The Presentation Of The King
Our Text:
Matthew Chapter 21
We are now reaching the beginning of the end of the time God remained in the flesh on this Earth. As Jesus enters Jerusalem, it will be witnessed by great multitudes of people.
Many have said that Jesus was carried away by enthusiasm and expected Jerusalem to receive Him as the Messiah-King but this is not true.
Others have explained His entry into Jerusalem as a concession to the Messianic expectations of the scriptures about the disciples.
These things dishonor the One who came to save us all. Christ Jesus was and is King and He came to Jerusalem to fulfill the prophesies..
We will also see that Our Lord revealed the sin of Israel and how He explained why the religious leaders not only rejected Him but they also rejected His message.
To set the stage we must remember that from the time of Israel's redemption from Egypt, the annual slaying of the passover lamb looked forward to the Lamb of God. It's also interesting to note that as they looked forward, we can now look back, as the Lamb of God paid the supreme price for our sin. We can now look forward to going home one day soon. It is by His sacrifice that redemption would be provided for "all" that were and are in bondage to sin.
The Law of Moses required all Jews to observe the Passover Feast:
Exo 12:1 And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying,
Exo 12:2 This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you.
Exo 12:3 Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house:
Exo 12:4 And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb.
Exo 12:5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats:
Exo 12:6 And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening.
Exo 12:7 And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it.
Exo 12:8 And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it.
Exo 12:9 Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast with fire; his head with his legs, and with the purtenance thereof.
Exo 12:10 And ye shall let nothing of it remain until the morning; and that which remaineth of it until the morning ye shall burn with fire.
Exo 12:11 And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the LORD'S passover.
Exo 12:12 For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD.
Exo 12:13 And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.
Exo 12:14 And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.
What we do find is that some common people, who should have been giving their attention to the "rituals" of this feast, were in fact directing that attention to Jesus Christ.
The conflict between Jesus and all religious leaders was well known throughout the land. The Jewish leaders saw the Passover as an opportune time to put Jesus to death.
Their reasoning was that if Israel accepted Jesus as the Messiah and He instituted a kingdom, Rome would move in and destroy this kingdom. It seemed better to these leaders that "One" man should die rather than the whole nation perish.
These people felt that this would be their last chance and maybe their only chance to kill Jesus.
Joh 11:48 If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.
Joh 11:49 And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all,
Joh 11:50 Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.
Joh 11:51 And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation;
Joh 11:52 And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.
Joh 11:53 Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.
They had also decided to kill Lazarus who was evidence of the power of Christ Jesus:
Joh 12:9 Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead.
Joh 12:10 But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death;
Joh 12:11 Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.
The time of Daniel's prophecy was unfolding:
Dan 9:24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.
Dan 9:25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.
Dan 9:26 [And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself]: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.
Dan 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
Our Text:
Mat 21:1 And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples,
Mat 21:2 Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me.
Mat 21:3 And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them.
Mat 21:4 All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying,
Mat 21:5 Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.
"Bethpage" means "house of the unripe figs"
In typology this city represents the nation of Israel at this time, the unripe fruit not ready to be picked.
Compare this to the second coming of the Lord when the world will be "over ripe" to the point of rotten fruit.
Rev 14:18 And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; [for her grapes are fully ripe].
It is estimated that there were at least 2 million people in Jerusalem at this time. We will see that Jesus for possibly the first time planned and promoted a public demonstration. Jesus had normally avoided public scenes!
Why did He do this?
He was being obedient to the Word of God:
Isa 62:11 Behold, the LORD hath proclaimed unto the end of the world, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh; behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.
Zec 9:9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.
This prophecy can only apply to Jesus for He was the only One that could prove He was heir to the throne of David!
Luk 1:31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
Luk 1:32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
Luk 1:33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Luk 1:31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
Luk 1:32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
Luk 1:33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
At this time all records were kept at the Temple and this could be proven!
It was documented and never questioned!
In our day we would not associate the donkey as a royal animal but they were at this time in Palestine. The King would have his special mule and they still had the War horse but the donkey was used more daily matters.
There were actually two animals, the mother and the colt. Jesus sat on the colt with the mother walking alongside.
Notice how Matthew quoted the scripture of Zachariah:
Zec 9:9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.
compare:
Mat 21:5 Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.
Matthew omitted the phrase "rejoice greatly" but wrote that when Jesus approached the city "He wept".
It was not the time for rejoicing as judgment was soon coming.
70 A D Titus destroyed Jerusalem.
Matthew also omitted the words:
"He is just and having salvation"
Jesus came this time in "Mercy" and in "Grace".
Jesus had salvation but they had refused to accept it.
Joh 1:11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
The next time they see Jesus it will be in a much different manner:
Rev 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
Rev 19:12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.
Rev 19:13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
*****Our Text:
Mat 21:6 And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them,
Mat 21:7 And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon.
Mat 21:8 And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way.
Mat 21:9 And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.
Mat 21:10 And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this?
Mat 21:11 And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.
Christ had revealed His "omniscience" when these animals were found just as Jesus had said.
"Omniscience" is God's quality of knowing all things at once. We could say God has universal knowledge but in actuality His power is greater than that as we can see in His creation.
As Jesus was showing His authority over His creation, He was also fulfilling His prophetic word. Every detail of the prophets would be fulfilled by the Lord Jesus Christ which is another reason we can believe all else is written in God's Word.
As Christ Jesus sat on this colt we can see His "omnipotence". His unlimited power over all His creation.
It can be seen that a great multitude recognized this incident as the fulfillment of the prophecy of the Messiah!
We cannot know how many people could have been in Jerusalem at this time but there was a historian who was not a believer named Josephus who wrote that there were 256,500 lambs that were sacrificed which some say is a low estimate but if you figured a lamb for every ten persons then that would be just under 2,700,000 persons.
Since Jerusalem could not have held that many people with housing we can be sure that all the roads leading to Jerusalem and any open ground would be covered with the tents of the visitors.
They responded, shouting "Hosanna"!
This word means: Save Now! Save Now!
Psa 118:23 This is the LORD'S doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.
Psa 118:24 This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Psa 118:25 Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.
Psa 118:26 Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD.
This phrase was common to every feast of the Passover but it was directed at Jesus Christ the Savior on this day.
We know that the Pharisees objected to this jubilation and asked the Lord to silence these people.
Luk 19:39 And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples.
Jesus told these sinful men that He did not need the people to respond this way if they chose not too but that He had the power to create stones with voices!
Luk 19:40 And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.
Verse 10 tells us that the City was moved by the Lord entering the city but we also know that it was Jesus Christ that knew their hearts and we get the tears of sadness from our Lord.
Luk 19:41 And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,
Remember God had revealed a specific time in the Book of Daniel for these events.
Some things we have learned in our study of Matthew:
1.) Jesus Christ was identified as King of Israel at "His birth".
2.) Jesus Christ was identified with the nation of Israel at "His Baptism".
3.) Jesus Christ was authenticated as the Messiah at "His temptation".
4.) Jesus Christ showed forth His Glory at "His Transfiguration".
5.) It is at this time of of His triumphant entry that Jesus Christ presented Himself to Israel as "The Messiah".
6.) We can see that "The Prince of Peace" was not recognized at this time:
Luk 19:42 Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, [at least in this thy day], the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.
The City asked:
Who is this?
Every human being that walks the face of this earth will have to ask this question of themselves before their death. After death each one of us will know the answer!
Who is Jesus Christ and what does He mean to me?
The children of Israel answered this day in terms of rejection. Instead of their King, instead of Jehovah, instead of the Messiah they answered:
"This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee"
No doubt a great honor to some human but not to the Almighty God.
Peter had said:
Mat 16:16 And Simon Peter answered and said, [Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God].
The woman at the well had said:
Joh 11:27 She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: [I believe that thou art the Christ], the Son of God, which should come into the world.
There were at least four groups of people in this Passover crowd.
1.) The Jews who lived in Jerusalem.
2.) The crowd that came from Galilee.
3.) The people that had seen the raising of Lazarus.
4.) No doubt there were many visitors from many nations.
Act 2:8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?
Act 2:9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,
Act 2:10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,
Act 2:11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.
The people wanted to see this miracle worker for themselves.
The Jews were spiritually blind because their own leaders had robbed them of the truth of their own WORD and had substituted "Man-Made" traditions.
These leaders were not interested in the truth, they were only concerned with protecting their own interest.
The world is just the same today when it comes to Jesus.
To be saved we must answer this question individually.
Who Is Jesus To You?
Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
If Jesus Christ is not the Savior to this world then we all are bound for hell for there is no other means of salvation.
Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Joh 14:7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.
*****Our text:
Mat 21:12 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,
Mat 21:13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.
Mat 21:14 And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them.
Mat 21:15 And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; they were sore displeased,
Mat 21:16 And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?
The purpose of the court of the Gentiles was to give the heathen outcasts an opportunity to enter the Temple and learn of the God of Israel, the true God of this world. Historians tell us that Annas the former high priest had changed this area into a commercial enterprise.
This place that was set aside to win converts to Judaism, was changed into a place where foreign Jews could exchange money and purchase sacrifices. In this place none other could compete nor oppose this lucrative business. No doubt many Gentiles were turned off to the religion of the Jews.
Are we sometimes guilty of this in our own places of worship? I believe we are.
Watch Jesus:
"My house"
Jesus said "I AM God" with this simple statement.
"My house shall be called the house of prayer"
Jesus then gave the purpose of this Temple and this place for the Gentiles that was originally built by Solomon.
Isa 56:6 Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant;
Isa 56:7 Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.
Jesus continues to say:
"but ye have made it a den of thieves"
Jer 7:11 Is this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, even I have seen it, saith the LORD.
A den is a place where robbers hide. These unfaithful leaders of Israel where trying to hide their sin.
We can see that God wants prayer in His house!
1Ti 2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
1Ti 2:2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
1Ti 2:3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
1Ti 2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
1Ti 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
1Ti 2:6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
We can see by the actions of the Lord that the House of God is a place of help to those that come. The needy should feel welcome no matter their nationality.
There should be the Power of God in His house working to change people.
There should be "Praise" for the only true God in His house.
Psa 8:1 O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.
Psa 8:2 Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.
What we can believe is that there is another Temple in Israel's future and the Lord will also cleanse out this one after it has been given over to the Gentiles:
2Th 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
2Th 2:4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
[Him, He will destroy with the brightness of the second coming of the Lord].
*****Our Text
Mat 21:17 And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there.
Mat 21:18 Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered.
Mat 21:19 And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.
Mat 21:20 And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away!
Mat 21:21 Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.
Mat 21:22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
We next see Jesus had cleansed the Temple, and He would perform another act of judgment.
Jesus cursed a fig tree. Now this tree was His creation and therefore it was His tree but this also was contrary to His usual manner.
Jesus came first to save:
Joh 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
This world will be judged at His second coming.
Notice there was nothing morally wrong with this tree so we must realize Jesus was sending a message by example to Israel.
The fig tree symbolizes Israel:
Jer 8:13 I will surely consume them, saith the LORD: there shall be no grapes on the vine, [nor figs on the fig tree], and the leaf shall fade; and the things that I have given them shall pass away from them.
Hos 9:10 I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; [I saw your fathers as the firstripe in the fig tree] at her first time: but they went to Baalpeor, and separated themselves unto that shame; and their abominations were according as they loved.
To a fig tree the presence of leaves would indicate the presence of fruit. Now we know Jesus did not have to see that tree to know that it had no fruit. Jesus was saying in His teaching way that judgment was coming to Israel.
Israel was that fig tree and the leaves only covered her nakedness, much like Adam and Eve had tried to cover their own nakedness. Sin can only be covered by the Blood.
Israel was barren of fruit when searched by the Lord. This tree was taking up space, using the blessings of the Lord(the rain and sunshine) and producing no fruit.
This again is illustrated in a parable:
Luk 13:6 He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.
Luk 13:7 Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?
Luk 13:8 And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:
Luk 13:9 And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.
Jesus continued to teach the disciples. Here He taught a practical lesson in faith and prayer.
1.) The Temple was suppose to be a House of Prayer.
2.) The Nation of Israel was supposed to be a believing people.
Both of these things were missing. These things if missing in our lives will always bring fruitlessness. God expects all His children to be fruitful.
*****Our Text:
Mat 21:23 And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?
Mat 21:24 And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things.
Mat 21:25 The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him?
Mat 21:26 But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet.
Mat 21:27 And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.
Mat 21:28 But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard.
Mat 21:29 He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.
Mat 21:30 And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not.
Mat 21:31 Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.
Mat 21:32 For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.
After Jesus had cleaned out the Court of the Gentiles the day before and as He returned to the
Temple, He was met by the chief priests and the elders.
We will witness as Christ Jesus again teaches with parables.Why did He use parables?
Mat 13:10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?
Mat 13:11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
Mat 13:12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.
Mat 13:13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.
These men were the custodians of God's House and they should have asked when men came to
preach in the Temple but Jesus had given them three years of His ministry and they refused the facts of God's Word.
A lesson we can learn here is that we should be cautious at everyone that wants to preach in God's House.
Gal 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
Gal 1:9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
Jesus Christ had the right doctrine. God's Word was rejected by these that ministered to the Temple. These people wanted to see more evidence but they had seen many miracles of healing the day before.
John the Baptist had prepared the way for Jesus. If these rulers had received the ministry of John, which was also from the prophets of the Old Testament, they would have received the message of Christ Jesus.
John had preached the truth but these rulers had allowed John to be killed by Herod.
How are we going to act when the governments of this world take our Pastors and our Preachers of the truth and lock them behind bars for preaching and teaching the truth. Are we going to stand with them or are we going to be as these false teachers of Israel and give in to their evilness. It's coming soon to America and already in a lot of this world. We need to decide now. In fact we should have made that decision the day we got saved!
It is a basic principle of Christian living that we cannot learn new truth if we do not obey what God has already taught us!
Joh 7:16 Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.
Joh 7:17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.
Joh 7:18 He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.
The message of John was rejected so Jesus could not impart any knew truth. We live, breath and die by God's Word. God gives us the freedom to choose but when we choose His way then we must walk in His way.
Christ Jesus was and is the King, the Messiah, the Son of God and He was about His Father's business. That was His authority and it still is!
The Church has this same authority as God's children.
Jesus began to teach His disciples in full view of these men.
1.) These Pharisees and elders claimed to be sons of the kingdom simply because they were the children of Abraham. If we go back to the Book of Genesis we can find that Palestine is full of the descendants of Abraham even in our day.
Jesus teaches us that sonship comes from obedience!
This parable that begins at verse 28 gives us the true meaning of "repentance". It is one of the best examples of true repentance throughout all the scriptures.
True repentance begins when we change our direction (Vs 29) and go in the direction that God tells us to go, thus obeying God's Word. Repentance is not just feeling sorry for the wrong we did. Repentance takes an action on our part, a physical action that can be seen by others. This is the first act of witnessing and it should begin the very first day of our salvation and be noticeable to others especially those that are lost. If they can see no difference in our lives they will never be believers.
Jesus Christ had demonstrated that He was willing to accept all sinners, "whosoever", into His family. These leaders of Israel would not even admit that they were sinners and therefore they refused to come to Him for salvation. This is still the same story throughout this world.
Luk 5:27 And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me.
Luk 5:28 And he left all, rose up, and followed him.
Luk 5:29 And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them.
Luk 5:30 But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners?
Luk 5:31 And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick.
Luk 5:32 I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
*****Our Text:
Mat 21:33 Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country:
Mat 21:34 And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it.
Mat 21:35 And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another.
Mat 21:36 Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise.
Mat 21:37 But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son.
Mat 21:38 But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance.
Mat 21:39 And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him.
Mat 21:40 When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen?
Mat 21:41 They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons.
2.) Jesus Christ will now teach the consequence of the Nation of Israel's rejection of Him as the Messiah.
The proof of this parable lies in the prophetic word of Isaiah:
Isa 5:1 Now will I sing to my wellbeloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard. My wellbeloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill:
Isa 5:2 And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a winepress therein: and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes.
Isa 5:3 And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem, and men of Judah, judge, I pray you, betwixt me and my vineyard.
Isa 5:4 What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes?
Isa 5:5 And now go to; I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard: I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up; and break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down:
Isa 5:6 And I will lay it waste: it shall not be pruned, nor digged; but there shall come up briers and thorns: I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it.
Isa 5:7 For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry.
Jesus reminded these men of God's goodness.
a.) He had delivered them out of Egypt.
b.) He had given them the rich land of Palestine.
c.) He had given them material and spiritual blessings untold.
d.) He had sent His prophets from time to time to receive of their fruit.
They had rejected the prophets.
What should God do?
He could have sent His armies to destroy these wicked men But:
He sent His Own Son!
Heb 1:2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
Heb 1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
Heb 1:4 Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. Heb 1:2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
Heb 1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
Heb 1:4 Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
His Son was not received but was cast out of the vineyard and killed:
Heb 13:12 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, [suffered without the gate].
Heb 13:13 Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.
Jesus reminded these men who this parable was about:
Psa 118:22 The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.
Psa 118:23 This is the LORD'S doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.
*****Our Text:
Mat 21:42 Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?
Mat 21:43 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.
Mat 21:44 And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.
Mat 21:45 And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them.
Mat 21:46 But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet.
Jesus then opens to them the prophecy of Daniel:
Dan 2:34 Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces.
Dan 2:45 Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.
In the Old Testament, God is referred to as a "Rock":
Deu 32:4 He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.
Jesus Christ was the stumbling stone to Israel:
Isa 8:13 Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.
Isa 8:14 And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
Isa 8:15 And many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken.
Isa 8:16 Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples.
Isa 8:17 And I will wait upon the LORD, that hideth his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him.
Isa 8:18 Behold, I and the children whom the LORD hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion.
Rom 9:32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;
Rom 9:33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
They refused to believe:
Paul wrote:
1Co 1:23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
1Co 1:24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
Israel rejected the Messiah but in that rejection and His death and Resurrection, He created the Church.
To the Church, Jesus is the foundation stone, the corner stone:
Eph 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
Eph 2:21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
Eph 2:22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
The Church is now full of "living stones" of God:
1Pe 2:4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,
1Pe 2:5 Ye also, [as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house], an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
At the end of this Church Age Jesus will come as the smiting stone:
Dan 2:34 Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces.
At the second coming of Christ all governments will be destroyed and King Jesus will rule just as He has told these Pharisees and elders of Israel:
1Pe 2:6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
1Pe 2:7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
1Pe 2:8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
1Pe 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
1Pe 2:10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
Jesus separates these two events by the Church Age. The time that we now live in. This time will not last much longer!
When the chief priests and elders heard this parable they realized that Jesus has spoken of them.
Is Jesus speaking to you today? If so all He ask us to do is believe on Him and His Word of Truth.
Let's Pray!
Our Text:
Matthew Chapter 21
We are now reaching the beginning of the end of the time God remained in the flesh on this Earth. As Jesus enters Jerusalem, it will be witnessed by great multitudes of people.
Many have said that Jesus was carried away by enthusiasm and expected Jerusalem to receive Him as the Messiah-King but this is not true.
Others have explained His entry into Jerusalem as a concession to the Messianic expectations of the scriptures about the disciples.
These things dishonor the One who came to save us all. Christ Jesus was and is King and He came to Jerusalem to fulfill the prophesies..
We will also see that Our Lord revealed the sin of Israel and how He explained why the religious leaders not only rejected Him but they also rejected His message.
To set the stage we must remember that from the time of Israel's redemption from Egypt, the annual slaying of the passover lamb looked forward to the Lamb of God. It's also interesting to note that as they looked forward, we can now look back, as the Lamb of God paid the supreme price for our sin. We can now look forward to going home one day soon. It is by His sacrifice that redemption would be provided for "all" that were and are in bondage to sin.
The Law of Moses required all Jews to observe the Passover Feast:
Exo 12:1 And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying,
Exo 12:2 This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you.
Exo 12:3 Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house:
Exo 12:4 And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb.
Exo 12:5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats:
Exo 12:6 And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening.
Exo 12:7 And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it.
Exo 12:8 And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it.
Exo 12:9 Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast with fire; his head with his legs, and with the purtenance thereof.
Exo 12:10 And ye shall let nothing of it remain until the morning; and that which remaineth of it until the morning ye shall burn with fire.
Exo 12:11 And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the LORD'S passover.
Exo 12:12 For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD.
Exo 12:13 And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.
Exo 12:14 And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.
What we do find is that some common people, who should have been giving their attention to the "rituals" of this feast, were in fact directing that attention to Jesus Christ.
The conflict between Jesus and all religious leaders was well known throughout the land. The Jewish leaders saw the Passover as an opportune time to put Jesus to death.
Their reasoning was that if Israel accepted Jesus as the Messiah and He instituted a kingdom, Rome would move in and destroy this kingdom. It seemed better to these leaders that "One" man should die rather than the whole nation perish.
These people felt that this would be their last chance and maybe their only chance to kill Jesus.
Joh 11:48 If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.
Joh 11:49 And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all,
Joh 11:50 Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.
Joh 11:51 And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation;
Joh 11:52 And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.
Joh 11:53 Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.
They had also decided to kill Lazarus who was evidence of the power of Christ Jesus:
Joh 12:9 Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead.
Joh 12:10 But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death;
Joh 12:11 Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.
The time of Daniel's prophecy was unfolding:
Dan 9:24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.
Dan 9:25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.
Dan 9:26 [And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself]: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.
Dan 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
Our Text:
Mat 21:1 And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples,
Mat 21:2 Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me.
Mat 21:3 And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them.
Mat 21:4 All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying,
Mat 21:5 Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.
"Bethpage" means "house of the unripe figs"
In typology this city represents the nation of Israel at this time, the unripe fruit not ready to be picked.
Compare this to the second coming of the Lord when the world will be "over ripe" to the point of rotten fruit.
Rev 14:18 And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; [for her grapes are fully ripe].
It is estimated that there were at least 2 million people in Jerusalem at this time. We will see that Jesus for possibly the first time planned and promoted a public demonstration. Jesus had normally avoided public scenes!
Why did He do this?
He was being obedient to the Word of God:
Isa 62:11 Behold, the LORD hath proclaimed unto the end of the world, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh; behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.
Zec 9:9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.
This prophecy can only apply to Jesus for He was the only One that could prove He was heir to the throne of David!
Luk 1:31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
Luk 1:32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
Luk 1:33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Luk 1:31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
Luk 1:32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
Luk 1:33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
At this time all records were kept at the Temple and this could be proven!
It was documented and never questioned!
In our day we would not associate the donkey as a royal animal but they were at this time in Palestine. The King would have his special mule and they still had the War horse but the donkey was used more daily matters.
There were actually two animals, the mother and the colt. Jesus sat on the colt with the mother walking alongside.
Notice how Matthew quoted the scripture of Zachariah:
Zec 9:9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.
compare:
Mat 21:5 Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.
Matthew omitted the phrase "rejoice greatly" but wrote that when Jesus approached the city "He wept".
It was not the time for rejoicing as judgment was soon coming.
70 A D Titus destroyed Jerusalem.
Matthew also omitted the words:
"He is just and having salvation"
Jesus came this time in "Mercy" and in "Grace".
Jesus had salvation but they had refused to accept it.
Joh 1:11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
The next time they see Jesus it will be in a much different manner:
Rev 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
Rev 19:12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.
Rev 19:13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
*****Our Text:
Mat 21:6 And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them,
Mat 21:7 And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon.
Mat 21:8 And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way.
Mat 21:9 And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.
Mat 21:10 And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this?
Mat 21:11 And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.
Christ had revealed His "omniscience" when these animals were found just as Jesus had said.
"Omniscience" is God's quality of knowing all things at once. We could say God has universal knowledge but in actuality His power is greater than that as we can see in His creation.
As Jesus was showing His authority over His creation, He was also fulfilling His prophetic word. Every detail of the prophets would be fulfilled by the Lord Jesus Christ which is another reason we can believe all else is written in God's Word.
As Christ Jesus sat on this colt we can see His "omnipotence". His unlimited power over all His creation.
It can be seen that a great multitude recognized this incident as the fulfillment of the prophecy of the Messiah!
We cannot know how many people could have been in Jerusalem at this time but there was a historian who was not a believer named Josephus who wrote that there were 256,500 lambs that were sacrificed which some say is a low estimate but if you figured a lamb for every ten persons then that would be just under 2,700,000 persons.
Since Jerusalem could not have held that many people with housing we can be sure that all the roads leading to Jerusalem and any open ground would be covered with the tents of the visitors.
They responded, shouting "Hosanna"!
This word means: Save Now! Save Now!
Psa 118:23 This is the LORD'S doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.
Psa 118:24 This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Psa 118:25 Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.
Psa 118:26 Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD.
This phrase was common to every feast of the Passover but it was directed at Jesus Christ the Savior on this day.
We know that the Pharisees objected to this jubilation and asked the Lord to silence these people.
Luk 19:39 And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples.
Jesus told these sinful men that He did not need the people to respond this way if they chose not too but that He had the power to create stones with voices!
Luk 19:40 And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.
Verse 10 tells us that the City was moved by the Lord entering the city but we also know that it was Jesus Christ that knew their hearts and we get the tears of sadness from our Lord.
Luk 19:41 And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,
Remember God had revealed a specific time in the Book of Daniel for these events.
Some things we have learned in our study of Matthew:
1.) Jesus Christ was identified as King of Israel at "His birth".
2.) Jesus Christ was identified with the nation of Israel at "His Baptism".
3.) Jesus Christ was authenticated as the Messiah at "His temptation".
4.) Jesus Christ showed forth His Glory at "His Transfiguration".
5.) It is at this time of of His triumphant entry that Jesus Christ presented Himself to Israel as "The Messiah".
6.) We can see that "The Prince of Peace" was not recognized at this time:
Luk 19:42 Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, [at least in this thy day], the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.
The City asked:
Who is this?
Every human being that walks the face of this earth will have to ask this question of themselves before their death. After death each one of us will know the answer!
Who is Jesus Christ and what does He mean to me?
The children of Israel answered this day in terms of rejection. Instead of their King, instead of Jehovah, instead of the Messiah they answered:
"This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee"
No doubt a great honor to some human but not to the Almighty God.
Peter had said:
Mat 16:16 And Simon Peter answered and said, [Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God].
The woman at the well had said:
Joh 11:27 She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: [I believe that thou art the Christ], the Son of God, which should come into the world.
There were at least four groups of people in this Passover crowd.
1.) The Jews who lived in Jerusalem.
2.) The crowd that came from Galilee.
3.) The people that had seen the raising of Lazarus.
4.) No doubt there were many visitors from many nations.
Act 2:8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?
Act 2:9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,
Act 2:10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,
Act 2:11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.
The people wanted to see this miracle worker for themselves.
The Jews were spiritually blind because their own leaders had robbed them of the truth of their own WORD and had substituted "Man-Made" traditions.
These leaders were not interested in the truth, they were only concerned with protecting their own interest.
The world is just the same today when it comes to Jesus.
To be saved we must answer this question individually.
Who Is Jesus To You?
Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
If Jesus Christ is not the Savior to this world then we all are bound for hell for there is no other means of salvation.
Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Joh 14:7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.
*****Our text:
Mat 21:12 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,
Mat 21:13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.
Mat 21:14 And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them.
Mat 21:15 And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; they were sore displeased,
Mat 21:16 And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?
The purpose of the court of the Gentiles was to give the heathen outcasts an opportunity to enter the Temple and learn of the God of Israel, the true God of this world. Historians tell us that Annas the former high priest had changed this area into a commercial enterprise.
This place that was set aside to win converts to Judaism, was changed into a place where foreign Jews could exchange money and purchase sacrifices. In this place none other could compete nor oppose this lucrative business. No doubt many Gentiles were turned off to the religion of the Jews.
Are we sometimes guilty of this in our own places of worship? I believe we are.
Watch Jesus:
"My house"
Jesus said "I AM God" with this simple statement.
"My house shall be called the house of prayer"
Jesus then gave the purpose of this Temple and this place for the Gentiles that was originally built by Solomon.
Isa 56:6 Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant;
Isa 56:7 Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.
Jesus continues to say:
"but ye have made it a den of thieves"
Jer 7:11 Is this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, even I have seen it, saith the LORD.
A den is a place where robbers hide. These unfaithful leaders of Israel where trying to hide their sin.
We can see that God wants prayer in His house!
1Ti 2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
1Ti 2:2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
1Ti 2:3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
1Ti 2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
1Ti 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
1Ti 2:6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
We can see by the actions of the Lord that the House of God is a place of help to those that come. The needy should feel welcome no matter their nationality.
There should be the Power of God in His house working to change people.
There should be "Praise" for the only true God in His house.
Psa 8:1 O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.
Psa 8:2 Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.
What we can believe is that there is another Temple in Israel's future and the Lord will also cleanse out this one after it has been given over to the Gentiles:
2Th 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
2Th 2:4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
[Him, He will destroy with the brightness of the second coming of the Lord].
*****Our Text
Mat 21:17 And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there.
Mat 21:18 Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered.
Mat 21:19 And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.
Mat 21:20 And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away!
Mat 21:21 Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.
Mat 21:22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
We next see Jesus had cleansed the Temple, and He would perform another act of judgment.
Jesus cursed a fig tree. Now this tree was His creation and therefore it was His tree but this also was contrary to His usual manner.
Jesus came first to save:
Joh 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
This world will be judged at His second coming.
Notice there was nothing morally wrong with this tree so we must realize Jesus was sending a message by example to Israel.
The fig tree symbolizes Israel:
Jer 8:13 I will surely consume them, saith the LORD: there shall be no grapes on the vine, [nor figs on the fig tree], and the leaf shall fade; and the things that I have given them shall pass away from them.
Hos 9:10 I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; [I saw your fathers as the firstripe in the fig tree] at her first time: but they went to Baalpeor, and separated themselves unto that shame; and their abominations were according as they loved.
To a fig tree the presence of leaves would indicate the presence of fruit. Now we know Jesus did not have to see that tree to know that it had no fruit. Jesus was saying in His teaching way that judgment was coming to Israel.
Israel was that fig tree and the leaves only covered her nakedness, much like Adam and Eve had tried to cover their own nakedness. Sin can only be covered by the Blood.
Israel was barren of fruit when searched by the Lord. This tree was taking up space, using the blessings of the Lord(the rain and sunshine) and producing no fruit.
This again is illustrated in a parable:
Luk 13:6 He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.
Luk 13:7 Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?
Luk 13:8 And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:
Luk 13:9 And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.
Jesus continued to teach the disciples. Here He taught a practical lesson in faith and prayer.
1.) The Temple was suppose to be a House of Prayer.
2.) The Nation of Israel was supposed to be a believing people.
Both of these things were missing. These things if missing in our lives will always bring fruitlessness. God expects all His children to be fruitful.
*****Our Text:
Mat 21:23 And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?
Mat 21:24 And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things.
Mat 21:25 The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him?
Mat 21:26 But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet.
Mat 21:27 And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.
Mat 21:28 But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard.
Mat 21:29 He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.
Mat 21:30 And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not.
Mat 21:31 Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.
Mat 21:32 For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.
After Jesus had cleaned out the Court of the Gentiles the day before and as He returned to the
Temple, He was met by the chief priests and the elders.
We will witness as Christ Jesus again teaches with parables.Why did He use parables?
Mat 13:10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?
Mat 13:11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
Mat 13:12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.
Mat 13:13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.
These men were the custodians of God's House and they should have asked when men came to
preach in the Temple but Jesus had given them three years of His ministry and they refused the facts of God's Word.
A lesson we can learn here is that we should be cautious at everyone that wants to preach in God's House.
Gal 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
Gal 1:9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
Jesus Christ had the right doctrine. God's Word was rejected by these that ministered to the Temple. These people wanted to see more evidence but they had seen many miracles of healing the day before.
John the Baptist had prepared the way for Jesus. If these rulers had received the ministry of John, which was also from the prophets of the Old Testament, they would have received the message of Christ Jesus.
John had preached the truth but these rulers had allowed John to be killed by Herod.
How are we going to act when the governments of this world take our Pastors and our Preachers of the truth and lock them behind bars for preaching and teaching the truth. Are we going to stand with them or are we going to be as these false teachers of Israel and give in to their evilness. It's coming soon to America and already in a lot of this world. We need to decide now. In fact we should have made that decision the day we got saved!
It is a basic principle of Christian living that we cannot learn new truth if we do not obey what God has already taught us!
Joh 7:16 Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.
Joh 7:17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.
Joh 7:18 He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.
The message of John was rejected so Jesus could not impart any knew truth. We live, breath and die by God's Word. God gives us the freedom to choose but when we choose His way then we must walk in His way.
Christ Jesus was and is the King, the Messiah, the Son of God and He was about His Father's business. That was His authority and it still is!
The Church has this same authority as God's children.
Jesus began to teach His disciples in full view of these men.
1.) These Pharisees and elders claimed to be sons of the kingdom simply because they were the children of Abraham. If we go back to the Book of Genesis we can find that Palestine is full of the descendants of Abraham even in our day.
Jesus teaches us that sonship comes from obedience!
This parable that begins at verse 28 gives us the true meaning of "repentance". It is one of the best examples of true repentance throughout all the scriptures.
True repentance begins when we change our direction (Vs 29) and go in the direction that God tells us to go, thus obeying God's Word. Repentance is not just feeling sorry for the wrong we did. Repentance takes an action on our part, a physical action that can be seen by others. This is the first act of witnessing and it should begin the very first day of our salvation and be noticeable to others especially those that are lost. If they can see no difference in our lives they will never be believers.
Jesus Christ had demonstrated that He was willing to accept all sinners, "whosoever", into His family. These leaders of Israel would not even admit that they were sinners and therefore they refused to come to Him for salvation. This is still the same story throughout this world.
Luk 5:27 And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me.
Luk 5:28 And he left all, rose up, and followed him.
Luk 5:29 And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them.
Luk 5:30 But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners?
Luk 5:31 And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick.
Luk 5:32 I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
*****Our Text:
Mat 21:33 Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country:
Mat 21:34 And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it.
Mat 21:35 And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another.
Mat 21:36 Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise.
Mat 21:37 But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son.
Mat 21:38 But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance.
Mat 21:39 And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him.
Mat 21:40 When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen?
Mat 21:41 They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons.
2.) Jesus Christ will now teach the consequence of the Nation of Israel's rejection of Him as the Messiah.
The proof of this parable lies in the prophetic word of Isaiah:
Isa 5:1 Now will I sing to my wellbeloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard. My wellbeloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill:
Isa 5:2 And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a winepress therein: and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes.
Isa 5:3 And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem, and men of Judah, judge, I pray you, betwixt me and my vineyard.
Isa 5:4 What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes?
Isa 5:5 And now go to; I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard: I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up; and break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down:
Isa 5:6 And I will lay it waste: it shall not be pruned, nor digged; but there shall come up briers and thorns: I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it.
Isa 5:7 For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry.
Jesus reminded these men of God's goodness.
a.) He had delivered them out of Egypt.
b.) He had given them the rich land of Palestine.
c.) He had given them material and spiritual blessings untold.
d.) He had sent His prophets from time to time to receive of their fruit.
They had rejected the prophets.
What should God do?
He could have sent His armies to destroy these wicked men But:
He sent His Own Son!
Heb 1:2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
Heb 1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
Heb 1:4 Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. Heb 1:2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
Heb 1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
Heb 1:4 Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
His Son was not received but was cast out of the vineyard and killed:
Heb 13:12 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, [suffered without the gate].
Heb 13:13 Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.
Jesus reminded these men who this parable was about:
Psa 118:22 The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.
Psa 118:23 This is the LORD'S doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.
*****Our Text:
Mat 21:42 Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?
Mat 21:43 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.
Mat 21:44 And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.
Mat 21:45 And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them.
Mat 21:46 But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet.
Jesus then opens to them the prophecy of Daniel:
Dan 2:34 Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces.
Dan 2:45 Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.
In the Old Testament, God is referred to as a "Rock":
Deu 32:4 He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.
Jesus Christ was the stumbling stone to Israel:
Isa 8:13 Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.
Isa 8:14 And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
Isa 8:15 And many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken.
Isa 8:16 Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples.
Isa 8:17 And I will wait upon the LORD, that hideth his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him.
Isa 8:18 Behold, I and the children whom the LORD hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion.
Rom 9:32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;
Rom 9:33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
They refused to believe:
Paul wrote:
1Co 1:23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
1Co 1:24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
Israel rejected the Messiah but in that rejection and His death and Resurrection, He created the Church.
To the Church, Jesus is the foundation stone, the corner stone:
Eph 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
Eph 2:21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
Eph 2:22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
The Church is now full of "living stones" of God:
1Pe 2:4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,
1Pe 2:5 Ye also, [as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house], an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
At the end of this Church Age Jesus will come as the smiting stone:
Dan 2:34 Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces.
At the second coming of Christ all governments will be destroyed and King Jesus will rule just as He has told these Pharisees and elders of Israel:
1Pe 2:6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
1Pe 2:7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
1Pe 2:8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
1Pe 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
1Pe 2:10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
Jesus separates these two events by the Church Age. The time that we now live in. This time will not last much longer!
When the chief priests and elders heard this parable they realized that Jesus has spoken of them.
Is Jesus speaking to you today? If so all He ask us to do is believe on Him and His Word of Truth.
Let's Pray!
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