Prophecy from the Mount of Olives (Matthew 24)

Let’s look at an often misunderstood prophecy in Matthew 24. Before studying it, let’s consider the four major views.

Preterism (or past fulfillment) believes that all such prophecies were fulfilled around 70 AD. Historicism (or present ongoing fulfillment) is a view that these events are fulfilled throughout the history of the church. Futurism (or future fulfillment) teaches that these prophecies will be fulfilled just before the return of Christ. And finally, there is a view that in many ways combines them all (past, present and future), called variously the spiritual, idealist or symbolic view.

How does this prophecy begin? Was it fulfilled in 70 AD with the Siege of Jerusalem or was that just a forerunner to later prophecies?

Now Jesus left the temple and was going away. His disciples came to point out to him the temple buildings. He responded, “Do you see all these things? I assure that no stone will be left on another. Everything will be demolished.” (Matthew 24:1-2 CEB)

What are the basic questions this prophecy answers? This is often called the Olivet Prophecy because Jesus was on the Mount of Olives.

Later, as Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, his disciples came to him in private and asked, “When will this happen? What will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the world [age]?” (Matthew 24:3 CEV)

Don’t be Led Astray

From politics to religion have many claimed that they are the anointed one, the Christ, the Messiah?

And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. (Matthew 24:4-5 ESV)

How vague or non-specific are these next comments? Is that deliberate?

You are going to hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, because these things must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these events are the beginning of birth pains. (Matthew 24:6-8 HCSB)

Is this just the beginning of troubles?

All these are the beginning of sorrows [birth pains]. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. (Matthew 24:8-9 KJV)

Have these things long been happening?

And many false prophets will rise up and mislead many people. And because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will become cold. (Matthew 24:11-12 NASB)

Stand Firm

When is salvation fully complete, as soon as one confesses Christ or after a life of endurance? Is eternal security, or the “once saved always saved” view, weak on this point?

but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. (Matthew 24:13 NIV)

When will the end come? Are preterist and historicist views weak on this point?

And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come. (Matthew 24:14 NLT)

Was this next prophecy fulfilled by Antiochus Epiphanes, who put idols in the holy place, or had many priests already defiled the temple with their hypocrisy and money making scams? Is there possibly a yet future symbolic fulfillment of this prophecy?

When, therefore, you see the abomination of desolation, which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), (Matthew 24:15 WEB cp. Daniel 9:27; 11:31; 12:11)

Is there a certain sense of urgency in this prophecy coming to pass? Would city gates be shut and Jews possibly persecute those who fled on a long journey on the Sabbath?

then those in Judea must escape to the mountains. Those on the roof shouldn’t come down to grab things from their houses. Those in the field shouldn’t come back to grab their clothes. How terrible it will be at that time for women who are pregnant and for women who are nursing their children. Pray that it doesn’t happen in winter or on the Sabbath day. (Matthew 24:16-20 CEB)

Have there been historic times of great tribulation? Are Christians in some nations like North Korea and Afghanistan suffering great tribulation today? When it says nobody would be saved could that indicate worldwide tribulation?

For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. (Matthew 24:21-22 ESV)

Don’t Believe It

Is it judgmental to avoid false prophets and discern deceptive, false miracles?

If anyone tells you then, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘Over here!’ do not believe it! False messiahs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. Take note: I have told you in advance. So if they tell you, ‘Look, He’s in the wilderness!’ don’t go out; ‘Look, He’s in the inner rooms!’ do not believe it. (Matthew 24:23-26 HCSB)

Is Jesus’ return associated with these events? Are preterist and historicist views weak on this point? Will Christ’s return be as sudden, dazzling and unexpected as a flash of lightning?

For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. (Matthew 24:27 KJV)

What do these signs indicate?

Just as the gathering of vultures shows there is a carcass nearby, so these signs indicate that the end is near. (Matthew 24:28 NLT)

Has this next sign yet appeared?

But immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory. (Matthew 24:29-30 NASB)

What will then happen to true Christians, the elect, the chosen ones?

And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other. (Matthew 24:31 NIV)

Should we be always ready because we don’t know the exact day of His return? Will these things occur within a generation?

Now learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branches bud and its leaves begin to sprout, you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see all these things, you can know his return is very near, right at the door. I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass from the scene until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear. (Matthew 24:32-35 NLT)

Is predicting the day or hour foolish?

But no one knows of that day and hour, not even the angels of heaven, but my Father only. (Matthew 24:36 WEB)

Will the days before Christ’s return seem normal?

When the Son of Man appears, things will be just as they were when Noah lived. People were eating, drinking, and getting married right up to the day the flood came and Noah went into the big boat. They didn't know anything was happening until the flood came and swept them all away. This is how it will be when the Son of Man appears. (Matthew 24:37-39 CEV)

Stay Alert

Is this more like Noah’s flood taking people away than some rapture theory which says the opposite? Can we predict the day?

At that time there will be two men in the field. One will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill. One will be taken and the other left. Therefore, stay alert! You don’t know what day the Lord is coming. (Matthew 24:40-42 CEB)

Stay Awake

Is this more of a warning to stay awake and be ready than engage in some kind of prediction addiction?

Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. (Matthew 24:42-44 ESV)

Be Found Working

Is the overall lesson of this Olivet prophecy that we be found doing God’s work? Is there a reward for faithful workers?

Who then is a faithful and sensible slave, whom his master has put in charge of his household, to give them food at the proper time? That slave whose master finds him working when he comes will be rewarded. I assure you: He will put him in charge of all his possessions. (Matthew 24:45-47 HCSB)

Is a symbolic view, which incorporates aspects of preterist, historicist and futurist views, perhaps the most balanced? What of lazy Christians who lose a sense of urgency?

But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 24:48-51 KJV)

Is this prophecy deliberately general enough that it cannot be used to predict dates? Does it warn us not to be led astray, stand firm, stay alert, stay awake and be always ready, diligently doing God’s work on earth? Are we? You decide!

7 Woes on Religious Leaders (Matthew 23)

Jesus warned about hypocrisy among religious leaders and accompanying woes. Have we ever heard this taught? Is it just too painful to admit that we church leaders can sometimes be just like the Pharisees? Let’s learn some hard lessons from Jesus in Matthew 23.

Hypocrisy

Do we practice what we preach?

Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, “The teachers of religious law and the Pharisees are the official interpreters of the law of Moses. So practice and obey whatever they tell you, but don’t follow their example. For they don’t practice what they teach. They crush people with unbearable religious demands and never lift a finger to ease the burden. (Matthew 23:1-4 NLT)

What are some false motives for church leadership? Do we love our titles like father, reverend, preacher or pastor?

But they do all their works to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the fringes of their garments, and love the place of honor at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, the salutations in the marketplaces, and to be called ‘Rabbi, Rabbi by men. (Matthew 23:5-7 WEB)

Should we demand religious titles?

But you shouldn’t be called Rabbi, because you have one teacher, and all of you are brothers and sisters. Don’t call anybody on earth your father, because you have one Father, who is heavenly. Don’t be called teacher, because Christ is your one teacher. (Matthew 23:8-10 CEB)

What’s the real problem here, mere descriptions like father or teacher, or puffing ourselves up over others instead of having the attitude of a servant?

Whoever is the greatest should be the servant of the others. If you put yourself above others, you will be put down. But if you humble yourself, you will be honored. (Matthew 23:11-12 CEV)

The attitude of demanding a title or other fawning recognition is not godly. Do we choose arrogance or humility? You decide!

The 7 Woes

This passage is suspiciously left out of the Revised Common Lectionary, a preaching guide. Why? It contains strong warnings for church leaders.

1. Shut Up the Kingdom

Do we shut the door of God’s kingdom in people’s faces?

But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You lock up the kingdom of heaven from people. For you don’t go in, and you don’t allow those entering to go in. (Matthew 23:13 HCSB)

2. Housing the Poor

Do we ignore the housing needs of poor widows and such like, and make long prayers to cover it up?

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation. (Matthew 23:14 KJV)

3. Make Converts Worse

Do we teach our converts to be even worse hypocrites than we are?

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you travel around on sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves. (Matthew 23:15 NASB)

4. Money Hungry

Do offerings mean more to us than holy ground?

Woe to you, blind guides! You say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but anyone who swears by the gold of the temple is bound by that oath.’ You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes the gold sacred? (Matthew 23:16-17 NIV)

Are gifts more important to us than God’s altar?

And you say that to swear ‘by the altar’ is not binding, but to swear ‘by the gifts on the altar’ is binding. How blind! For which is more important—the gift on the altar or the altar that makes the gift sacred? (Matthew 23:18-19 NLT)

How important are our promises to God?

He therefore who swears by the altar, swears by it and by everything on it. He who swears by the temple, swears by it and by him who has been living in it. He who swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by him who sits on it. (Matthew 23:20-22 WEB)

Do we focus on minutiae and forget the essentials of our faith?

How terrible it will be for you legal experts and Pharisees! Hypocrites! You give to God a tenth of mint, dill, and cumin, but you forget about the more important matters of the Law: justice, peace, and faith. You ought to give a tenth but without forgetting about those more important matters. You blind guides! You filter out an ant but swallow a camel. (Matthew 23:23-24 CEB)

5. Greed & Self-Indulgence

Do we look good on the outside but inside is greed and self-indulgence?

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean. (Matthew 23:25-26 ESV)

6. Hypocrisy & Lawlessness

Do we look good on the outside while inside is a dead person, every impurity, hypocrisy and lawlessness?

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which appear beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and every impurity. In the same way, on the outside you seem righteous to people, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. (Matthew 23:27-28 HCSB)

7. Children of Murderers

Are we descended from those who murdered Catholics, Protestants, Orthodox, Anabaptists or other Christians in history?

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous, And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets. (Matthew 23:29-31 KJV)

Do we have a spirit of murder, hating and falsely accusing those who believe differently from us on non-essentials of our common faith?

Fill up, then, the measure of the guilt of your fathers. You snakes, you offspring of vipers, how will you escape the sentence of hell? Therefore, behold, I am sending you prophets and wise men and scribes; some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will flog in your synagogues, and persecute from city to city, so that upon you will fall the guilt of all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. Truly I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation. (Matthew 23:32-36 NASB)

Why did Jesus grieve over Jerusalem?

Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’ (Matthew 23:37-39 NIV)

We are all a prophet to somebody, even if only to our family and friends. Will we take these stern warnings from Jesus seriously, and examine our hearts lest we too fall short like the teachers of the law and Pharisees? You decide!

Love & Taxes (Matthew 22)

Let’s look at lessons on God’s invitation, paying taxes, marriage in heaven and love in Matthew 22.

God’s Invitation

What is our response to God’s invitation? What does God expect us to wear? Let’s look at the Parable of the Wedding Banquet in Matthew 22:1-14. Did many refuse to accept the invitation?

Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come. (Matthew 22:1-3 NIV)

Is this an allegory of salvation, the world’s most important invitation? The king invites us politely. The decision is ours. What did others choose? Did some even insult and kill the messengers?

So he sent other servants to tell them, ‘The feast has been prepared. The bulls and fattened cattle have been killed, and everything is ready. Come to the banquet!’ But the guests he had invited ignored them and went their own way, one to his farm, another to his business. Others seized his messengers and insulted them and killed them. (Matthew 22:4-6 NLT)

How did the king respond?

When the king heard that, he was angry, and sent his armies, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. (Matthew 22:7 WEB)

Were those who refused the invitation declared unworthy? Is this a picture of the invitation now opened to Gentiles too?

Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding party is prepared, but those who were invited weren’t worthy. Therefore, go to the roads on the edge of town and invite everyone you find to the wedding party.’ (Matthew 22:8-9 CEB)

Is the invitation to both bad and good people?

They went out on the streets and brought in everyone they could find, good and bad alike. And the banquet room was filled with guests. (Matthew 22:10 CEV)

What happened to one of the guests?

But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment. And he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ (Matthew 22:11-13 ESV)

Why is appropriate clothing important?

For many are invited, but few are chosen. (Matthew 22:14 HCSB)

We clothe ourselves with Christ (Romans 13:14). When we are baptized we put on Christ (Galatians 3:27). Salvation is only possible in Jesus Christ and those who ultimately refuse Him refuse salvation.

What is our response to God’s invitation? Will we choose the right clothing? Let us accept God’s invitation and those He sends with the message. Shall we wear the right clothing, putting on Jesus every day? You decide!

Paying Taxes

Ought Christians to be good citizens? Is paying taxes a participation in evil acts by human governments? What’s the difference between love and idolatry of a country? Let’s look at the moral dilemma of paying taxes in Matthew 22:15-22. Was Jesus deceived by obsequious flattery?

Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk. And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men. Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? (Matthew 22:15-17 KJV)

It was a trap. What did Jesus say about what they were doing?

But Jesus perceived their malice, and said, “Why are you testing Me, you hypocrites?” (Matthew 22:18 NASB)

Should we Christians always be nice even to those who abuse us? Jesus answered their trap bluntly. Pastor beware! When your new church flatters you, while vilifying the previous pastor, they may soon betray you. If they speak kindly of the previous pastor, they may also treat you with kindness.

Schmoozing can seem encouraging, but beware of the ambush. Jesus was not fooled by their insincere flattery. How wisely did He reply?

Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius, and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?” (Matthew 22:19-20 NIV)

A false dilemma or false dichotomy suggests that only one of two sides is right. But both may be right or wrong, and there may be other options. In an immoral world we pay tribute to corrupt governments AND to God.

Poor Jews often lost their lands to unjust, excessive Roman taxes. They also did not want to serve a false god, Caesar. Roman coins often called Caesar divine or a son of divinity, blasphemous claims which offended Jews. Whose image was on the coins, and what did Jesus say to that?

“Caesar’s,” they replied. “Well, then,” he said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.” (Matthew 22:21 NLT)

Jesus was not asked about worshiping Caesar, but paying taxes. We owe governments for the use of their roads and many other things, just as we owe God for His providence. How did they react to Jesus’ wisdom?

When they heard it, they marveled, and left him and went away. (Matthew 22:22 WEB)

It is impossible to live and work in this world without handling tainted things like money. Jesus’ answer addressed the practical reality of life in an evil world. We cannot change the whole world. Should we begin with ourselves, love our neighbors, and prepare for our part in God’s heavenly reign? You decide!

No Marriages in Heaven

What puzzle did the Sadducees put to Jesus?

That same day Sadducees, who deny that there is a resurrection, came to Jesus. They asked, “Teacher, Moses said, If a man who doesn’t have children dies, his brother must marry his wife and produce children for his brother. Now there were seven brothers among us. The first one married, then died. Because he had no children he left his widow to his brother. The same thing happened with the second brother and the third, and in fact with all seven brothers. Finally, the woman died. At the resurrection, which of the seven brothers will be her husband? They were all married to her.” (Matthew 22:23-28 CEB)

Was Jesus tactful or blunt with them?

Jesus answered: You are completely wrong! You don't know what the Scriptures teach. And you don't know anything about the power of God. (Matthew 22:29 CEV)

What was Jesus’ explanation?

For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. And as for the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was said to you by God: ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not God of the dead, but of the living.” And when the crowd heard it, they were astonished at his teaching. (Matthew 22:30-33 ESV)

Does this also explain who the sons of God were, angels or men (Genesis 6:4)? Is there a love greater than marital love? Will the love we experience for all eternity be so far above marital love, that we won’t miss it at all? You decide!

Love

What was the Pharisees’ question about the greatest commandment? Let’s learn from Jesus in Matthew 22:34-46.

When the Pharisees heard that He had silenced the Sadducees, they came together. And one of them, an expert in the law, asked a question to test Him: “Teacher, which command in the law is the greatest?” (Matthew 22:34-36 HCSB)

Does Jesus’ answer summarize Christianity? When we teach what neither Jesus nor the Apostles taught, are we like the Pharisees and Sadducees? How can any church claim to be apostolic, yet add dogmas not taught by Jesus or the apostles? If he was here on earth today, would we accept him? Did Jesus expound the Ten Commandments or other commandments from the Hebrew scriptures?

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. (Matthew 22:37-38 KJV)

Mark adds a fourth word because the Greek more fully explains the Hebrew word “mind” with two words “mind” and “strength.”

And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. (Mark 12:30 KJV)

This Shema Yisrael (“Hear O Israel” from Deuteronomy 6:5) teaches us to love God with our entire heart. The soul, breath or spirit thirsts for God like a deer panting for water (Psalm 42), a passionate spiritual desire. We assemble with others who love God, pray, study the Bible and meditate on godly things. An anti-intellectual bias contradicts the Bible, because Jesus taught us to love God with our minds.

How much do we love God?

My soul longs, yes, even faints For the courts of the Lord; My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. (Psalm 84:2 NKJV)

Does agape mean divine love? No. Agape does not always mean divine love. It can refer to the wrong kind of love. Men loved darkness (John 3:19), the praise of men more than God (John 12:43), and this world (2 Timothy 4:10). What kind of agape does God expect (1 Corinthians 13)?

Loving God is neither just emotional, nor intellectual, nor just spiritual, but it includes all of those dimensions. Jesus taught us to love God with all our heart, soul, strength and mind and our neighbor as ourselves.

What about the second great command? Do the law and the prophets, the whole Old Testament, hang on the Ten Commandments or something else?

The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ Upon these two commandments hang the whole Law and the Prophets. (Matthew 22:39-40 NASB cp. Leviticus 19:17-18)

The world shows reckless disregard for others. The second Great Commandment is a version of the golden rule (Matthew 7:12). This is so fundamentally important that even non-Christian religions and atheists recognize it as valid (Romans 1:19-21)?

If we say we love God and hate our brother, we are liars (1 John 4:20). If we love our brother and disobey God, we believe a social Gospel (Hebrews 1:9). If we love God with our hearts but not our minds, we worship emotionalism. If we love God with our minds and not our hearts, we worship intellectualism. Let’s look at the Messiah Riddle.

While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, “What do you think about the Messiah? Whose son is he?” “The son of David,” they replied. He said to them, “How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls him ‘Lord’? For he says, ‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.”’ If then David calls him ‘Lord,’ how can he be his son?” No one could say a word in reply, and from that day on no one dared to ask him any more questions. (Matthew 22:41-46 NIV)

Why did David refer to his son or descendant as “my Lord.” The Messiah is divine.

God invites us to participate in a love that is infinitely greater and more fulfilling than marital love. Do we accept His invitation? You decide!

Palm Sunday (Matthew 21)

Palm Sunday brings lessons on the purpose of church buildings, faith, heavenly versus human authority, following through after saying yes, and producing fruit. Let’s review them in Matthew 21.

Palm Sunday

Christianity reveals God’s love. Pontius Pilate is a caricature of the failure of human governments. Let’s compare God’s wonderful government, the kingdom of heaven in the Palm Sunday parade from Matthew 21:1-11. Who set the parade up?

When Jesus and his disciples came near Jerusalem, he went to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives and sent two of them on ahead. He told them, “Go into the next village, where you will at once find a donkey and her colt. Untie the two donkeys and bring them to me. If anyone asks why you are doing this, just say, ‘The Lord needs them.’ He will at once let you have the donkeys.” (Matthew 21:1-3 CEV)

Why did this take place?

This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying, “Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’” (Matthew 21:4-5 ESV)

Does Jesus on a humble donkey contrast dramatically with those who ride gold coaches pulled by thoroughbreds or expensive limousines?

The disciples went and did just as Jesus directed them. They brought the donkey and the colt; then they laid their robes on them, and He sat on them. (Matthew 21:6-7 HCSB)

Worldly leadership is self-aggrandizing and arrogant. Godly 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. Did people think Jesus was a political Messiah who came to rescue Israel from Rome?

And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way. (Matthew 21:8 KJV)

Palm Sunday not only fulfilled prophecy but mocked Pontius Pilate, the governor of Roman 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, a challenge to the government of the day. The world comes with a war horse. Heaven’s king came on a donkey’s colt. What did the people shout?

Now the crowds going ahead of Him, and those who followed, were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David; Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest!” (Matthew 21:9 NASB)

Who did they think Jesus was? What does this foreshadow?

When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.” (Matthew 21:10-11 NIV)

When Jesus returns, He will be riding a white horse (Revelation 19:11-14). Passover pilgrims chanted "Hosanna" (“save now” Psalm 118:25). Let’s welcome the King of Peace into our lives.

Pontius Pilate is a caricature of human leadership failure. Palm Sunday symbolizes the humility of God’s government. Let’s be a part of the future. Join God’s kingdom today. Hosanna! Lord, save us now! You decide!

A House of Prayer

What abuse of the Temple did Jesus confront?

Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out all the people buying and selling animals for sacrifice. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves. He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves!” (Matthew 21:12-13 NLT)

When criticized by religious authorities, what did Jesus say? What did even children recognize that some religious leaders did not understand?

The lame and the blind came to him in the temple, and he healed them. But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children who were crying in the temple and saying, “Hosanna to the son of David!” they were indignant, and said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?” Jesus said to them, “Yes. Did you never read, ‘Out of the mouth of children and nursing babies, you have perfected praise?’” He left them and went out of the city to Bethany, and camped there. (Matthew 21:14-17 WEB cp. Psalm 8:2)

A Fig Tree

What did Jesus do to a fig tree?

Early in the morning as Jesus was returning to the city, he was hungry. He saw a fig tree along the road, but when he came to it, he found nothing except leaves. Then he said to it, “You’ll never again bear fruit!” The fig tree dried up at once. When the disciples saw it, they were amazed. “How did the fig tree dry up so fast?” they asked. (Matthew 21:18-20 CEB)

What was Jesus’ explanation? Do we have that kind of faith?

But Jesus said to them, “If you have faith and don't doubt, I promise you can do what I did to this tree. And you will be able to do even more. You can tell this mountain to get up and jump into the sea, and it will. If you have faith when you pray, you will be given whatever you ask for.” (Matthew 21:21-22 CEV)

Authority

Is religious authority always from God? Let’s discern as we explore Jesus’ confrontation with religious leaders over His authority and the parable of the two sons in Matthew 21:23-32. Did religious leaders question Jesus’ authority?

When He entered the temple complex, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to Him as He was teaching and said, “By what authority are You doing these things? Who gave You this authority?” (Matthew 21:23 HCSB)

Jesus had the highest authority possible, direct from God the Father. Can we discern between heavenly and human authority? What was Jesus’ answer?

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. The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? (Matthew 21:24-25a KJV)

We cooperate with faulty human church authorities, but if they should permit or encourage sin, we submit to heaven. Why did the religious leaders dither?

They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ But if we say, ‘Of human origin’—we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet.” So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.” (Matthew 21:25b-27a NIV)

What was Jesus’ answer? Is refusing to answer a question always an option?

And Jesus responded, “Then I won’t tell you by what authority I do these things. (Matthew 21:27b NLT)

Jesus answered a deceitful question with a skillful question and ultimately refused to give an answer. We don’t always have to answer a hostile question. Under what circumstances may a non-answer be the best answer? You decide!

The Two Sons

Have we ever changed our minds after giving a yes or no answer to a request? Let’s look at the parable of the two sons in Matthew Matthew 21:28-32.

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, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind, and went. He came to the second, and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I’m going, sir,’ but he didn’t go. Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said to him, “The first.” (Matthew 21:28-31a WEB)

Jonah also said no at first. How did Jesus explain the parable to the religious leaders?

Jesus said to them, “I assure you that tax collectors and prostitutes are entering God’s kingdom ahead of you. For John came to you on the righteous road, and you didn’t believe him. But tax collectors and prostitutes believed him. Yet even after you saw this, you didn’t change your hearts and lives and you didn’t believe him. (Matthew 21:31b-32 CEB)

Are we like those religious leaders? What would Jesus say to us? Have we initially said yes but not followed Christ? You decide!

The Vineyard

What kind of faith is saving faith? Let’s look at living faith, its fruit, its evidence and the parable of the vineyard in Matthew 21:33-46.

Jesus told the chief priests and leaders to listen to this story: A land owner once planted a vineyard. He built a wall around it and dug a pit to crush the grapes in. He also built a lookout tower. Then he rented out his vineyard and left the country. When it was harvest time, the owner sent some servants to get his share of the grapes. But the renters grabbed those servants. They beat up one, killed one, and stoned one of them to death. He then sent more servants than he did the first time. But the renters treated them in the same way. Finally, the owner sent his own son to the renters, because he thought they would respect him. (Matthew 21:33-37 CEV)

Does this picture the persecution of God’s prophets? Pashhur beat Jeremiah (Jeremiah 20:1-6). Jezebel killed prophets (1 Kings 18:1-13). Joash stoned Zechariah (2 Chronicles 24:20-22). What did they do to the owner’s own son?

But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and have his inheritance.’ And they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. (Matthew 21:38-39 ESV)

What did Jesus ask the priests and elders?

“Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those farmers?” “He will completely destroy those terrible men,” they told Him, “and lease his vineyard to other farmers who will give him his produce at the harvest.” (Matthew 21:40-41 HCSB)

How did Jesus reply?

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? Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder. (Matthew 21:42-44 KJV)

Did they understand who Jesus was talking about? What did they want to do but were afraid to?

When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard His parables, they understood that He was speaking about them. And although they sought to arrest Him, they feared the crowds, since they considered Him to be a prophet. (Matthew 21:45-46 NASB)

Let’s summarize this passage in four dimensions: literally, allegorically, morally and eternally. Here is a story of a literal betrayal by murderous tenants, but of course, it goes much deeper than that. The spiritual meaning contains three more dimensions. First, this is an allegory picturing people killing God’s servants down through the ages. It is also a moral lesson, suggesting that we also can reject or accept those messengers that God sends. Finally, there are eternal implications for accepting or rejecting God’s servants.

The kingdom of God will be given to a people who will produce its fruit. Are we (Matthew 3:8-10; 7:17; 13:23; John 15:1-16; Galatians 5:22-23)? What fruit are we allowing God to produce in us? You decide!

Matthew 19 (Divorce, Children & Wealth)

Do our churches avoid talking about divorce and money because we are embarrassed? Should children be seen and not heard? Let’s examine what Jesus has to say about these important topics in Matthew 19.

Divorce

What was the question that the Pharisees asked?

When Jesus finished saying these things, he left Galilee and came to the area of Judea on the east side of the Jordan. Large crowds followed him, and he healed them. Some Pharisees came to him. In order to test him, they said, “Does the Law allow a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?” (Matthew 19:1-3 CEB)

What basic principle did Jesus give?

Jesus answered, “Don't you know in the beginning the Creator made a man and a woman? That's why a man leaves his father and mother and gets married. He becomes like one person with his wife. Then they are no longer two people, but one. And no one should separate a couple God has joined together.” (Matthew 19:4-6 CEV)

Why did Moses allow divorce?

They said to him, “Why then did Moses command one to give a certificate of divorce and to send her away?” He said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.” (Matthew 19:7-9 ESV)

Is it better not to marry?

His disciples said to Him, “If the relationship of a man with his wife is like this, it’s better not to marry!” But He told them, “Not everyone can accept this saying, but only those it has been given to. For there are eunuchs who were born that way from their mother’s womb, there are eunuchs who were made by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves that way because of the kingdom of heaven. Let anyone accept this who can.” (Matthew 19:11-12 HCSB)

What if an unbelieving spouse divorces us? Has an abusive spouse also in effect left the marriage?

But if the husband or wife who isn’t a believer insists on leaving, let them go. In such cases the believing husband or wife is no longer bound to the other, for God has called you to live in peace. (1 Corinthians 7:15 NLT)

Divorce is the exception and not the rule. How should we treat divorced people in our churches? Should we err on the side of grace and mercy or judgmental legalism? You decide!

Children

How did Jesus treat little children?

Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence. (Matthew 19:13-15 KJV)

Wealth

Should we keep the commandments? Which ones? Why does Jesus never command keeping the Sabbath?

And someone came to Him and said, “Teacher, what good thing shall I do so that I may obtain eternal life?” And He said to him, “Why are you asking Me about what is good? There is only One who is good; but if you want to enter life, keep the commandments.” Then he said to Him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not commit murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not give false testimony; Honor your father and mother; and You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 19:16-19 NASB)

What could the young man not do? Should we also sell everything, and live in poverty, or was this young man being invited to be Jesus’ disciple and later an apostle? 

“All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?” Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. (Matthew 19:20-22 NIV)

Nicholas of Myra (Saint Nicholas) obeyed this, but did not sell everything at once, rather spending his life giving away an inherited fortune to genuine needs. What principle did Jesus teach about wealth and the kingdom? Is it possible for a rich person to enter?

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is very hard for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. I’ll say it again—it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!” The disciples were astounded. “Then who in the world can be saved?” they asked. Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.” (Matthew 19:23-26 NLT)

What reward is there for the faithful?

Then Peter answered, “Behold, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?” Jesus said to them, “Most certainly I tell you that you who have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on the throne of his glory, you also will sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Everyone who has left houses, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive one hundred times, and will inherit eternal life. But many will be last who are first, and first who are last. (Matthew 19:27-30 WEB)

Should divorce be the exception and not the rule? Should children be seen and not heard? Is wealth just to spend on self-indulgence or to share with the needy? You decide!