Primary scriptures: Matthew 16:28, 17:1 - 24, Mark 9:1 - 32, Luke 9:27 - 45, John 7:2 - 53, 8:1 - 59, 9:1 - 41, 10:1 - 21.
Late September 29 A.D.
The Transfiguration
Jesus and his disciples are in Caesarea Philippi (Matthew 16:13, Mark 8:27). While staying in the city the Lord decides to take Peter, James and John on a short journey. What the three men will soon see in a vision (Matthew 17:9) is unparelled in the Bible!
The spectacular manifestation the three apostles will see is commonly called the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:3 - 9, Mark 9:5 - 10, Luke 9:31 - 36). It occurred just before this year's Feast of Tabernacles which began on October 11 (John 7:2). This is why impulsive Peter, amazed at the vision, blurted out he wanted to build booths (Leviticus 23:39 - 43, Matthew 17:4).
Because of its prophetic symbolism, the transfiguration likely took place on or immediately following the Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah) which began at sunset on September 26.
Jesus leads the three apostles to an elevated location which was possibly Mount Hermon. The three men then witness the Lord in his glorified form along with glorified representations of Moses and Elijah. A cloud then overshadows all those on the mount and states the following.
This is My Son, the Beloved, in Whom I delight. Listen to Him! (Matthew 17:5).
The men, after the vision, return to Caesarea Philippi. A crowd soon gathers with one man pleading that a demon be cast out of his son since the disciples were unable to do so. Christ casts the demon out of the boy. He then reveals that certain evil spirits cannot be cast out unless a person has faith in God and is close to him through fasting and prayer (Matthew 17:14 - 21, Mark 9:14 - 29, Luke 9:37 - 42).
October 29 A.D.
Secret Journey to Jerusalem
The Lord travels through Capernaum and then through Galilee (Mark 9:30, Matthew 17:22) preaching the gospel. On his journey He meets up with his half-brothers (possibly in Nazareth) who strongly admonish him to expand his popularity by openly performing miracles in Jerusalem during the Feast of Tabernacles (John 7:2 - 7).
Jesus rejects his family's suggestion to go immediately to the Feast and publically show himself, likely due to the Jews seeking to kill him (John 7:8, 19 - 20, 25). A few days after they leave, however, he travels secretly to Jerusalem (verse 10).
Mid-October 29 A.D.
Keeping the Feast
The Lord, after stealthly traveling to Jerusalem, appears suddenly at the temple during the middle of the Feast (roughly Oct. 14, John 7:14). He then begins to preach even though the Jews are watching for him.
Christ reveals to the Jews that they, in spite of what they believe, do not keep God's laws and then asks why they seek to take his life. He additionally affirms that what he has taught has come directly from God (John 7:16 - 29).
My doctrine is not Mine, but His Who sent Me. If anyone desires to do His will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it is from God, or whether I speak from My own self . . .
Did not Moses give you the law, and not one of you is practicing the law? Why do you seek to kill Me? . . . (John 7:16 - 17, 19).
The Jews greatly desire to arrest Christ but are unable to do so. The Pharisees and chief priests, after learning the crowds debated whether Jesus was the Messiah, send officers to arrest him (John 7:30 - 32).
October 18
(Tuesday)
29 A.D.
The Last Great Day
Jesus, during the morning portion of the Last Great Day, loudly proclaims the following for everyone to hear at the temple.
If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. The one who believes in Me, as the scripture has said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water (John 7:37 - 38).
The officers dispatched to arrest Jesus return empty-handed when they report back to the Jewish religious leaders.
As a result, when the officers came to the chief priests and the Pharisees, they said to them, "Why did you not bring Him? (Jesus)"
The officers answered, "Never has a man spoken like this man." Then the Pharisees answered them, "Are you also being deceived? . . ." (John 7:45 - 47).
Nicodemus, a Pharisee, who hears the report of the officers, tries in vain to defend Jesus before the other Jewish religious leaders present in Jerusalem (John 7:40 - 53).
October 18 to
Mid-November 29 A.D.
An Adulterous Woman Judged
Jesus, while still in Jerusalem after the Feast of Tabernacles has completed, is brought an adulterous woman caught by some religious leaders (John 8:3). They seek to know how he would judge her and her sin, given that Old Testament law demanded her life (verse 5, see also Leviticus 20:10, Deuteronomy 22:22 - 24).
Jesus' brief response to those wishing to entrap him, coupled with words he writes on the ground (which the Bible does not reveal), convicts the consciences of the self-righteous leaders gathered around him. They, one by one, starting from the oldest to the youngest, leave the area until all those who accused the woman are gone (John 8:3 - 11).
Avoiding Being Stoned
The Pharisees, on likely the same day as the incident with the adulterous woman, verbally attack Jesus while he is teaching in the temple treasury area (John 8:12 - 29). He responds to their accusations by stating they will die in their sins. He also tells them (and other Jews) that, although they are physically descended from Abraham, their spiritual father is actually Satan the devil (John 8:30 - 47)!
After the Lord is twice accused of being possessed by a demon, he rightfully labels his accusers as liars. He also reveals directly to the Jews that he is the "I AM" or God of the Old Testament!
"Abraham your father was overjoyed to see My day; and he saw it, and rejoiced." Then the Jews said to Him, "You are not even fifty years old, and You have seen Abraham?"
Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly I say to you, before Abraham was born, I AM" (John 8:56 - 58).
Those who hear Jesus' words know full well what he is claiming. They immediately begin to gather stones to kill him for blasphemy! Christ, however, because it was not yet his time to die, escapes out of the temple (John 8:52 - 59).
Excommunication
Jesus, on a weekly Sabbath day, heals a man born blind by having him wash in the pool of Siloam located in Jerusalem (John 9:1 - 41). After the Pharisees quiz the man about who healed him and how it was done, he is cast (excommunicated) out of the synagogue!
Jesus finds the man who was put out of the synagogue and reveals that he is the Messiah. After giving his disciples the parable of the good Shepherd (10:1 - 21) they journey the long distance back to Capernaum (Matthew 17:24).