Good morning. What a relatively beautiful day yesterday! No rain!!
I picked up my riding mower yesterday and got to use it. Some tire marks in the lawn from the wetness, but I did my whole lawn in a few hours. I have been using a push mower for the last few months-- about an hour or two a day!
Sherri has off today- so maybe a trip to the zoo with the kid!!
Several of you had questions about v 16 from yesterday, "So the last shall be first and the first shall be last." (NASB, NRSV, NCV); some translations add in "many will be called but few will be chosen" (KJV, NKJV). Interesting that that line isn't in all translations! "The last shall be first" refers to the Gentiles eventually being chosen while the Jews reject the message of Jesus ("the first shall be last"). "Many called...few chosen" can be interpreted as many will hear the message ("called by the Word"), yet not everyone will obey that message ("chosen"). Another interpretation is that many will come to the kingdom ('be called") yet only a few will be given positions of authority or be upper level based on their specific skill set (preacher, administrator, deacon, etc...). There is always work to do (many called) but there also has to be some oversight (the chosen). I hope that helps some!
Chapter 21 begins with Jesus entering Jerusalem for his final time- so we are entering Holy Week in this chapter. Jesus knew what was going to happen this final week, yet he came to Jerusalem anyway! How do we like facing things we know are going to turn out bad? Jesus, contrary to his last several requests and conversations, is planning on entering Jerusalem humbly yet very publicly- it was Passover and Jerusalem was packed with locals and travelers; prior to this he would tell everyone to not say a word- yet now he plans a triumphant entry (although on a donkey). The disciples go and get the colt as instructed by Jesus. I wonder what they were thinking?
As Jesus enters, the people lie branches on the ground and wave them in the air. Palm branches were symbolic of victory and success; the people shouted "Hosanna" (translated as "save us") was used as kings went into battle and as they returned victoriously.t The people were looking for a victory of a different fashion. Do we get as excited as these people did when we are in the presence of Christ?
Upon entry to Jerusalem, the whole city was filled with excitement (v 10), yet earlier when the magi came to see the child Jesus, the whole city was terrified (Matthew 2:3)! However, in a few days, they will be shouting, "Crucify him!" What happened?
Jesus' first "event" is the temple "cleansing" (vv 12- 17). Interesting to note that this happens early in Jesus' ministry in john (2:13-22). The merchants were kicked out as they were cheating the visitors and selling them overpriced animals for sacrifice and "temple coins" (with approval by the Pharisees). Jesus even drove out the buyers- they were just as guilty for making the Temple into a place of business (v 13), This place was located in the outer court, where the Gentiles were allowed to come and pray, so they were limited in their ability to worship their god. How do we prevent "others" from coming to worship?
Even with all this going on, Jesus continues to show compassion and others still seek Him (vv 14). He continues to be Jesus the healer, the Messiah. The religious authority, however, wasn't too pleased (v 15). All the more reason to get rid of this guy Jesus! Children have a special place in Jesus' heart- and they are still present here with Him.
They leave to go to Bethany (possibly Martha and Mary's home). End of Day 1 of Holy week.
Day 2 begins with a very hard thing for us- Jesus curses the fig tree because it had no fruits for him to eat (vv 18- 22)?! We know of at least two "destructive" miracles (the herd of pigs and the fig tree) in Jesus' adult ministry. The tree was full of leaves and therefore should have had fruits. False advertising! How many "false advertisers" do you know? Charles Spurgeon (theologian) writes, "The first Adam came to the fig tree for leave; the Second Adam came to the fig tree for food." This parable points to the upcoming judgement of "unfruitful" Israel (and others!) Do you bear fruit?
Jesus goes back to the temple (v 23) and is asked by the authorities "Who gives you the right to teach here?" Jesus answers their question with a question! Great teacher! If they answer the John baptism question correctly- then they will have answered their own question to Jesus; wrong answer and the crowd gets upset at their uneducated response! No answer form the Pharisees, no answer from Jesus!
Two sons, each called individually to do work for the father (vv 28- 30). One refuses, but then decides to go later; one accepts immediately, but then doesn't do the work. Who obeyed Dad? The first son- not so sure about the outside- but they have a hear for God on the inside; the second son- they look good on the outside, but! We know people that fit the descriptions of both of these sons! What matters is living right for God, not saying the right words!
The next parable is about a vineyard and its owner (although the sub-title says "A Story About God's Son" in my Bible). Jesus tells about the vineyard owner preparing the vineyard and then hiring people to manage it (the vinedressers). When harvest time came, the man's servants went, but were killed by the vinedressers! When the son was sent, the vinedressers killed him also- thinking that they would inherit the yard. However, the owner judged them harshly! The Hebrew scriptures often used a vineyard to symbolize Israel, set up by the owner (God) and "cared for" by the religious authorities (the vinedressers). The servants were symbolic of the prophets and the others that came before Jesus, and Jesus was the son that was sent- yet was also killed. The priests and leaders said tat the land owner had the right to kill the vinedressers (v 41)-- but they didn't understand that the parable was about them! The leadership had become so corrupt that there would be new vinedressers (v 41)- the Gentiles.
Then Jesus takes their rejection of the son (the Son) one more step (vv 42- 46). Jesus flatly and bluntly tells them- reject me (the cornerstone) and the kingdom will be taken away. How much more "in your face" could Jesus get?! They had fair warning. Did they change? Would you have changed? We can be broken in humbleness or broken in judgement (v 44). The Pharisees and Sadducees had that choice. We have that choice. Rather than listening and repenting and changing- they become more determined to destroy Jesus. How could hate/mistrust/anger be that strong against a person?
Some tough readings and some tough words from Jesus. Remember- we are in the last week of his life and time is short. Jesus becomes more blunt and more vocal- inciting the Pharisees and Sadducees even more!
I hope you have a great day.
Shalom+
Pastor Paul
Thank you so much for the explanation of vs 16 in the last chapter. That does no make perfect sense!
ReplyDeleteSo in my translation in vs. 4 and 5, it says that Jesus asked for the ass and colt so that it will fulfill what was spoken by the prophet. So many times in the NT it does refer to things that Jesus did or said is to fulfil the prophesy of the prophets. I wonder, did that "drive" Jesus' actions? I can't imagine how Jesus was feeling at this time!
And did the people greet him and shout "Hosanna" not because he was the Son of God but because He was the son of David? And to save them from the Romans? So many people called him Lord, Son of David - and since everyone knew that David was a King - wouldn't it be because of that that they called Jesus Lord and not because they believed Him to be the Son of God? And that was part of Jesus' INITIAL popularity? Well, that and the fact that He performed miracles. I always thought the fig tree was an example to us - Jesus/God helps us grow, gives us what we need, and if we do not bear fruit we will be struck down. But your reference to "bad advertising" gives me pause to think! I try to bear fruit!!
I love the entire dialog between Jesus and the chief priests and the elders concerning His authority and John the Baptist. I enjoy reading the parables again and reading everyone's thoughts on them. It gives them a new perspective.
My niece wrote this in a comment on fb which I really liked "The lion doesn't concern himself with the opinions of sheep!"
Matthew was written specifically to the Jews- so his text is filled with Hebrew prophecies and Jesus is the fulfillment of them. The idea was to convert Jews to "Christianity" and what a better way than to have the prophecies be fulfilled by the Messiah!
DeleteCorrect- the Hosanna was to save them from Rome- nit hell and eternal damnation! HE was an ancestor of David- so that's why they called him Lord- not because of his messiahship.
The fig tree was specifically pointed at Israel too-
I have seen that quote before and very appropriate for the events of Holy week especailly!
Thanks DOnna!
This will be a hard week as we know what is coming. Jesus's death but then his glorious resurrection.(Not hard hard after all)
ReplyDeleteTus version is different than the others we have read There was the donkey and the donkey's colt and m
Matthew says Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the colt was the donkey beside the colt/ Does this represent God being beside his Son and He rode into the city? Why two animals??
Does the fig tree mean the temple as the temple was being used for selling etc and not for god's use and prayer. so it was not bearing fruit?
Jesus is the cornerstone and if we reject Him we will be broken or not be allowed into God's Kingdom Is what I believe this ther meaning of these verses. Faith! Faith! Faith! the most important thing for us all. Yet sometimes so hard to do.
The death is hard- but like you say the resurrection makes it worth the sadness.
ReplyDeleteThe colt was ridden- the idea of peacefulness and unbrokenness is the image that Matthew is trying to put out there. Good question/. analogy of the colt and the adult animal? Possibly!
Fig tree could represent the temple- but more likely Israel and its lack of support for the prophets and Jesus
Good point Clara! Thanks!