Matthew 21:18 - 22:14 Rejection that leads to reversal…

Last time Jesus rode on a donkey in to Jerusalem as the humble coming king, cleansed the temple and left… But today might be the day? Could it be what was the disciples thinking as they started to go towards Jerusalem? [Have you ever been hungry? Then you have experienced something Jesus also experienced.

We see Jesus’ humanity, he is hungry, so when Jesus the uncrated one, threw him all things was made, and last week we celebrating his coming to earth, he is hungry. (So what do you thing about that or did you ever?). Jesus knows what it means to be hungry. And tired, sad, he knows what it is like to be human].

Jesus curses the tree, and it dies at once, it withers in front of the disciples eyes, they are amazed, Jesus takes the opportunity to recap his teaching on prayer, with a language full of pictures as we have read before, this time as before (Matt. 17:20) he talks to the disciples that if they have faith, and don’t doubt nothing will be impossible for them, (But then again they will not be able to get whatever they want, it will be under the guidance of God, they did not get the seats besides Jesus in the kingdom). Verse 22. Jesus is back to talk about faith and the great role it plays in our everyday lives, there was much focus on this in the beginning of Matthews gospel, where Jesus healed people that have faith to be healed and even said let it be done to you as you have faith, and this faith it what Matthew and Jesus contrast with the unbelief of the religious elite and chief priests, and the people of Nazareth and the others that reject Jesus, Jesus did many things where it was not based on the peoples faith, feeding of the people, casting out the demon, and more. But Jesus is now teaching the disciples again, and using the death of the fig tree about faith as he did before. The encouragement to trust in God, and have faith in him, in Jesus name, and if they do then all that God has for them is possible, - The casting the mountain in to the sea, is a picture of that. It would not be a good idea to do that many people would get hurt and so on, and it might not have anything to do with what Jesus is asking us to do. (it is a picture – But Peter did walk on water).

What do you think about this? That if we have faith and does not doubt, God will we will get if we have faith? What is good? What is the challenge?

What can cause abuse? Or misunderstandings of faith and the gospel? It is about God’s glory, and what we are created for to serve him, and enjoy and worship Jesus by the holy spirt, therefore there are many things that would not make sense to pray for, because it would not bring us to God, or accomplish what Jesus has for us.

But Jesus is getting at the attitude that we come to God with, in prayer, that for God all is possible but do we believe that? Jesus does. And Gabriel.

Who’s Authority -Rejection of John and Jesus = Rejection of the leaders.

In 23 Jesus goes back to the temple where he chased out the people the day before, as Jesus is teaching, he is confronted by the chief priests and the elders, they may have talked together after Jesus left the temple the day before to figure out how to handle him, if he would show up again. The ask Jesus to give an account or explain by that authority and who gave him authority to do what he does. (Who allowed you to teach in the temple?). (This is a fun question, because Jesus was eternally with God and is God, and his authority is challenged by people that are taking advantage /abusing the very system that was to lead to himself).

Jesus in a typical Jewish way does not answer the question but posts a question to them, that gives the answer, but they will not receive it… Was Johns baptizem from heaven or from man? (This is a question full of grace as we see they will know the right answer, but will not believe and they will give a none answer). The why did you not believe? Was a change to repent and listen to Jesus, - the fear of the people, showed they were willing to have the people believe things that they did not believe, not the job they had as leaders and shepherds of Gods people. Instead, they lie and answer we don’t know, - Jesus respond then I will not tell you by what authority I am doing these things. But then Jesus tells them 3 stories – parables where he will be clear about what happens to people that reject John and Him. (They will be rejected by God). The first story is simple, a father has 2 sons, the father asks the sons to go work in the vineyard, the first son said no I will not… But changes his mind and went and did what his father had asked.

The other said yes, but did not do it. Jesus then asked them who did the fathers will? The first…

Jesus then explains to them how, prostitutes and tax collectors (Like Matthew) get to go in to the kingdom of heaven, because they repented at johns preaching, the wanted to go the way john pointed he came in the way of righteousness, - Then Jesus said you did not repent even after you saw that people changed their lives. The leaders still did not change their minds towards John and believe. You will not enter… The ones that were in religious power, guides of the people, they did not change, did that show they were really serving them self? More that God and the people? The had leaves but no fruit?

As if the first parable was not enough, Jesus tells them another one. The one is even more full of judgment.

The wicked tenants, beat, kill, stoned, the master servants, he even sends his son in verse 38. But they kill him to get all the inheritance. Jesus asks another question: what will the master do when he comes to the tenants? And the respond rightly – He will put to them to a miserable death (not just death), and give the vineyard to others, - that is the right answer. Jesus responds with have you ever read in the scriptures (5 time), from Psalm 118: that the builders had rejected the cornerstone, this was the lords doing and it Is marvelous in our eyes. You might say, I am not sure what you mean Jesus, then it is good that Jesus explains what he means, 43, the kingdom of God will be taken from you, and given to people producing its fruit.And the judgement, if you fall on this stone you will be broken in pieces, and if it falls on some one it will crush him. Now the Chief priests and Pharisees hear this they knew that Jesus was talking about them, and they wanted to arrest him, but they feared the crowed because they held him to be a prophet.

In the 3 parable, A king is giving a weeding feast for his son, he sends servants to call the inteted people to come to the weeding feast. – But they would not come…. What… He sends other servants explaining that all is ready, come to the weeding feast. The response in 5-6 is the same, they paid no attention and went on with their own business, and others killed the servants after treating them badly. Then I verse 7 as a commentator wrote the king sends his troops as the feast is getting cold and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. (Rejection of Jesus and the destruction of Jerusalem). Verse 8 all is ready but the invited were not worthy. Go invite all you can find, on the roads. And they did and the hall was filled with guests. The king comes to the party and finds a man who does not have the right garment on, and asks how he got in to the party? He could not respond. Then the king has him bound hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness… The place Jesus has talked about before where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 14 For many are called but few are chosen, Jesus is clear a rejection of John is a rejection of Him, and that lead the leaders to kill Jesus, a rejection of the one that came to save them. But the sinners and people in need, repented and believed John and Jesus…

Saying and doing religious deeds/rituals even “good” works for selfish reasons, and with no love and honor for God, saying we are Christian’s does not make us Christians. If we and others find no fruit, then we are not part of Gods people. The same if we are about building our own kingdom, living for our self, then judgment and hell is real and our future. But Jesus is waring the leaders turn, back, start living for God, believe John and believe in me. What about you? Is there fruit in your life? (The vine makes the fruit) What is the focus in your life? What brings you joy? Who do you live for? Great news for the sinner and gentile