Nisan 14, After Sundown

Jerusalem is shrouded in the soft light of dusk as the full moon rises over the Mount of Olives. In a large furnished room, Jesus and the 12 are reclining at a prepared table. "I have greatly desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer," he says. (Luke 22:14, 15) After a while the apostles are surprised to see Jesus get up and put his outer garments to one side. Taking a towel and a basin of water, he begins washing their feet. What an unforgettable lesson in humble service!—John 13:2-15.

However, Jesus knows that one of these men—Judas Iscariot—has already arranged to betray him to the religious leaders. Understandably, he becomes very distressed. "One of you will betray me," he reveals. The apostles are highly grieved at this. (Matthew 26:21, 22) After celebrating the Passover, Jesus tells Judas: "What you are doing get done more quickly."—John 13:27.

Once Judas has left, Jesus introduces a meal to commemorate his impending death. He takes a loaf of the unleavened bread, expresses thanks in prayer, breaks it, and instructs the 11 to partake. "This means my body," he says, "which is to be given in your behalf. Keep doing this in remembrance of me." He then takes a cup of red wine. After saying a blessing, he passes the cup to them, telling them to drink out of it. Jesus adds: "This means my 'blood of the covenant,' which is to be poured out in behalf of many for forgiveness of sins."—Luke 22:19, 20; Matthew 26:26-28.

During that momentous evening, Jesus teaches his faithful apostles many valuable lessons, and among these the importance of brotherly love. (John 13:34, 35) He assures them that they will receive a "helper," the holy spirit. It will bring back to their minds all the things he has told them. (John 14:26) Later in the evening, they must be very encouraged to hear Jesus say a fervent prayer in their behalf. (John, chapter 17) After singing songs of praise, they leave the upper room and follow Jesus out into the cool late-night air.

Crossing the Kidron Valley, Jesus and his apostles make their way to one of their favorite places, the garden of Gethsemane. (John 18:1, 2) While his apostles wait, Jesus goes a short distance away to pray. His emotional stress is more than words can describe as he earnestly petitions God for help. (Luke 22:44) The very thought of the reproach that would be heaped on his dear heavenly Father if he failed is agonizing to the extreme.

Jesus has barely finished praying when Judas Iscariot arrives with a crowd carrying swords, clubs, and torches. "Good day, Rabbi!" says Judas, kissing Jesus tenderly. This is the signal for the men to arrest Jesus. All of a sudden, Peter slashes out with his sword and cuts off an ear of the high priest's slave. "Return your sword to its place," says Jesus as he heals the man's ear. "All those who take the sword will perish by the sword."—Matthew 26:47-52.

Everything happens so fast! Jesus is arrested and bound. In fear and confusion, the apostles abandon their Master and flee. Jesus is led away to Annas, the former high priest. Then he is taken to Caiaphas, the present high priest, to be tried. In the early hours of the morning, the Sanhedrin falsely charges Jesus with blasphemy. Next, Caiaphas has him taken to Roman governor Pontius Pilate. He sends Jesus to Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee. Herod and his guards mock Jesus. Then he is sent back to Pilate. Jesus' innocence is confirmed by Pilate. But the Jewish religious leaders pressure him to condemn Jesus to death. After considerable verbal and physical abuse, Jesus is taken out to Golgotha where he is mercilessly nailed to a torture stake and suffers an agonizing death.—Mark 14:50–15:39; Luke 23:4-25.

It would have been the greatest tragedy in history if Jesus' death had brought a permanent end to his life. Happily, that was not the case. On Nisan 16, 33 C.E., his disciples were amazed to find that he had been raised from the dead. In time, more than 500 people were able to verify that Jesus was again alive. And 40 days after his resurrection, a group of faithful followers saw him ascend to heaven.—Acts 1:9-11; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8.

Nisan 12 and 13

Jesus spends Nisan 12 quietly with his disciples. He realizes that the religious leaders desperately want to kill him, and he does not want them to hinder his Passover celebration the following evening. (Mark 14:1, 2) The next day, Nisan 13, people are busy making final arrangements for the Passover. Early in the afternoon, Jesus sends Peter and John to prepare the Passover for them in an upper room in Jerusalem. (Mark 14:12-16; Luke 22:8) A little before sundown, Jesus and the other ten apostles meet them there for their last Passover celebration.

"A Cave of Robbers"

JESUS had ample reason to say that greedy merchants had turned God's temple into "a cave of robbers." (Matthew 21:12, 13) To pay the temple tax, Jews and proselytes from other lands had to exchange their foreign money for acceptable currency. In his book The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah, Alfred Edersheim explains that money changers used to set up their businesses in the provinces on Adar 15, a month before Passover. Beginning on Adar 25, they moved into the temple area in Jerusalem to capitalize on the tremendous influx of Jews and proselytes. Dealers ran a thriving business, charging a fee for every piece of money exchanged. Jesus' reference to them as robbers suggests that their fees were so excessive that they were, in effect, extorting money from the poor.


Some could not bring their own sacrificial animals. Anyone who did so had to have the animal examined by an inspector at the temple—for a fee. Not wanting to risk having an animal rejected after bringing it a long distance, many bought a Levitically "approved" one from corrupt dealers at the temple. "Many a poor peasant was well fleeced there," says one scholar.


There is evidence that onetime high priest Annas and his family had a vested interest in the temple merchants. Rabbinic writings speak of "the [temple] Bazaars of the sons of Annas." Revenue from the money changers and from the sale of animals within the temple grounds was one of their main sources of income. One scholar says that Jesus' action in evicting the merchants "was aimed not only at the prestige of the priests but at their pockets." Be that as it may, his enemies surely wanted to do away with him!—Luke 19:45-48.

Nisan 11

It is early in the morning, and Jesus and his disciples are already on their way over the Mount of Olives to Jerusalem. As they arrive at the temple, the chief priests and the older men are quick to confront Jesus. Fresh on their minds is his action against the money changers and the traders in the temple. His enemies venomously demand: "By what authority do you do these things? And who gave you this authority?" "I, also, will ask you one thing," Jesus counters. "If you tell it to me, I also will tell you by what authority I do these things: The baptism by John, from what source was it? From heaven or from men?" Huddling together, the opponents reason: "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will say to us, 'Why, then, did you not believe him?' If, though, we say, 'From men,' we have the crowd to fear, for they all hold John as a prophet." Stumped, they weakly answer: "We do not know." Jesus calmly responds: "Neither am I telling you by what authority I do these things."—Matthew 21:23-27.

Jesus' enemies now try to trap him into saying something for which they can have him arrested. "Is it lawful," they ask, "to pay head tax to Caesar or not?" "Show me the head tax coin," Jesus retorts. He asks: "Whose image and inscription is this?" "Caesar's," they say. Confounding them, Jesus states clearly for all to hear: "Pay back, therefore, Caesar's things to Caesar, but God's things to God."—Matthew 22:15-22.

Having silenced his enemies with irrefutable argumentation, Jesus now goes on the offensive before the crowds and his disciples. Listen as he fearlessly denounces the scribes and the Pharisees. "Do not do according to their deeds," he says, "for they say but do not perform." Boldly, he pronounces a series of woes on them, identifying them as blind guides and hypocrites. "Serpents, offspring of vipers," Jesus says, "how are you to flee from the judgment of Gehenna?"—Matthew 23:1-33.

These scathing denunciations do not mean that Jesus is blind to the good points of others. Later, he sees people drop money into the temple treasury chests. How touching to observe a needy widow drop in her entire means of living—two small coins worth very little! With warm appreciation, Jesus points out that, in effect, she has dropped in far more than all who made lavish contributions "out of their surplus." In his tender compassion, Jesus deeply appreciates whatever a person is able to do.—Luke 21:1-4.

Jesus is now leaving the temple for the last time. Some of his disciples remark on its magnificence, that it is "adorned with fine stones and dedicated things." To their surprise, Jesus replies: "The days will come in which not a stone upon a stone will be left here and not be thrown down." (Luke 21:5, 6) As the apostles follow Jesus out of the congested city, they wonder what he could possibly mean.

Well, a little later Jesus and his apostles sit and enjoy the peace and quiet of the Mount of Olives. As they take in the splendid view of Jerusalem and the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew seek clarification of Jesus' startling prediction. "Tell us," they say, "When will these things be, and what will be the sign of your presence and of the conclusion of the system of things?"—Matthew 24:3; Mark 13:3, 4.

In reply the Master Teacher gives a truly remarkable prophecy. He predicts severe wars, earthquakes, food shortages, and pestilences. Jesus also foretells that the good news of the Kingdom will be preached throughout the earth. "Then," he warns, "there will be great tribulation such as has not occurred since the world's beginning until now, no, nor will occur again."—Matthew 24:7, 14, 21; Luke 21:10, 11.

The four apostles listen attentively as Jesus discusses other aspects of 'the sign of his presence.' He emphasizes the need to "keep on the watch." Why? "Because," says he, "you do not know on what day your Lord is coming."—Matthew 24:42; Mark 13:33, 35, 37.

This has been an unforgettable day for Jesus and his apostles. It is, in fact, the last day of Jesus' public ministry before his arrest, trial, and execution. Since it is getting late, they start walking back the short distance over the hill to Bethany.

to be continued...

Nisan 10

Jesus arrives at the temple early. Yesterday, he could not help but be incensed at the gross commercialization of the worship of his Father, Jehovah God. With great fervor, therefore, he begins throwing out those buying and selling in the temple. Then he overturns the tables of the greedy money changers and the benches of those selling doves. "It is written," Jesus exclaims, "'My house will be called a house of prayer,' but you are making it a cave of robbers."—Matthew 21:12, 13.

The chief priests, the scribes, and the principal men cannot stand Jesus' actions and public teaching. How they ache to kill him! But they are stymied by the crowd because the people are astounded by Jesus' teaching and they keep "hanging onto him to hear him." (Luke 19:47, 48) As evening approaches, Jesus and his companions enjoy the pleasant walk back to Bethany for a good night's rest.

Nisan 9

After the Sabbath, Jerusalem is abuzz with activity. Thousands of visitors have already converged on the city for the Passover. But the noisy commotion we hear is more than usual for this time of the year. Inquisitive crowds are rushing down narrow streets to the city's gateways. As they shove their way out of the congested gates, what a sight greets them! Many jubilant people are making their way down the Mount of Olives on the road from Bethphage. (Luke 19:37) What is the meaning of all of this?

Look! Jesus of Nazareth comes riding on the colt of an ass. People spread garments out on the road ahead of him. Others wave freshly cut palm branches and joyfully shout: "Blessed is he that comes in Jehovah's name, even the king of Israel!"—John 12:12-15.

As the crowd nears Jerusalem, Jesus looks at the city and is deeply moved. He begins weeping, and we hear him foretelling that this city will be destroyed. When Jesus arrives at the temple a short time later, he teaches the crowds and cures blind and lame people who come to him.—Matthew 21:14; Luke 19:41-44, 47.

This does not go unnoticed by the chief priests and the scribes. How vexed they are to see the marvelous things Jesus does and the jubilation of the crowds! Unable to conceal their indignation, the Pharisees demand: "Teacher, rebuke your disciples." "I tell you," Jesus replies, "If these remained silent, the stones would cry out." Before departing, Jesus notes the commercial activities in the temple.—Luke 19:39, 40; Matthew 21:15, 16; Mark 11:11.

to be continued...

A Week To Contemplate: Reliving Jesus' Last Days on Earth (1)

IT IS the seventh day of the Jewish month Nisan in the year 33 C.E. Imagine that you are observing events in the Roman province of Judea. Leaving Jericho and its lush foliage, Jesus Christ and his disciples are trudging up a dusty, twisting road. Many other travelers are also on their way up to Jerusalem for the annual Passover celebration. However, more than this tiring climb is on the minds of Christ's disciples.
The Jews have been yearning for a Messiah who can bring relief from the Roman yoke. Many believe Jesus of Nazareth to be that long-awaited Savior. For three and a half years, he has been speaking about God's Kingdom. He has cured the sick and fed the hungry. Yes, he has brought comfort to the people. But the religious leaders are chafing under Jesus' burning denunciation of them and are desperate to have him killed. Yet, there he is, walking purposefully up the parched road in front of his disciples.—Mark 10:32.
As the sun dips behind the Mount of Olives up ahead, Jesus and his companions reach the village of Bethany, where they will spend the next six nights. There to welcome them are their beloved friends Lazarus, Mary, and Martha. The evening provides cool relief from the hot journey and marks the start of the Sabbath of Nisan 8.—John 12:1, 2.

to be continued...

Dearest Hunny By Kuya Edward Tsang

In our 7 years of marriage this has been the longest time we have been apart. I know I have not been the best husband for you at times, I know that I have a lot of shortcomings and disappointments. I know that I could do better, a lot better. Not having you and the kids in the house for the past two months have given me a lot of time to think about the past, to reflect on my shortcomings, and I feel sorry that I have been such a disappointment to you and the kids.

I'm sorry that I made you mad right after our wedding. I did get the Mercedes Benz limo that I promised, but I'm sorry that I ditched the driver and insisted I drive the car after the ceremony, making you mad in the process. It's not everyday I get to drive a 600, see. And I paid good money for that too, so I'm entitiled.

I'm sorry that the 3-day Singapore honeymoon I promised you was spent riding around the city in their taxis. It's just that it was such a hoot having a Mercedes Benz for a taxi. I'm sorry too that the taxi was in almost every picture we took during the honeymoon.

I'm sorry you didn't like the name Mercedes for our daughter. I forgot the name you told me on the way to the nurses' station, and that was the only one I could think of right away. Tell her I'm sorry that up to this day she is still being called Chedeng by everyone.

I'm sorry you didn't like the name Becker for our son either, because like Mercedes, I forgot the name and was talking to pareng Jim about ordering a radio for the car when I got to the nurses station.

I'm sorry if we live beside a smelly creek and across a videoke joint, giving the kids sleepless nights and smelly days. But you must admit, 126 Mercedes St. is a cool address to have, right?

I'm sorry if I promised to add two more rooms to the house for the kids to study and play in and ended up reducing the living room and adding a 3 car garage instead. I promise to build the rooms on top of the garage as soon as I remove and sell the four-post lifters and lower the garage roof.

I'm sorry if you didn't like the half-cut Benz I welded onto the gate. I just didn't want what's left of the parts car to go to waste and thought it would look cool. I promise to remove it, and install a proper door for people to pass instead of having to open the car door to get through. And I promise to remove the Hella twin tones and install a proper doorbell instead, since manang is always dropping and breaking dishes everytime the doorbell rings.

I'm sorry if I gave away the Amorsolo your father gave us as a wedding present. I promise to remove the painting of the cars from the living room and seek the Amorsolo back.

I'm sorry if I disappointed you during your brother's wedding by wearing a barong with a Mercedes Benz logo. At least the flower brooch covered it. I promise to let you help me get some clothes that has no logo on them. That means I'll need a whole new wardrobe. And I'm sorry that I drove the wedding car again. Actually, I'm not that sorry I drove the wedding car.

I'm sorry if you didn't like the way I decorated our room. I promise to remove the Mercedes Benz flag, the books, the die cast collection, the other automobilia. And I promise to return our wedding picture back on the wall and remove the car pictures.

I'm sorry if I alienated you from your friends. I promise to stop giving them Mercedes Benz nicknames like "Ponton" and "Adenauer".

I'm sorry if we spent 5 days of the one week Germany second honeymoon that I promised you in the Mercedes Benz Museum. At least we got to spend 2 leisurely days on the autobahn. I've always wanted to floor a AMG SL. I'm glad you enjoyed the drive, screaming and shouting "verlangsamen Sie sich!" or something like that. Didn't know you have a gift for languages.

I'm sorry if we got raided by the PASG and NBI, with full national media coverage, for thinking that I was running a chop shop. Obviously these guys don't understand the concept of a DIY session, thinking it must be a new kind of drug.

I'm sorry if you packed up and left when you found me asleep under the car. It was a long day at the office and I wanted to get the car running soon as I can for the guys' Sunday run, which is why I was in the garage after dinner. Think I dozed off.

I know I have a lot of faults, but I can try to be better. I don't claim to be perfect. Maybe I just like my Benzes a little bit too much. I'll try to be better, I promise. I love you hunny.

xxoooxxx,

your hunny

P.S. I promise to move the bed back into the bedroom from the garage. Just please come home.

MB Ownership and MBCP Membership: An Affirmation of Values by Kuya Id

A Mercedes Benz espouses industry. Not only the industry of magnates and tycoons, but also the value and dignity of labor. For the past 20 years I have seen the same individual driven to the office in an aging but dignifiedly kept 114. Same time everyday. I do not know if he has any other vehicles in his garage, but I do know that his work ethic is as reliable and inviolate as his Benz. And given the opportunity to do business with him, I know I can count on his word. Which makes for a funny and ironic contrast considering that MBs are usually portrayed as "bad guy" cars in movies.

A Mercedes Benz is quality. It instills the value for quality in its products, a value that all enthusiasts can identify with, a value that transcends the physical aspect of the vehicle, permeating all aspects of the life of the enthusiast, from their work to their homes. MB owners are on a relentless pursuit for perfection and quality in all aspects of their lives, with the very embodiment of that pursuit found in the MBs parked in their garages.

A Mercedes Benz defines tradition. Some of us are enthusiasts by accident, some of us by choice. Some of us are fortunate enough to have a Benz tradition in our households. There are baby pics of us in our parents and grandparents' MBs, pics of MBs in the family, and eventually these cars transcend their primary purpose as transportation and become members of the family, often being passed on as treasured heirlooms from one generation to the next. The MB thread is often weaved into the fabric of the true enthusiasts' life. Oftentimes the first Benz in a family will not be the last, and sometimes it won't be the only one. And oftentimes enthusiasts will seek out the MBs of their childhood, trying to relive that moment, riding in the car with dad or lolo with nary a care in the world.

Above all, a Mercedes Benz evokes passion. A Mercedes Benz is an emotional purchase, yet with the ironic concurrence of the mind. Never irrational, yet beyond elucidation. Felt but beyond articulation. This passion, coupled with the pursuit of quality and excellence, is what defines the Mercedes Benz tradition and the resultant prestige. A Mercedes Benz tells the world "I have history." This passion is what leads some people to keep their MBs for their entire lives. This passion is what makes owners drive their MBs coast to coast...wanderlust and a Mercedes, what could be better? This passion is what makes people spend inordinate amounts of time and effort in restoring old neglected vehicles to their former glory.

And this passion is what makes the MBCP. Owning an MB and membership in the MBCP has affirmed my value set, further validating my beliefs that there are still individuals out there who still believe in integrity, who value the dignity of labor, and who profess a sincere concern for their fellowmen, no matter how trivial the need. Be it a sincere invitation, an encouraging word, a kind thought, a phone call to help fulfill a fellow member's dreams, I feel this is the home of kindred spirits, indeed. It does not matter that I have not met any of the members in person, what matters is that their response has been extremely heartening and I hope to be able to pay it forward.

I take pride in being a member, honored that I was invited, glad that I was welcomed, and relieved that the atmosphere was bereft of the mindless politicking, arrogant personalities and character clashes so prevalent in other clubs. It's quite amusing to think that THE Mercedes Benz Club of the Philippines is not populated by snooty snobs and insignificant poseurs bent on asserting their importance.

I remember my first email to sir Johan, when I was asking for help regarding the restoration of my first 108. I remember his encouraging words and the list of links he sent me to peruse. I remember sir Ricoled and our pursuit of the C124; sir Joel and his patience, listening to me rant about losing the bid on the 300CE-24 Sportline; I remember sir Bob and the numerous MB and non-MB advice and the help he so kindly gave me. These might be trivial things for you in the day-to-day, but in the big picture these can only serve to affirm one's belief that indeed class comes not only from their Marque of choice, but more importantly from their very person. Their vehicle of choice only serves to reflect that element of class in their character. As members, whatever we do will have an impact on the club. A kind word to a newbie asking for advice, an encouraging word when a fellow member gets into trouble, a hand to help push a stalled vehicle, a reply to a post for help, these are little things that make a difference. It sure made a difference to THIS newbie.

Sorry for the long rant...I just had a little time for introspection, and I realized that I was part of a club where the borders of status and station in life were removed, and replaced by our common passion for the three pointed star. Cause for introspection was because somebody asked me, "bakit mayayabang ang mga naka Benz?" I guess those who are probably owned their MBs for the wrong reason. :-)

Work + Leisure + God = Happiness

Hours have passed and I just cannot rationalize why I am willing to share what I have in mind, mixed emotions actually, but as far as I could remember, I have been feeling this way eversince.

Well, I just wanted to share first what my job really is. And many would say that there is no stability in my job, that I cannot grow here. They say many things actually, and I am a little bit confused on how to determind what's really right for me and what's not. Some people, just by seeing me, I could really tell that they're probably thinking, I could have done more, that I am worthy to achieve more. To tell you honestly, I am already complete. I am happy and contented. Although I am single, but I am truely blessed with family and friends.

Right now, I am into the outsourcing business, although there are a lot of people coming in and out in this business but I am the one who stays. I am a person who does not want to quit because it is impossible for me to quit. No Choice? Yes! I have so many people counting on me, and I have a lot to prove to them that I didn't make any mistake in choosing this kind of job. Yes, there's no stability I must admit because all the transactions are based on trust. My client trusts me that I could reach his expectations and in return I trust him to pay me after I am done with my job.

Problems are inevitable, but I all leave them to my God. That's the reason I think that keeps me going all these years. Take for example, I am in this very unstable business with clients all over the world, some clients would not pay me in the end, and I could get frustrated, but because I am in a very helpless situation, I could turn only to God, and nobody else. One thing is for sure, somehow, it eases the pain and eventually you'll learn to forget it.

Life must go on as long as you know how to take each day one step at a time. It's good to hurry sometimes but we must remember that if we take 10 steps each day, if we fall, we might really get hurt and it's more painful that you don't even know if you could ever stand again. So take it easy, enjoy life, live life to the best of your ability to make you happy.

Get To Know Me Before We Get Started

I am but no greater than anyone on earth... yet i can't help but fascinate at my own self each time i have time to appreciate the accomplishments i have shelved... but at the same time belittle myself for being coward knowing that i could have done more... yes, i am shy... but never let it be mistaken for a lack of intelligence or wit for when i do find the confidence to trust a person, i have the ability to speak my mind off... regardless of the reaction of the person to my insights but always mindful of other person's feelings... i long for the company of my friends but i am now starting to realize that i may be slowly forgotten... i admit that am no saint but neither am i a bitchy devil in disguise... i am a bit sour at times and easily jealous but i do have my own share of good points... i do find it hard to say NO to people especially when they are close to my heart but i do guard myself from being hurt and used.... but most times, fail to do so... loving my friends and family is an understatement... but i do not let this shield me from their flaws and faults... i find that i am quite easy to forgive but not have yet mastered the virtue of forgetting... in general, i am forgetful... but there are times that i am left dumbfounded in the capacity of my brain to store memories of the forgotten days... this has always left me asking God why i am more favored of remembering insignificant heartaches rather than needed answers for life's deepest questions... i am a dreamer but my feet are deeply planted on the ground... i have long stopped to fantasize but still is in the process of getting used to being harassed from the hard punches of life... i would like to say that i am a slave to sin... only to realize that i am the master of my soul... i listen to music a lot... but my singing ability is out of the question... no, i am not vain nor am i used to talking about myself... i just know myself better than anyone... as i would like to believe...