Matthew 21:12-32

Legalism is Emptiness

After a rest overnight in Bethany Jesus once again begins his return to Jerusalem. Jesus looking for food for breakfast from a fig tree. What He found was a tree fully leafed out but no fruit. It can be said it has the characteristics of the parables He told.

#1 What is the message that this fig tree’s story gives us?

Even though the tree looked good with its leaves, it did not provide a harvest. It’s fruitlessness was exposed by Jesus. Just like men who look good on the outside the fruit they bear or do not bear will be revealed and the ones without fruit will face judgement.

What follows after this is a series of teachings and confrontations with the Pharisees and scribes. His first act is to proceed to the temple but in righteous anger he disrupts the commercial activity and replaces it with healings.

#2 Why do you think that it was wrong to provide a market to those in need of sacrificial animals ?

It could be that the commercial activity was within the temple courts, or that unjust practices were involved. Or it really could have been that the commerce had changed the character of the temple from a place of prayer into a place of corruption.

The Pharisees and scribes with their legalistic views had insisted that the people could not use money that had been circulated in society, but had to change their money in to temple money first. Then the people were to use only the temple money to purchase animals for sacrifice at inflated prices. Within the temple people were at the mercy of the men in charge.

The next confrontation of the elders with Jesus highlighted the authority claims of both. elders of the temple asked by what authority He was acting with. Christ’s question in return for their question proved to be a bit of a challenge for them to work out.

Within the temple people were at the mercy of the men in charge.

#3 Their confusion over the correct answer shows what about them?

They were unwilling and unable to take a stand or exercise the authority they claimed to have by answering “we do not know”.

Jesus’ response to not answer them directly but to share another parable confounded them even more. The leaders were like the son who professed obedience but in practice will not do what the Father says. Even when the leaders saw the sinners respond and change their ways still the leaders did not respond (like the disoobedient son who repented and chose to do the Father’s will).

#4 We all have moments as believers where we act like these men and disobey the Father’s will or do it only after being chastened by the Holy Spirit. What is it that makes your disobedience different?

What makes it different is the fact that i have accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior, and I do care about my relationship with the Lord our God.