Jesus' life is starting to run down.
He kept telling His followers that His time was limited... and now the phrase "days are numbered" means so much more.
There is the ride into the city. Palm Sunday tribute and cheering from all the people. They want Jesus to be their King - conquering all the peoples that are against them. But Jesus isn't that kind of King.
To make it more confusing Jesus knew the end was near. He knew the plan and that His years were nearly over. But with the swell of support, it had to be tempting to be the King.
But Jesus knew one thing that was hard for the people to comprehend. He was the King.
After the ride, He did all He could in the few days allotted Him, and ended with a solemn dinner with His friends. He tried one last time to get through to them that there was a plan, and although the 12 were part of it, they would not be able to control it.
Judas was the most tragic because he had already decided to betray his friend. Judas was misguided and didn't see the big picture till it was too late.
Peter was secure that Jesus was his special friend and was surprised when Jesus told Peter of his imminent betrayal. Yet Peter betrayed Him anyway.
After dinner there was prayer, arrest, trial and death. None of this was unexpected to Jesus and He accepted His fate. Everyone else thought they could change things. But no one was able to cancel the plan or deter the will of God.
(note: Let this be a lesson to us. If God wouldn't change His plan to save His own Son, why do we think He will change it for us?)
So the same people who were singing "hosanna" on Sunday were yelling "Crucify Him!" less than a week later. Ever been in a mob or at an interactive Passion Play? It is really easy to just get sucked into the crowd mentality, especially if you will be punished, beaten or killed if you try to object.
