Matthew 21:23-46

Pray Psalm 118

RECAP

Matthew 21:21–22 ESV

21 And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. 22 And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”

‘Have faith in God,’ ” before going on to the words about the mountain). The words are important and are introduced with the emphatic, “Truly I tell you” (see on 5:18). Jesus is telling his followers about the importance of trust; he puts the truth positively, “if you have faith,” and then negatively, “and do not doubt.” Trust in God is stressed throughout the New Testament (“faith” is mentioned 243 times and the verb “to believe” 241 times); it is often used of a quality of life that brings salvation, serenity, and the like, but here it is related to what the disciple can accomplish.

See also: Prayer—and Faith)

The door is closed to prayer unless it is opened with the key of trust.

John Calvin

Tuesday of Holy Week

Read 21:23-27

V16 leaders try and deny Jesus is son of God

Jesus says HE is

Again His Authority Challenged

“these things” healing, teaching, over turning tables...

John the Baptism was a baptism of repentance for forgiveness of sins

What does Jesus accomplish with this answer to the chief priests and elders?

Does Jesus have authority in every aspect of your life?

In answer to the leaders’ false motives and ignorance, Jesus tells three parables, each of which is a retelling of the story of Israel up to the current generation. In each of the following parables, Jesus is focusing on MOTIVE! What is Jesus central message to these leaders in:

Read 21:28-32 (2 sons)

Parable based on the unbelief of the religious leaders

They appeared holy, good church folks, yet did not submit to Christ as the Messiah, as Lord, as the Son of God that he has said over and over. jesus is not trying to hide this

Prostitutes and tax collectors have all the appearances of the worst of the worst. Sinners, traitors, yet they believed in Christ, walked away from this old lifestyle, and sought first the Kingdom of God

“The fruit of one’s life ultimately proves whether or not one is obedient to God’s message. A person’s actions ultimately prove whether or not he is obedient to God”

Preach the Gospel to yourself

Read 21:33-46 (tenants)

Jesus is focusing on MOTIVE! What is Jesus central message to these leaders in:

Cornerstone rejected

Peter uses is Acts 4:11 and 1 Peter 2:6-8 and

Jewish leaders have failed to lead people so now Jesus talks of us, the Church, a people who produce fruits

1 Peter 2 talks about a people, holy nation, living stones

Cornerstone, first block laid

Those being saved it is “Marvelous”