21.8.29a - Matthew 23.32-24.3 - Questions & Answers P1
Notes
Transcript
It’s amazing how being proud is acceptable today. Do you know any proud people? Run through your list of friends and acquaintances and ask yourself if you know anyone who is proud. Maybe they think they know the truth about everything, or maybe they think they have accomplished some great feat. This person believes that they are stronger and greater than they really are. I remember being a child and thinking that I could do more than I could do. I learned how to doggy paddle and thought I was ready for the high dive. I learned really quick that I wasn’t as great as I thought I was. When we think about teenagers, don’t we think of their pride. It’s kind of rare to find a humble teenager. Usually they think they know more than everyone else. They believe that they have everything figured out. We can’t tell them anything. Parents especially struggle with teenage children. It’s like they have learned to tune their parents out.
The Jewish people are proud. When they look at their religious accomplishments, they believe that they are righteous. They think that they keep the law and do everything God wants them to do. But Jesus says they are blind. This is what pride does. Pride blinds us to the truth. These men are doing what appears righteous while having corrupted hearts and they can’t see the problem. This week we will begin our study of Matthew 24, one of the most heavily debated texts in the Bible. But I think that our study this morning will set us up to break the code and simplify this often misunderstood text.
Shocking News (24:1-2)
Shocking News (24:1-2)
1 Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. 2 But he answered them, “You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”
In these first two verses, we see that the disciples are admiring the building for its external appearance. But Jesus doesn’t join them. He doesn’t care about what’s on the outside. He tells them that the whole temple will be destroyed. These words are shocking. At this time the temple was at the height of its beauty. Herod had just finished his additions to the temple to make it bigger than Solomon’s. For Jesus to say that it will be destroyed would seem like treachery. It would break ever Jews heart because the beauty of the temple is the pride of Israel. But Jesus has just pointed out that they care too much about the outside. They need to focus on the inside. God is supposed to be their pride. The temple must be destroyed to remove their proud and stubborn hearts.
Three Questions (24:3-4)
Three Questions (24:3-4)
Over the next few weeks, we will be studying the rest of this Chapter, but before we do, I want to show you how it all connects to what we just studied.
3 As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” 4 And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray.
The disciples wait until they get to the Mount of Olives, but once they get there, they ask Jesus when these things will take place. What things are they talking about? Are they asking about the end of the world? Does that make sense in light of all that they have just said? They are on the Mount of Olives and they have heard Jesus say that he is about to be killed, but also that the temple is about to be destroyed. They want to know when Jerusalem will be attacked and when the temple will be destroyed. But they ask this question in an interesting way. They ask, “When will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” That sounds like a three part question, and some believe that it is. But are they asking three different things? Or is “The sign of your coming and the end of the age” a description of “these things?” What do the disciples mean when they ask about Jesus’ coming? Are they talking about the end of time when they say “the end of the age?” I can’t understand why they would be asking about the end of time. Jesus hasn’t said anything about that as far as we have studied. The context has been all about the judgment of the Jews. So it seems like this is about the beginning of a new age with Jesus reigning as Messiah.
Before we go any farther, we must understand the nature of the disciples questions. It has to do with more than verses 1-2 of Chapter 24.
"These Things"
"These Things"
First, let’s figure out what they mean by “these things.” What things are they referring to? Obviously the destruction of Jerusalem, but what else? Let’s go back to Chapter 23 to find out.
29 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets and decorate the monuments of the righteous, 30 saying, ‘If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’ 31 Thus you witness against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. 32 Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers. 33 You serpents, you brood of vipers, how are you to escape being sentenced to hell? 34 Therefore I send you prophets and wise men and scribes, some of whom you will kill and crucify, and some you will flog in your synagogues and persecute from town to town, 35 so that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah the son of Barachiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar. 36 Truly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation.
Back in Chapter 23, Jesus seems to taunt the Jews by saying, “Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers.” This idea of filling up is a common phrase throughout the Old Testament. Filling up is typically a reference to filling up a cup of sin or filling up a cup of wrath. Both ideas tell us the same thing. They are testing God’s limits and asking for God’s wrath to be poured out on them. It’s fascinating that Jesus is commanding them to do what they have decided to do. Why would he do that? This is his way of dealing with the stubborn and proud people in Israel. He speaks plainly about what they are doing and wants to break through their blindness with words of great boldness.
After that, he tells them that he plans to send them more prophets, wise men, and scribes so they can kill them. We might ask, “Why would you send more good people to be killed by evil people?” The answer is that they need to fill up the cup. They need to be completely guilty so that God shows himself to be completely righteous in his judgment against them. God does this a lot.
14 But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. 15 For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, 16 to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?
Here Paul points out that he is speaking the same message to all, but it has a different affect on the different hearts. Some hear it and love the good news. They submit to it with all their hearts. Others hear it and despise it. They go from being dead to being more dead.
16 So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy. 17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” 18 So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.
I also like this text because it reminds us of Pharaoh. Pharaoh was hardened by the message of grace. Remember how Moses kept coming back and telling Pharaoh what to do. Do we see the grace of God in that? He was giving Pharaoh the truth, but his pride and blindness refused to accept God’s help. This is the same thing that the Israelites will do, and this is what many stubborn proud people will do today. Isn’t it sad? God keeps reaching out to help, but they keep rejecting him.
So now Jesus promises that all of the blood of murderers from the beginning of time will fall on them. Abel was first murdered by Cain. Why did Cain murder him? Because Abel was more righteous than Cain. Then, he brings up Zechariah the son of Berachiah. This is new information to us. There was a priest named Zechariah who was murdered in the sanctuary, but he was called the son of Jehoida (2 Chron 24:20-22). This Zechariah is the son of Berachiah. That name matches one of the last prophets in the Old Testament. So Jesus is telling us how that Zechariah died, and he is saying that the blood of every righteous man in the Old Testament will fall on them. He will push them to the point where they are so guilty that it cannot be denied. This sounds a lot like what we studied in Jeremiah. Verse 36 is key because he says, “All these things will come upon this generation.” Notice how all of this sets us up for Chapter 24. Jesus promises a significant judgment for the generation that kills him. But he doesn’t say this out of anger as much as he says it out of frustration.
So I believe that the disciples are asking about this judgment. They want to know when the religious leaders will get their fill of wrath. It makes sense for them to want to know that because Jesus is going to send them prophets and let them be murdered. That will end up being the disciples so that’s kind of important.
“The Sign of Your Coming”
“The Sign of Your Coming”
The next part of the question is an odd one. They want to know what will be the sign of his coming. Why would they ask about a sign that Jesus has come? Again, to understand this question, we must go to the previous text.
37 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! 38 See, your house is left to you desolate. 39 For I tell you, you will not see me again, until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’ ”
Imagine Jesus saying these words and leaving the temple. He knows that he won’t be coming back because the religious leaders will kill him. So what does he say before he leaves? He says, “I was hoping to save you, but you were not willing.” What a sad statement. Their stubbornness and blind pride made them miss the ultimate opportunity for salvation. It’s not Jesus’ fault, but their own.
Then, he refers to Ezekiel 10 to say that God has left the building. The glory of the Lord came into his temple, and left because no one cared. Then, he says that the won’t see him again until they say, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” What does this mean? The statement is a direct reference to Psalm 118. Jesus also referenced Psalm 118 back in Chapter 21:42.
22 The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. 23 This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. 24 This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. 25 Save us, we pray, O Lord! O Lord, we pray, give us success! 26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! We bless you from the house of the Lord.
Is Jesus is saying that they will come to believe what he has told them. It sounds like Jesus is still willing to come and save those who turn from their sin. What an amazing amount of mercy and compassion. This is why he says on the cross, “Father, forgive them for they don’t know what they are doing.” Jesus foretells judgment, but he doesn’t like it. How amazing! All of Psalm 118 tells us that the Lord is faithful. His steadfast love endures forever.
So, as the disciples ask this question, they want to know when the Jewish leaders will repent and have a different attitude. That’s what they are hoping for. They want all Israel to submit to Jesus. They believe that is what Jesus is referring to when he talks about his coming. Some people today believe that the Israel will have change their ways and submit to Jesus before Jesus returns to earth and rules in his kingdom. Jesus’ response will show us that is not what he was saying. We will see that in the coming weeks, but the answer is really simple. You can either say that Jesus came and saved the Jews when they repented or you have to say that Jesus didn’t come because they did not repent. Either way, this coming does not seem to relate with the second coming of Christ we read about in books like 2 Thessalonians because this is about Jesus’ return to Jerusalem. Instead, we will see Jesus answer that he will return with judgment.
“The End of the Age”
“The End of the Age”
Now, let’s look at the disciples third question. What will be the sign of the end of the age? To answer that question, we need to look at the first two verses and understand the significance of them. Jesus says that the temple will be destroyed. Doesn’t that carry with it the idea that an age has come to an end?
So, before we do any interpretive work on the rest of the chapter, we can understand where the disciples are getting their questions from. Now, we must seek to understand Jesus’ response. Lord willing, we will do that next week.
Application & Conclusion
Application & Conclusion
Jesus did pronounce a very serious judgment against Jerusalem because of their stubborn pride. They had the Messiah in their reach, but they rejected him. Eventually Jerusalem will be destroyed like Jesus prophesied. Their sins of self-glorification and pride hardened their hearts to the point where they could not see Jesus. They didn’t believe that they needed help. They thought they were righteous on their own. Is that you? Judgment is coming. Hear these words and tremble at the thought that all the self-righteous will not endure the wrath of God. He opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.
If anyone here likes the approval of men over the approval of God, we need to take a long hard look at the condition of our hearts and be willing to let Jesus take us under his wings of refuge. Those who are unwilling will not be saved.
The Jews probably thought they were safe in their big temple, but it fell. Don’t trust in the beauty of your creation. It will fail you as well. Trust in God.
6 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? 7 The Lord is on my side as my helper; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me. 8 It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. 9 It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.
14 The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. 15 Glad songs of salvation are in the tents of the righteous: “The right hand of the Lord does valiantly, 16 the right hand of the Lord exalts, the right hand of the Lord does valiantly!” 17 I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the Lord. 18 The Lord has disciplined me severely, but he has not given me over to death.
Jesus coming to earth and living as God in human form should be eye opening to us all. But mankind’s response reveals much more about who we are. Our tendency is to choose this world and the temporary gifts it offers over the eternal hope we cannot see. This blinds us and prevents us from finding what we need most.
Jesus sends us all messengers to convince us that he is real and that his salvation is available for the most stubborn among us. Is that you? Have you spurned the invitation and neglected the gift of refuge from the judgment that is about to come upon you? Your Jerusalem is going to be destroyed. Whatever you love, admire, and cling to will be lost forever, but Jesus is eternal. Put your trust in him before it’s too late.