.

So, Jesus clears the temple

by driving out merchants and money changers, accusing them of turning it into a "den of robbers" instead of a house of prayer. This event is described in all four gospels.

Later that same day, JESUS CURSED THE FIG TREE

to illustrate Israel's spiritual barrenness and lack of faith, as this tree bore no fruit despite having leaves. This event serves as a warning about the consequences of unfruitfulness in faith.

HOLY WEEK Lessons From Jesus

After Palm Sunday, and with Jesus knowing Friday was coming, you think he would take a few days of R&R. The upcoming betrayal and brutal crucifixion were not a surprise to Him. This was part of God’s plan for saving sinful man.

But instead, Jesus was busy this whole week teaching truths to people hungry for truth.

HERE ARE A FEW EXCERPTS FROM THE TEACHING LIFE OF JESUS, THOSE LAST DAYS BEFORE HIS CRUCIFIXION

These are a few moments from Jesus' life,

recorded during that first Holy Week, showing that Jesus did not let his mind spin with thoughts of his impending crucifixion. Our Lord focused on making these final moments matter. The few teachings I have listed above are cornerstone lessons and truths that have been shared for the last 2000 years.

Think of it, if Jesus had taken a few days of R&R instead of being busy about obedience to the Father, these lessons would have been sorely missed.

May we all learn to be faithful in every stage and event of our lives. We need to be IN THE GAME active and serving Him even when we think we deserve a little (or lot) of R&R.

Blessings, Jeff

  • EVIL TENNANT FARMERS, Matthew 21:33-46, a warning about stewardship, rebellion, rejection of God’s messengers

  • STONE THE BUILDERS REJECTED, Matthew 21:42. Build your life on Him. Make Jesus the cornerstone

  • THE WEDDING FEAST, Matthew 22:1-14. Don’t ignore or excuse away God’s invitation

  • GIVE TO CAESAR what is Caesar’s, AND TO GOD what is God’s”. Mt 22:21. Give Caesar his taxes, but your heart to God

  • THE WIDOW’S GIFT Luke 21:1-4, Jesus teaches us about true generosity. where a poor widow’s small gift in her poverty is greater than that of those who give out of their prosperity.

Note: In my opinion, not much has changed today. The big-money givers are given honor, while those who give from limited means go unnoticed. But truly God knows.