Matthew Chapter 21:1-22
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Matthew Chapter 21:1-22 (The Entering into Jerusalem)
Matthew Chapter 21:1-22 (The Entering into Jerusalem)
INTRO: So just to recap of chapter 20, we saw Christ and the disciples headed to Jerusalem, and remember we learned the parable of the vineyard workers, we are starting off with Christ and His disciples furthering their journey to Jerusalem. and in this first section we see
The Triumphal Entry, Matthew 21:1-11 (Zechariah 9:9-13; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:28-40; John 12:12-19)
So lets get into it
And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples,
Bethpage means “house of figs” so what do you think grows there?
Fig tree’s
The Mount of Olives was on the East of Jerusalem across the Kidron Valley, and to give a good image, being on top of this mount would give you a good overview of Jerusalem and the temple,
Zechariah chapter 14 gives a pretty good description of this area if you want to make note,
And remember, Olive oil is our oil, representing the cleansing from Christ, the oil doesn't do the cleansing it simply represents our obedience of knowing Christ and understanding His word.
So why is this location and it’s description so important?
because just like the olive oil represents, we get a great “anointing” from Christs teachings here on the Mount of Olives.
So Jesus is sending 2 disciples on a quest, pay close attention to their instruction.
Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me.
And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them.
Just to clarify so there is NO room for confusion, Ass here means donkey, and Colt means a young donkey,
So Christ is instructing these two to go into the village near them, which is also believed to be named Bethany, and find a donkey, and a foal, tied up and to take them back to Him,
And if anyone tries to stop them, they just let them know that the Lord needs them and He will take care of the rest.
So we need to pay attention again to how thought out God’s plan from the beginning has been put into effect. What we are witnessing here is about to be divine prophecy yet again being revealed.
All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying,
Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.
Before we look at the prophecy that is being referenced here, I want to make note that “the daughter of Sion or Zion” is just another way to say the people of Jerusalem,
We see that term used for the same meaning in Isaiah 1, 2 kings 19, Psalms 9, and Jeremiah 4
So keep that mental note, but to show what prophecy this is speaking of, were going to look at Zechariah 9 starting at verse 9
Just a little back history, Zechariah was one of the 12 Minor prophets on the old testament,
He was a priest as well as a prophet, and if you want a very detailed overview of Zechariah the Smiths Bible dictionary does a great job,
But what we are going to be looking at here starting at verse 9 in Zechariah chapter 9 is his prophecy over the return of the King to Zion which is again, Jerusalem,
And it reads,
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion;
Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem:
Behold, thy King cometh unto thee:
He is just, and having salvation;
Lowly, and riding upon an ass,
And upon a colt the foal of an ass.
This is that prophecy being spoken of in Matthew 21, This is the 1st coming of Christ, coming just, meaning in the flesh and honest, being fit for salvation and ideal for kingship.
Coming unto the daughter of Zion meaning the people of Jerusalem, riding on a donkey and a horse.
This was prophesied way before the events taking place in Matthew 21, like we have seen before, these men are witnessing divine prophecy being fulfilled by Christ, that is why Christ tells them not to worry if anyone gives them a hard time, just let the know it is for the Lords work, capital L.
Again showing that this was the ultimate plan of Yahweh coming to pass,
in other words God’s pawns lining into play.
And not trying to get us too far off topic, but I do want us to take a look at Zechariah chapter 9 verses 10 just so we are familiar with it, which is prophesying the 2nd coming of Christ which has not happened yet.
And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim,And the horse from Jerusalem,And the battle bow shall be cut off:And he shall speak peace unto the heathen:And his dominion shall be from sea even to sea,And from the river even to the ends of the earth.
Ephraim and Jerusalem being the house of Israel and the house of Judah, will be cut off meaning their rule will no longer be of importance under the Messiah,
and where it speaks of the battle bow being cut off, this was a common term representing Military power, archers were powerful back in this time so keep in mind this is was just figuratively used for warfare.
Jesus Christ IS peace, He will speak peace over ALL nations. we can compare this to Isaiah 2
He will rule over ALL the earth from sea to sea.
Again this is what will take place at the 7th trump. Christ’s 2nd coming, this hasn’t happened yet.
Going back to Matthew chapter 21, and cross referencing Zechariah’s prophecy ,
I Just wanted us to see that what is taking place here in Matthew 21 is clearly the 1st advent or coming of the Messiah.
And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them,
And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon.
They put on these animals a saddle, saddle bags, saddle blanket, whatever all it was and put Christ upon them.
Keep in mind that the people most likely know of the prophecy of Zechariah, Christ is about to enter Jerusalem in the name of THE SAVIOR, the Messiah.
This event being like the “signature” of that.
And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way.
At first glance, reading this you may be thinking, “why are they putting tree branches and clothing all in the way”
If you wanted to make note, Leviticus chapter 23 gives a great example of what is take place here.
During the feast of tabernacles, they would rejoice and celebrate Yahweh during their final harvest for the year, they would take different limbs and branches such as olives, grapes, grain twigs, palms etc. in use of worshipping and celebrating Yahweh
What we are seeing here is pretty much an exact reflection of that. they were WORSHIPPING the Messiah,
And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.
Hosanna meaning “save us, we pray”
As Christ is riding in, the multitudes are calling him Son of David, which James went over last chapter, meaning the Messiah would come through the lineage of David, being in the name of the Lord, “Save us in the highest way as they pray”
They are rejoicing Him for who He truly is.
And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this?
I see this entry as pretty much a parade into Jerusalem, and the citizens there being like “whats going on who is this?”
A lot of commotion a lot of celebration, and it kinda has the people of Jerusalem stunned.
And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.
You may ask why they call Him a prophet?
wouldn’t that be lower than the Messiah?
remember they are celebrating Him coming with the signature of our Savior of the highest, Son of David, celebrating Him the same way they did God back in Leviticus during the feast of Tabernacles, and now the prophet because Jesus is ALL of the above,
and we can see God’s promise of that right here.
I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.
This is how Christ fought against evil, healed sickness and disease, standing guard against Satan’s tricks ETC ETC.
Not to mention like we see in John 1 14, Christ is the word of God in the flesh dwelling among us,
So Christ is entered into Jerusalem at this point.
This next section we see here is
Jesus Cleansing the Temple, Matthew 21:12-17 (Mark 11 15-19, Luke 19 45-48, John 2 12-25)
What does that mean “Jesus cleansing the temple” the temple was supposed to be a dwelling place for the divine presence of God, a place of worship and spiritual practice, why would Jesus be cleansing it?
Matthew 21 verse 12
And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,
Jesus overthrew the seats where they sold doves, which was the option for poor people to offer over the lamb, which is documented in Leviticus 7.
And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.
Christ saying “it is written” meaning it was documented in the old testament before His time and that this would happen again.
Like we say all the time, what has been will be
Take a look at Jeremiah chapter 7 verse 11 and it reads,
Is this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, even I have seen it, saith the Lord.
God is speaking to Jeremiah about the religious hypocrites that are taking refuge in the temple.
Again, we are gonna see other details written about the temple in Mark, Luke, and John, but here in Matthew, merchants were selling animals for sacrifice and there were money exchanges to convert foreign currency into the temples official currency. These money ex changers even charged a fee for their services,
The people had turned the temple into a business, and honestly the way I see it described is more of a full on flea market for animals.
The temple or in our case, the church, isn’t to be used to make a dollar, it is where the children of God can come together, and worship, and study, in Christs name.
And again, this has happened back in the old testament, this is happening here right in front of Jesus’s eyes, don’t let it be a shock when you witness the same acts happening today in our time.
What has been will be, it is up to us as the body of Christ to stand firm and disciplined to not allow our gatherings unto Christ to become focused on money and Not of Him.
And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them.
Christ has now overturned the “businesses” in the temple and now is performing His miracles there.
This is what the house of God is for, for prayer, for learning, for healing, for worship and praise. not to make profitable income of money.
And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; they were sore displeased,
The people of the temple were calling Christ the savior and the King of kings, the Messiah, and the chief priests and scribes were upset over it,
What happened, is this Man, “meaning Christ” walks into the temple and overthrows the temples money makers, starts performing miracles, and now the people of the temple are acknowledging who He truly Is.
No wonder the chief priests were displeased, because they were corrupted by greed.
And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?
The chiefs of the temple are upset not only because the people are recognizing and calling Jesus the Son of David, but also because Christ never denies this title.
He IS the King of kings and Lord of lords. Our Messiah and the people recognized this through His actions.
We went over this a few chapters ago in Matthew through one of Christs teaching to the disciples, but remember, actions speak louder than words,
Your character and the true intentions of your heart aren't based on what you say you will do, But rather what you act upon and how you act.
I just wanted to point out that these people in the temple recognized Christ as His true self because of His actions, not because He told them who He was.
Towards the end of that verse, Christ response with “ have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?”
Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength
Because of thine enemies,
That thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.
Notice it isn’t documented that Christ quoted the last half of this Psalm, because the chief priests should have known it already.
“because of thine enemies, That thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger”
We have power over the enemy, and Christ shows us that here, He overthrows the enemy, the corrupt ones in the temple, He overthrows the corruption of sin,
Wickedness is planted by who? ‘
Satan, exactly.
And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there.
Bethany again was a town outside of Jerusalem that was about 2 miles away,
You can cross reference in Luke chapter 10 and John chapters 11 and 12 that Jesus had friends here in this town.
The last section we are going to go over today is...
The Barren Fig Tree, Matthew 21 18-22 (Mark 11 12-14, Mark 11 20-26)
After looking at what was taking place in the temple in Jerusalem, we are gonna see in this lesson from Christ being symbolic over Israel and their hypocritical character.
Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered.
And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.
The fig tree here is a metaphor for Israel, and this metaphor is used a lot all throughout the Old testament,
Pay attention to what has happened here, Christ woke up hungry, and came up to this fig tree that was full of leaves expecting to find fruit but yet there was none there, so Christ curses the tree and it withers away.
Israel descendants of Jacob, God’s chosen people, of the old testament,
The Pharisees, the ones that we ,keep seeing come up and try to contradict Christ,
What did they all have in common, they claimed to be the people of God but both kept falling towards the sin of the flesh and self righteousness.
What we see here with this fig tree that was full of leaves but barren of fruit represents this very thing.
and most importantly Faith without works is DEAD.
Your works are again the byproduct or the “fruits” of your faith. Faith is the seed, that grows and produces good works unto Christ.
The fig tree started as a tiny seed, and grew enough to LOOK lush but it never produced any fruit. To the point where Christ caused it to wither away.
you can have faith all your life, but until that faith grows to produce good works, you could be just like this fig tree here, You may look lush in your faith, but yet never produce any good fruits.
And again, this verse is specifically a reflection for Israel and the Jews, but also it gives us sort of an intro for what we are about to learn in Matthew chapter 24 about the parable of the fig tree.
And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away!
Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.
And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
What we are seeing here is not the bible telling us that God will grant the disciples any and every request the pray for just by believing it will come true.
Verse 21 here says
Have faith,
Doubt not,
2nd Timothy tells us
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
So have faith, doubt not, and study the word of God, rightly dividing the truth,
Conclusion
Just like this barren Fig tree lesson,
Our faith is the seed,
studying the word of God, rightly dividing the truth, is the water,
doing these things together will bring forth good fruits unto others as representations and reflections of Christ.
We have salvation through God’s grace and repentance towards Him, but repentance is just the start,
Submitting to Christ again like we have went over before is just the first step, being saved is the starting point,
We are here to work for our Father, and reflect Him onto others,
I want us to read John 15 5
I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
We cannot bare fruit without Christ,
We cannot produce good fruit without having faith and studying the truth, and reflecting His actions onto others around us.
Who is the truth? Jesus right?
He came and gave us a direct example to follow, Produce that good fruit, will we fall short, yes,
Will we sometimes produce bad fruit, Yes,
that is where the importance of repentance comes in,
Ask for forgiveness, move on, and strive to bring forth that good fruit again.
Matthew Chapter 21:1-22 (The Entering into Jerusalem)
Matthew Chapter 21:1-22 (The Entering into Jerusalem)
