Matt 21:1-27 — Triumphal Entry, Jesus Cleanses the Temple
Matt 21:28-46 — Parable of the Two Sons, Parable of the Tenants
Matt 22:1-22 — Parable of the Wedding Feast, Paying Taxes to Caesar
Matt 22:23-46 — The Great Commandment, Whose Son is the Christ
Matt 23 — The Seven Woes to the Pharisees
Thoughts about serving others
This link includes a list of posts about Serving the Least, the Lost, and the Lonely.
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Let the Word evoke words. May your life encourage lives.
“When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, ‘Who is this?’ The crowds answered, ‘This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee'” (Matthew 21:10-11). Somehow after reading carefully through the Old Testament, especially after the exile when Nehemiah rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem, the picture of Jesus entering Jerusalem has greater meaning. This is the holy city, the place where so many sacrifices took place. This is where the fortunate were able to reside and all Jews looked to as the place to aliyah—literally, in Hebrew, “to ascend.” It still is to this day. It’s not just a place on the map, there is great significance to the people there. Many ask, why should I study the Old Testament…isn’t it, well, old? This is part of the answer, to understand and gain perspective, to appreciate that which was once lost, but now restored. It’s not so much to over-value stuff or even the place, but the memory of those who have gone before, those who taught us well to honor God, to love our neighbor, this is where that lesson was taught over and over again.
Jesus enters to shouts of Hosanna, but the mood quickly changes when he enters the temple courts. We go to great extents to make sure our courtyard doesn’t look like these courts. Here Jesus “overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves” (21:12).
Our focus quickly turns to the priests. Jesus speaks to them in parables, in stories that are meant to teach important lessons. I believe Jesus was truly trying to move them from hardened hearts to ones which could once again love the Lord, only true God, with all their hearts. But the stories were hard tales of evil and deceit. “When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard Jesus’ parables, they knew he was talking about them” (21:45). They strengthened their resolve to be done with Jesus.
Jesus invites many, “but few are chosen” (22:14). Lord may I hear your stories and respond now, today. Soften my heart to hear your will for my life for your glory!