Prayer for Hard Times

What kind of prayer is appropriate in hard times? Let’s see how prayer includes trust in God’s answer, especially during hard times, in Matthew 21:12-22 and Habakkuk 3.

House of Prayer

Matthew 21:12-13 “And Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all those who were selling and buying on the temple grounds, and He overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves. It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer’; but you are making it a robbers’ den.”

Jesus’ anger was justified because a house dedicated to God, His house was being used for commercialism. Prayer is one of the most important purposes for our church buildings.

 
Believing Prayer

Matthew 21:21-22 “Truly I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ it will happen. And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”

What if we pray and God says, No? Can we learn something from Habakkuk’s prayer? Habakkuk the prophet was possibly a temple musician, a Levite. Tradition records that he was the Shunamite woman's son, whose life Elisha saved. He wrote in the 7th century BC, just before the Babylonian captivity.

Habakkuk’s Prayer

Habakkuk expresses his doubt to God about His plans to punish Judah via an unjust Babylon. God reminded Habakkuk that He will punish evil, and Habakkuk learns to faithfully trust God’s decision. Habakkuk 2:4 “the righteous will live by his faith” is quoted several times in the New Testament.

Habakkuk 3:1 “A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet, according to Shigionoth.”

This is the plural of Shiggaion, only used in one other place, Psalm 7. This possibly implies a wildly passionate prayer, which certainly describes the chapter. This indicates the prayer, like the Psalms, was probably set to music.

Habakkuk 3:2 “Lord, I have heard the report about You and I fear. O Lord, revive Your work in the midst of the years, In the midst of the years make it known; In wrath remember mercy.”

Rebellious people create a passive, cuddly God they don’t have to fear.

Habakkuk 3:3 “God comes from Teman, And the Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah. His splendor covers the heavens, And the earth is full of His praise.”

God was present with them at Sinai, and the creation provides evidence of His existence, figuratively proclaiming His praise every single day.

Habakkuk 3:4 “His radiance is like the sunlight; He has rays flashing from His hand, And there is the hiding of His power.”

To those with insight, the brilliant light and radiance of the sun reveals a hidden secret, the incredible power that created everything in the entire universe.

Habakkuk 3:5 “Before Him goes pestilence, And plague comes after Him.”

God did reveal Himself in this way to Israel’s enemies after the Exodus, including the armies of Sennacherib (2 Kings 19:35). When necessary, God comes to avenge and judge. As Creator of everything, He has that right.

Habakkuk 3:6 “He stood and surveyed the earth; He looked and startled the nations. Yes, the perpetual mountains were shattered, The ancient hills collapsed. His ways are everlasting.”

The mountains and hills may seem permanent, but when God intervenes, a vain and arrogant humanity sees who really is everlasting.

Habakkuk 3:7 “I saw the tents of Cushan under distress, The tent curtains of the land of Midian were trembling.”

This imagery is probably from the Exodus. Cushan may be Cush, Ethiopia. Midian was to the east. At the Exodus, surrounding nations took notice and trembled at God’s deeds.

Habakkuk 3:8 “Did the Lord rage against the rivers, Or was Your anger against the rivers, Or was Your wrath against the sea, That You rode on Your horses, On Your chariots of salvation?”

God wasn’t angry with sea and horses, but revealed His power over creation, freeing Israel.

In Habakkuk 3:9-17 we are reminded of God’s power over the earth, mountains, sun, moon, nations, armies, trees, fruit, fields, and flocks. In this context, verses 16-17, is a lament about prophecies in Habakkuk 1-2 of a future foreign invasion of a rebellious Judah and captivity by Babylon.

Rejoice in God

Habakkuk 3:18 “Yet I will exult in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.”

Despite the prophesied Babylonian invasion of Judah, Habakkuk hopes in God because of His track record of saving Israel from Egyptian slavery. Perhaps he even has faith in a second Exodus.

The Lord God is My Strength

Habakkuk 3:19 “The Lord God is my strength, And He has made my feet like hinds’ feet, And makes me walk on my high places.”

Though Babylon takes us prisoner, or life takes us through calamity, God helps us be as surefooted as deer and walk on high places.

Postlude

Jesus reminds us of the importance and power of prayer. Habakkuk teaches us that God will save us even from punishment. Habakkuk also teaches us that singing songs of faith is itself an act of faith.

New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation

Nah-Yeah

How do we answer hostile questions about our faith? How do we know where the authority of God resides? Is the authority of God in our lives? Let’s explore Jesus’ confrontation with religious leaders over His authority and the parable of the two sons in Matthew 21:23-32.

Authority

Matthew 21:23 Now when He came into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people confronted Him as He was teaching, and said, “By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority?”

What education or formal recognition did Jesus have? As God with us, is Jesus handcuffed by human authority or traditions? Of course He had the highest authority possible, direct from God the Father. Can we discern between heavenly and human authority? Jesus’ answer was a question and a parable.

Matthew 21:24-25 But Jesus answered and said to them, “I also will ask you one thing, which if you tell Me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things: The baptism of John—where was it from? From heaven or from men?” And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’”

The church is a mixture of human and divine authority. Human authority in the church is always faulty. Jesus did not receive authority from men, but from our Father in heaven. We cooperate with faulty human church authorities, but if they should permit or encourage sin, we submit to heaven.

Matthew 21:26-27 “But if we say, ‘From men,’ we fear the multitude, for all count John as a prophet.” So they answered Jesus and said, “We do not know.” And He said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

Jesus answered a deceitful question with a skillful question. When they could not answer, Jesus also refused to give an answer. We don’t always have to answer a hostile question. Sometimes a non-answer is the best answer.

Nah-Yeah or Yeah-Nah

Matthew 21:28-29 “But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go, work today in my vineyard.’ He answered and said, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he regretted it and went.”

The prophet Jonah also said no at first, but prophesied to an ancient nation that shockingly repented. God blessed that nation spiritually in later history for this. Their descendants became Christians, most notably the Assyrian Church of the East, an independent church founded by the Apostles Thomas, Bartholomew and Thaddeus.

Christian living proves a change of heart. Faith without works is dead (James 2:14-26). As the son who said yeah-nah, some say yes to the Word of God, but no to living as Christ. Others say nah-yeah, initially saying no to God’s Word, then yes as their faith grows.

Matthew 21:30-31 “Then he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said, ‘I go, sir,’ but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said to Him, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you.”

Jesus told religious leaders, sinners would enter the kingdom before them. The yeah-nah son represents people who say yes to God then disobey. If even church bishops disobey God, their authority is void. What would Jesus say to us? Have we initially said yes but ignored the way of righteousness?

Relent and Believe

Matthew 21:32 “For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him; but tax collectors and harlots believed him; and when you saw it, you did not afterward relent and believe him.”

The way of righteousness is through faith in the authority of Jesus. Jesus was speaking of the nay-saying of the religious leaders of that time. They refused their Messiah. Do we doubt kingdom authority when confronted with it? Do we prefer following the ideas of the world instead of Jesus?

Sometimes the best answer is no answer or a warning. The kingdom of heaven is where heaven rules. Have we said yeah-nah, saying yes, but then no to believing God’s Word? Or, have we said nah-yeah, initially saying no, but then coming to obedient faith in God and His Word?

Readings

Exodus 17:1-7 Do we tempt the Lord, saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?”

Revelation 2:1-7 Can a church that has lost its first love repent?

Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16 Do we incline our ears to the words of God’s mouth?

Matthew 21:23-32 in Rhyme
-
Certain Jews with seniority
Asked about Christ’s authority
He said, I have a question then
Was John sent by heaven or men?
-
Because of public opinion
They would not answer the question
And as they refuse to comment
He won’t tell of His endorsement
-
A farmer asked his sons to work
The first said nah-yeah with a jerk
The second said yeah-nah to him
Each changing his mind on a whim
-
Which one did as his father asked?
The one who obeyed at the last
Tax collectors and harlots do
The will of God long before you

-

Save us Now

Christianity reveals God’s love. Pontius Pilate is a caricature of human failure to govern itself. Let’s compare human governments with God’s wonderful government, the kingdom of heaven. Let’s look at the Palm Sunday parade from Matthew 21:1-11.

Matthew 21:5 “Tell the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your King is coming to you, Lowly, and sitting on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey.’ ”

As Jesus had calmed the storm, he calmed an unbroken colt. Life can be like a wild colt, untamed and unpredictable. If we let Jesus take the reins, He’ll calm things down. Contrast the arrival of Jesus in Jerusalem on a colt with this world’s leaders and their expensive rides.

The old world order is over. The new kingdom is here preparing a people. Old world leadership is self-aggrandizing and arrogant. New world leadership is self-effacing and humble. The colt symbolizes a new day for humanity, a change in leadership style. Those who change will join Jesus at his return.

Matthew 21:8 And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road.

Palm Sunday mocked Pontius Pilate, the governor of Judea (which included historic Judea, Samaria and Idumea). Pilate insulted the Jews by hanging worship images of the emperor throughout Jerusalem and minted coins with both pagan and Jewish religious symbols. Jesus’ insulting parade could have obtained a death sentence for Him.

History shows Pilate marching into west Jerusalem as Christ entered from the north. Jesus’ procession challenged and mocked the government of the day. The world solves problems with a war horse, and “donkey” is an insult. Let’s rejoice with a Palm Sunday parade in our hearts. Heaven’s king is coming.

Matthew 21:9 Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: “Hosanna to the Son of David! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ Hosanna in the highest!”

Jesus’ parade foreshadows a future change in world power at the Second Coming. Jesus conquered the powers of this world: death, sin and evil. We celebrate the King. Jesus’ new world order has put an end to a world overrun by sin. Palm Sunday remembers a parade celebrating that victory.

Forgiveness of sin is now a way of life. Jesus offers humanity the freedom of life without condemnation. This evil world only had the power to put Christ on the cross. He willingly allowed it because he has power beyond the grave. Our dead lives have been raised with Christ as a new creation where love prevails.

Christianity is a protest movement against all the corruption and greed in our world. Palm Sunday is a success, though not as the world views it. A cross and self-sacrifice is the ultimate victory over an evil, self-centered world. Christians refuse to win by worldly violence but by godly self-sacrifice.

Passover pilgrims chanted "Hosanna" (“save now” Psalm 118:25). The King of Peace brings a peace that passes all understanding. Palm Sunday reminds us we need a new king of peace. Let’s welcome King Jesus into our lives as the peacemaker between ourselves and between all of us and God.

Pontius Pilate is a caricature of human failure. Palm Sunday mocks worldly hoopla and symbolizes the humility of God’s government. Our only hope is God’s rule, beginning in our hearts, and at Jesus’ return. Let’s be a part of the future. Join God’s kingdom today. Hosanna! Lord, save us now!

New King James Version (NKJV) Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Readings for Palm Sunday:

Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 The words Hosanna (howoshî‘ah na) are a quote from verse 25, “Save now, I pray, O Lord” (NKJV). God is building something new, beginning with those who hold His kingdom in their hearts now. “The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone.” (verse 22)

Readings for the Passion:

Isaiah 50:4-9a Words of Christ’s suffering are prophesied here. “I gave My back to those who struck Me, And My cheeks to those who plucked out the beard; I did not hide My face from shame and spitting.”

Psalm 31:9-16 Even in His most difficult hour, Jesus would echo this sentiment, “But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord; I say, “You are my God.” In this hour of difficulty it is a good reminder for us too.

Philippians 2:5-11 In a world where human leaders grasp for more in selfishness, we are grateful for such a King as Jesus. “Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.”

Matthew 26:14-27:54 As we reflect on His suffering, we give more esteem and praise to our King, who endured it all for us.

Matthew 21:1-11 in Rhyme

Say to the daughter of Zion
‘Look, coming to you is your King
Lowly, sitting on a donkey
A colt, the foal of a donkey.’

As that donkey carried its load
A crowd spread their clothes on the road
Others cut down branches from trees
And spread them on the road with ease

A multitude went before Him
Shouted: “Hosanna to David’s son!
Bless him who comes in the Lord’s name
Hosanna from heaven proclaim!”

Prayer for Hard Times

What kind of prayer is appropriate in hard times? Let’s review Matthew 21:12-22 and Habakkuk 3 and see how prayer includes trust in God’s answer, especially during hard times.

House of Prayer

Matthew 21:13 “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer’; but you are making it a robbers’ den.” Jesus’ anger was justified because a house dedicated to God was being used for commercialism. Prayer is one of the most important purposes for our church buildings.

Believing Prayer

Matthew 21:21-22 “Truly I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ it will happen. And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”

What if we pray and God says, No? Can we learn something from Habakkuk’s prayer? Habakkuk the prophet was possibly a temple musician, a Levite. Tradition records that he was the Shunammite woman's son, whose life Elisha saved. He wrote in the 7th century BC, just before the Babylonian captivity.

Habakkuk’s Prayer

Habakkuk expresses his doubt to God about His plans to punish Judah via an unjust Babylon. God reminded Habakkuk that He will punish evil, and Habakkuk learns to faithfully trust God’s decision. Habakkuk 2:4 “the righteous will live by his faith” is quoted several times in the New Testament.

Habakkuk 3:1 “A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet, according to Shigionoth.” This is the plural of Shiggaion, only used in one other place, Psalm 7. This possibly implies a wildly passionate prayer, which certainly describes the chapter. This indicates the prayer, like the Psalms, was probably set to music.

Habakkuk 3:2 “Lord, I have heard the report about You and I fear. O Lord, revive Your work in the midst of the years, In the midst of the years make it known; In wrath remember mercy.” Rebellious people create a passive, cuddly God they don’t have to fear.

Habakkuk 3:3 “God comes from Teman, And the Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah. His splendor covers the heavens, And the earth is full of His praise.” God was present with them at Sinai, and the creation provides evidence of His existence, figuratively proclaiming His praise every single day.

Habakkuk 3:4 “His radiance is like the sunlight; He has rays flashing from His hand, And there is the hiding of His power.” To those with insight, the brilliant light and radiance of the sun reveals a hidden secret, the incredible power that created everything in the entire universe.

Habakkuk 3:5 “Before Him goes pestilence, And plague comes after Him.” God did reveal Himself in this way to Israel’s enemies after the Exodus, including the armies of Sennacherib (2 Kings 19:35). When necessary, God comes to avenge and judge. As Creator of everything, He has that right.

Habakkuk 3:6 “He stood and surveyed the earth; He looked and startled the nations. Yes, the perpetual mountains were shattered, The ancient hills collapsed. His ways are everlasting.” The mountains and hills may seem permanent, but when God intervenes, a vain and arrogant humanity sees who really is everlasting.

Habakkuk 3:7 “I saw the tents of Cushan under distress, The tent curtains of the land of Midian were trembling.” This imagery is probably from the Exodus. Cushan may be Cush, Ethiopia. Midian was to the east. At the Exodus, surrounding nations took notice and trembled at God’s deeds.

Habakkuk 3:8 “Did the Lord rage against the rivers, Or was Your anger against the rivers, Or was Your wrath against the sea, That You rode on Your horses, On Your chariots of salvation?” God wasn’t angry with sea and horses, but revealed His power over creation, freeing Israel.

In Habakkuk 3:9-17 we are reminded of God’s power over the earth, mountains, sun, moon, nations, armies, trees, fruit, fields, and flocks. In this context, verses 16-17, is a lament about prophecies in Habakkuk 1-2 of a future foreign invasion of a rebellious Judah and captivity by Babylon.

Rejoice in God

Habakkuk 3:18 “Yet I will exult in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.” Despite the prophesied Babylonian invasion of Judah, Habakkuk hopes in God because of His track record of saving Israel from Egyptian slavery. Perhaps he even has faith in a second Exodus.

The Lord God is My Strength

Habakkuk 3:19 “The Lord God is my strength, And He has made my feet like hinds’ feet, And makes me walk on my high places.” Though Babylon takes us prisoner, or life takes us through calamity, God helps us be as surefooted as deer and walk on high places.

Conclusion

Habakkuk teaches us that, though we don’t always understand God’s answers to our prayers, Bible history teaches us that we have every reason to rejoice in God, because He will save us from the consequences of our wrongdoings. Habakkuk also teaches us that singing songs of faith is itself an act of faith.

Matthew 21:12-22; Habakkuk 3; 2 Kings 19:35

New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation

A Fruitful Life

Prelude, Purpose, Plan

What kind of faith is saving faith? Is saving faith without visible evidence or a faith that produces fruit?

Let’s understand that Christians carry fruit for the kingdom.

Let’s look at the parable of the vineyard in Matthew 21:33-46 and what God requires.

Matthew 21:33 The Vineyard

In Matthew 21:33 Jesus tells a parable that included a winepress to produce wine. In at least six places the Bible calls wine a blessing from God (Numbers 18:12; Judges 9:13; Psalms 104:15; Proverbs 31:6; Ecclesiastes 10:19; Zechariah 10:7) when used responsibly. A vineyard is a considerable investment of time and money, hence the tradition of a security tower. This purposefully exaggerated story points out the sheer idiocy of killing God’s prophets and God’s Son. What did the landowner want? He wanted faithful tenants to “collect his fruit.” The vineyard is God’s kingdom (vs. 43) belonging to “a people who will produce its fruit.”

Matthew 21:38 The Inheritance

In Matthew 21:38 Jesus tells a story of tenant farmers during grape harvest. “But when the vinedressers saw the son, they said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and seize his inheritance.’” The problem with tenants not paying their rent is not new. This is far worse. These tenants beat the rent collectors and killed the owner’s son in an effort to take ownership. This is about the murder of Jewish prophets and Jesus. This is about the persecution of anyone who threatens ecclesiastical power bases. When we bury Jesus’ words under vain traditions, are we killing the Son to take ownership of the Church?

Matthew 21:39 The Murder

In Matthew 21:39 we read about tenant farmers hoping to seize the son’s inheritance. “So they took him and cast him out of the vineyard and killed him.” The owner is absent. He has not been seen for a long time. Maybe he will never return. Perhaps they delude themselves that they can get away with this because immediate consequences seem far away. Do we think that we can get away with sin? How many sins in the church are committed because we think that God is a long way off? Do we delude ourselves that God is not looking? He may not immediately act, but God is always looking.

Matthew 21:40 The Owner

In Matthew 21:40 Jesus spoke of ownership of property. “Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vinedressers?” God is the real owner. The laws of eminent domain, sometimes called compulsory purchase or expropriation, give human governments rights over property. Ultimately God owns our properties. Our tenancy of the earth has not always been good. The property of the kingdom of God is also in human hands. Both Jews and Christians have persecuted God’s messengers and his Son. We too are guilty of disobeying God. As the current tenants in the kingdom of God, what will He say to us when He returns?

Matthew 21:42-44 The Stone

In Matthew 21:42-44 Jesus said that the stone which the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone. A cornerstone is the first stone laid in masonry construction. All other stones are set in reference to it. Our faith is oriented towards Jesus, not the faulty edicts, confessions, canons, and traditions of mere humans. If we fall or stumble at Jesus (1 Peter 2:8) we will be broken, and if He falls on us like grapes at harvest, we would be crushed. Let’s not reject our Rock, “The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord’s doing, And it is marvelous in our eyes.”

Matthew 21:43 The Kingdom

In Matthew 21:43 Jesus informed certain Jewish leaders that “the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it.” The kingdom of God is future but also has an important present dimension. The Greek word for kingdom can also be translated as God’s rule. God’s rule is always generous and fair. Jesus’ message was of a kingdom both now and forever. Salvation is for now as well as eternity. God can save us out of our present troubles as well as from death. Being saved means a special relationship with God. We are citizens of heaven when God rules our lives.

Matthew 21:43 The Fruit

In Matthew 21:43 we read that God’s kingdom will be “given to a nation bearing the fruits of it.” This follows the parable of the vineyard, picturing former tenants who killed the servants of God and His own Son. We are all replacement tenants. Our role as the new tenants, is to produce the fruit pictured in that grape harvest. God is not interested in counterfeit fruit, outward pretense, man-made rituals, national conceit or meticulous adherence to the letter of the law. That is the flesh. God wants spiritual fruit, the fruit of repentance (Matthew 3:8), love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).

Matthew 21:45 The Tenants

In Matthew 21:45 we read, “Now when the chief priests and Pharisees heard His parables, they perceived that He was speaking of them.” They are the evil tenants in the parable. Ultimately all of humanity has rejected God. Yet, God persists sending His servants. He even sent his Son but we killed Jesus too. Our civilization rejects the love of the one who created us. Loving the unlovable is difficult and loving those who hate you is almost impossible, except with God. God loves us enough to rescue us from ourselves. Our ways are self-destructive. We are incapable of managing this earthly estate upon which we are God’s tenants.

Matthew 21:45 The Application

The ancient Quadriga helps us see the parable of the tenants in four dimensions. The literal, fleshly meaning is a betrayal by murderous tenants. The spiritual meaning has three parts, an allegory of those who killed the servants of God, a moral of how we should act, and eternal implications. Some would eventually kill the Son of God, and the kingdom would be given to others. Are we evil tenants, who figuratively kill the servants of God, and Jesus by living lives of unrepentant sin? Are we the faithful servants? Are we a faithful people bearing the fruits of the kingdom? Are we among those who are being given the kingdom?

Postlude

Saving faith is not a dead faith without fruit but a living faith that produces much fruit. God has given his kingdom to a people who will produce its fruit. What fruit is God producing in us?

Matthew 21:33-46; Numbers 18:12; Judges 9:13; Psalms 104:15; Proverbs 31:6; Ecclesiastes 10:19; Zechariah 10:7; 1 Peter 2:8; Matthew 3:8; Galatians 5:22-23

The Way of Righteousness

Prelude, Purpose & Plan

How do we answer hostile questions about our faith? How do we know where the authority of God resides? Is the authority of God in our lives? What do faith and righteousness have to do with each other?

Let’s explore Jesus’ confrontation with religious leaders over His authority and the parable of the two sons in Matthew 21:23-32.

Matthew 21:23 By What Authority

Jesus’ appearance exposed the abuses of the religious leaders. We are no different. Sin has always pervaded the Church. After Jesus had turned over the tables of the money-changers in the temple and cursed a tree, the chief priests and elders wanted to know, in Matthew 21:23, “By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority?” Jesus had no accredited degree, no recognized ordination, no church building and no clerical clothing. Is Jesus handcuffed by denominational authority traditions? Does he operate also outside of such human boundaries? How can we discern between heavenly and human authority? Jesus’ answer was a question and a parable.

Matthew 21:25 From Heaven or from Men

In Matthew 21:25 Jesus answered a question about his authority and asked, “The baptism of John—where was it from? From heaven or from men?” Religious leaders chose a political answer. Does heaven’s authority reside in apostolic succession, modes of baptism, worship practices or something else? The Church is a mixture of human and divine authority. Human authority can be an outward show and slavery to church politics rather than heavenly deeds. Many religious leaders have abused others with heavy burdens. Jesus’ focus was not on the authority of men, but acts of freedom and heaven’s rule. We cooperate with faulty human authority for unity, but we submit to heavenly authority.

Matthew 21:27 Neither Will I Tell You

In Matthew 21:27 Jesus answered a deceitful question with a skillful question. After religious leaders evaded answering the question about the authority of John’s baptism, Jesus said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.” Is there something about the person who dares to be politically incorrect that is refreshing? While tact is important, so also is honesty. Religious leaders looked for a politically correct answer. The elders were stumped, because they did not want to give the obvious answer. The source of Jesus’ authority was the same as John the Baptist’s, heaven. The implied reply to the Pharisees’ question was contained in Jesus’ question itself.

Matthew 21:29 The “No-Yes” Child

In Matthew 21:29 Jesus gave a parable of a son who initially refused to work for his father, “but afterward he regretted it and went.” Jonah too said no at first. He went to people who are now Christians, most notably the Assyrian Church of the East, an independent church founded by the Apostles Thomas, Bartholomew and Thaddeus. Like the son in the parable, Jonah too said no, then reluctantly obeyed. The “no” child represents those, who have initially said no to God, but reluctantly come. Like Jonah, this too may be a hesitant change as the usual word for repentance is not used, but a word meaning mere regret.

Matthew 21:31 The “Yes-No” Child

In Matthew 21:31 Jesus told religious people, “tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you.” The “yes” son in Jesus’ parable represents pious people who, say yes to God then disobey. If even bishops who began life saying yes to God, end up disobeying God, their authority becomes null and void. Who is right? Most churches agree on the essential teachings of Jesus and all churches contain doctrinal error. Only one authority counts, Jesus. Are we in the right place if we obey God, repent and believe? What would Jesus say to us? Have we ignored the way of righteousness even though we have been shown it?

Matthew 21:32 The Way of Righteousness: Repent & Believe

In Matthew 21:32 Jesus criticized religious authorities regarding John the Baptist. They did not “relent and believe him.” All Christians agree that the way of righteousness is through faith in the authority of Jesus. When Jesus spoke of the two sons, one who said yes but did not and the other who said no but changed his mind, he was speaking of the nay-saying of the religious people of this time. They refused their Messiah. Do we likewise doubt Jesus’ authority when we are confronted with it? Do we deny the power and authority of the head of the church? Do we prefer following our own ideas instead of Jesus?

The Way of Righteousness in Practice

Like Jesus, we do not need to be defensive when questioned or attacked about our faith. Go on the offensive. Ask detractors to defend their beliefs. Speak to people's consciences. Know why we believe as we do. Knowing our faith gives us authority. Living our faith puts our detractors to shame. In Revelation 4:10-11 we read that the elders in heaven “cast their crowns before the throne”. That means that they don’t harbor any desire to place their position or power or opinions ahead of Jesus. They said yes to Christ, and they meant it. Whether we have told Jesus yes or no, let’s tell Him yes now and forever.

Postlude

In the New Testament, living by faith is the way of righteousness. Often the best way to answer hostile questions about our faith is by aggressively asking our attackers questions? Do we know that the authority of God resides in those know and live their faith? Have we said yes to the authority of God in our lives?

Matthew 21:23-32; Jonah 1; Revelation 4:10-11

Yashá Na!

Intro

Christianity teaches that God is love. Jesus showed this throughout his ministry culminating in the epitome of Godly love on the cross. Pontius Pilate is a caricature of all the false gods of the ancient and modern world. Jesus’ Palm Sunday parade into Jerusalem mocks false Roman gods and human leadership and is a symbol of the humility of God’s government.

Goal

Let us compare human failure to govern itself with God’s wonderful government, the kingdom of heaven.

Plan

We will look at the Palm Sunday parade from Matthew 21:1-11.

Matthew 21:5 Jesus the Colt Whisperer

As Jesus calmed the storm, he calmed an unbroken colt. Our lives can be like a wild colt, untamed and unpredictable. But, if we let Jesus take the reigns, he’ll calm things down. In business, if a person does not want to help, bosses yell and blackmail workers with their pay check. We cannot steer a church like a business, because a church is made up of volunteers. Churches cannot be yelled at unpleasantly or blackmailed. People just leave. So, as in all volunteer work, we are grateful for those who help, but we do not browbeat those who do not. We look to Jesus the colt whisperer, to change hearts.

Matthew 21:5 Why a Colt

Contrast the arrival of Jesus in Jerusalem on a colt with dignitaries of this world. One monarch has over 100 coaches and carriages in the royal collection. One is covered with gold leaf, weighs four tons and requires eight horses to pull it. Contrast that with Jesus’ royal entry into Jerusalem on a colt with its mother trailing behind. The old world order is over. The new kingdom is already here preparing a people. Old world leadership was self-aggrandizing and arrogant. New world leadership is self-effacing and humble. The colt symbolizes a new day for humanity, a change in leadership style and those who change will join Jesus at his return.

Matthew 21:8 Mocking Pilate

Jesus’ parade into Jerusalem on a donkey’s colt mocked Pontius Pilate’s proud tradition as a cavalry officer. History records Pilate as a Roman knight of the Pontii family from the central Italian region of Samnium. He was a cavalry commander appointed military ruler of Roman Judaea to police and collect taxes. Roman Judea included historic Judea, Samaria and Idumea. Pilate insulted the Jews by hanging worship images of the emperor throughout Jerusalem and minting coins with both pagan and Jewish religious symbols. Jewish criticism of Pilate made him vulnerable to discipline from Rome. The Jews capitalized on this and Jesus’ insulting parade to obtain a death sentence on our Lord.

Palm Sunday in the Heart

There is historic evidence that Pilate was marching in parade into west Jerusalem with his army to police the large Passover crowds as Christ entered from the north. Jesus’ procession challenged and mocked the government of the day. Perhaps this is why Pilate acted as he did at Jesus’ trial. The world believes that the solution to human problems is a war horse instead of a peace donkey, using the word “donkey” as an insult instead. A world that more than ever disparages the Gospel and Christianity, is more than ever in need of it. Let us rejoice with a Palm Sunday parade in our hearts that heaven’s king is coming.

Matthew 21:8-9 Easter’s World Change

Easter heralds a change in world power. Jesus conquered the powers of this world: death, sin and evil. Jesus triumphed over death and we celebrate the beginning of a new creation. Jesus’ new world order has put an end to a world overrun by sin. Palm Sunday remembers a parade celebrating that victory. Forgiveness of sin is now a way of life. Jesus offers humanity the freedom of life without condemnation. This evil world only had the power to put Christ on the cross. He willingly allowed it because he has power beyond the grave. Our dead lives have been raised with Christ as a new creation where love prevails.

Matthew 21:8-9 Rage Against the Machine

A younger generation once expressed their struggle against evil as “rage against the machine.” Christianity is a protest movement against all the corruption and greed that has destroyed our world. Jesus’ triumphal entry was a real success, though not in the manner that the world views. The world does not see triumph in the cross, but self-sacrifice is the ultimate victory. It is the victory over self-centeredness. It is a victory over all the forces of evil in our world and worthy of a parade. Overcoming is our triumph and must also be like that of Jesus, refusing to win by worldly means with violence but by godly means with self-sacrifice.

Matthew 21:9 Save Please!

Jesus approached Jerusalem with bands of Passover pilgrims chanting "Hosanna" or “Yashá Na” in Hebrew (“save please” Psalm 118:25) to the King of Peace, who brings a peace that passes all understanding. Worldly business, worldly government, worldly entertainment are not there to give but to get. They are there to get our money, to get power over us and use us for selfish purposes. Palm Sunday is to remind us that there is need for a new king, a king who will bring reconciliation between people and between people and God. Let us welcome Jesus into our lives as the peacemaker between ourselves and between all of us and God.

Outro

Pontius Pilate is a caricature of human government and Jesus’ Palm Sunday parade into Jerusalem serves as both a mockery of worldly governments and a symbol of the humility of God’s government. Our only hope is the establishment of God’s government in our hearts and Jesus’ return to save the whole world. Be a part of the future and allow God to rule in our hearts today. Hosanna! Lord, save us!

Good News for the Fruitful

Intro

What kind of faith is saving faith, a faith without works or a faith that produces fruit?

Goal

We will understand that saving faith is a faith that bears fruit.

Plan

We will look at the parable of the vineyard in Matthew 21:33-46 and explore what God requires in his vineyard.

The Vineyard

In at least six places the Bible calls wine a blessing from God (Numbers 18:12; Judges 9:13; Psalms 104:15; Proverbs 31:6; Ecclesiastes 10:19; Zechariah 10:7) if used responsibly. A vineyard is a considerable investment of time and effort hence the tradition of a security tower to watch over the vineyard. That is some background to the parable of the vineyard (Matthew 21:33). Tenant farmers murdered two groups of the landowner’s employees and the owner’s son, presumably to claim the land as their own. This purposefully exaggerated story points out the sheer idiocy of killing not only God’s prophets but also God’s Son. What did the landowner want? He wanted to “collect his fruit” and needed faithful tenants. The vineyard is God’s kingdom (vs. 43) belonging to “a people who will produce its fruit.”

The Servants

Jesus told a parable about vineyards and tenant farmers pressing out grape juice. Historically and culturally it would have been to make wine. Pasteurization and refrigeration were not yet invented. The problem with tenants not paying their rent is not new. This is far worse than normal. These tenants beat the rent collectors and killed the owner’s son in an effort to take ownership. It is an allegory about the murder of Jewish prophets and Jesus. It is also about people seeking to preserve humanly devised controls over the Church and their persecution of messengers of the Gospel who threaten the ecclesiastical structures set up by men. When we place our traditions ahead of Jesus, are we not likewise murdering the Son in a vain effort to take ownership of the Church (Matthew 21:38)? Whose servants are we then?

The Inheritance

One of the strangest parts of Matthew 21:39 is that the tenants think that by killing the son, they can possibly inherit the vineyard. It sounds rather like wishful thinking, or perhaps even self-delusion. The owner is absent. He has not been seen for a long time. Maybe he will never return. Perhaps they are asking themselves what they can get away with because they are far from any immediate consequences. Is that similar to our thinking? Do we think that we can get away with something because God does not seem to immediately intervene? How many sins in the church are committed by lay and clergy alike, because we think that God is a long way off? Do we delude ourselves that God is not looking? He may not always choose to act, but God is always looking.

The Owner

In Matthew 21:40 Jesus spoke of ownership of property. The allusion is that God is the real owner. The laws of eminent domain, sometimes called compulsory purchase or expropriation, give human governments ultimate rights over land and other property. Even land deeds give a person not ownership but tenant rights. Ultimately it is not governments which own our properties but God. We are all tenants of God’s property. Our stewardship of the earth has not always been good. However, the earth is only a temporary home. The more permanent property of the kingdom of God is also in our hands. It is not just Jews who have persecuted God’s messengers and his Son. We too are guilty of disobeying God’s commands to us. As we now become the new tenants, what will he say to us on his return?

The Stone

A cornerstone or foundation stone is the first stone laid in masonry construction. All other stones are set in reference to it. What ought to be the cornerstone of our faith? Many Christians orient themselves towards the edicts, confessions, canons, writings or videos of mere humans and follow people more than Christ. In Matthew 21:42-44 Jesus said that the stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone. That cornerstone of our faith is Jesus. If we fall or stumble at Jesus in disobedience (1 Peter 2:8) we will be broken, and if he falls on us we would be crushed in that judgment day. If we ignore the person and teachings of Jesus, then we have rejected the cornerstone. Who do we allow to set the direction of our faith? Let’s allow Jesus to lead us.

The Kingdom

Jesus informed certain Jewish leaders that the kingdom of God would be taken away from them (Matthew 21:43). What does that mean? We often think of the kingdom of God in future terms and miss the important present dimension. The Greek word for kingdom can also be translated as God’s sovereignty and rule. In modern western democratic cultures monarchs may be despised because of their selfish greed and injustice, yet God’s rule is always generous and fair. Jesus’ message was of a kingdom both now and forever. That means that salvation is for now as well as for the next life. God can save us out of our present troubles as well as from death. When we are saved, we begin a special relationship with God, allowing him to rule over our lives, becoming citizens of his eternal kingdom.

The Fruit

What does God want? We are all replacement tenants in God’s vineyard. Some former tenants killed the servants of God and His own Son. Matthew 21:43 tells of our role as the new tenants, to produce fruit. What fruit? Are we producing the fruit of the kingdom? God is not interested in counterfeit fruit, outward pretense, man-made rituals, national conceit or meticulous adherence to the letter of the law. That is the flesh. God wants spiritual fruit. We can tell a tree by its fruit. Do we produce the fruit of the kingdom of God? John the Baptist told the Pharisees to produce fruit in keeping with a change of heart, repentance (Matthew 3:8). Paul wrote to the Galatians that the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).

The Tenants

The evil tenants were specifically the chief priests and Pharisees (Matthew 21:45), but they are also Christians who reject God’s servants, and ultimately all of humanity which has rejected him over and over and over again. Yet, God persists sending his servants. He even sent his Son but we killed him too. Yes, we have rejected him, and our civilization rejects the love of the one who created us. Loving the unlovable is difficult and loving those who hate you is almost impossible, except with God. That’s what he does. He loves us enough to rescue us from ourselves. Our ways are self-destructive. We are incapable of managing this earthly estate upon which we are God’s tenants. He sent his messengers and humanity killed them. He sent his son and we killed him too. How great is God's love!

The Meaning

The ancient Quadriga helps us see the parable of the tenants in four dimensions. The literal meaning is a story of betrayal by murderous tenants, but the story goes deeper than that. Jesus was teaching a hidden meaning that the chief priests and Pharisees knew applied to them (Matthew 21:45). It was an allegory of all those who had killed the servants of God. It was also a prophecy that some would eventually kill the Son of God. The fourth dimension is the moral of the story, how it applies to us all. What about our lives makes us like the evil tenants? How do we figuratively kill the servants of God? Do we undermine the church and the pastors of God’s flock? Do we also figuratively kill Jesus over and over again by living a life of sin?

Outro

Saving faith is not a dead faith without works but a living faith that produces fruit. What fruit are we producing for God’s glory? The good news is that God has given his kingdom to a people who will produce its fruit.