[:en]SCRIPTURE: MATTHEW 21
Bible Verses:
“The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,“Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!”(Matthew 21:9)
“It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’[e] but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.” (Matthew 21:13)
“Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” (Matthew 21:21-22)
““Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.” (Matthew 21:43)
THE TRIUMPHANT ENTRY (vs. 1-11)
Jesus sent two disciples to find a donkey and bring it to him. They brought the donkey and colt, placed their cloaks in them and Jesus sat on it. A large crowd spread their cloaks, others cut branches from the trees and spread them n the road. Ass Jesus entered Jerusalem, the crowds shouted: “Hosanna to the Son of David!, Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” (v. 9)
JESUS AT THE TEMPLE (vs. 12-17)
As Jesus entered the temple, he saw buying and selling of merchandise there. He said to them: “It is written: My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of robbers” (v. 13). Filled with anger, he overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves and drove them away.
Then he healed the blind and the lame at the temple while the children shouting: “Hosanna to the Son of David”. The chief priest and teachers of the law were indignant.
THE FIG TREE WITHERS (vs. 18-21)
The fig tree pictures Israel. This tree has leaves but no fruits It pictures Israel with its outward show of religion but is unfruitful.
THE AUTHORITY OF JESUS QUESTIONED (vs. 23-27)
While Jesus was teaching at the temple, the chief priest and elders of the people questioned his authority. Instead of answering their question, he replied with another question saying: “John’s baptism, where did it come from? Was if from him or from heaven or from men?” (v. 24-25). The chief priest discussed among themselves and found no appropriate answer because when they said it is from heaven, why won’t they believer in him? And if they said it is from men, they were afraid because the people considered John as a prophet. So they answered him: “We don’t know” (v. 27). So, Jesus replied” “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things (v. 27).
THE PARABLE OF THE TWO SONS (vs. 28-32)
The father told his two sons to work in the vineyard. One son refused but later changed his mind. The other son said “Yes” but did not go the work. The second son is a picture of Israel as a son disobedient to his Father. The first son pictures sinners who repented and believe in Him.
THE PARABLE OF THE TENANTS (vs. 33-45)
The landowner has a vineyard. He rented the vineyard to some farmers and went away on a journey. When the harvest time approached, he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his fruits. The tenants beat and killed them. Then he sent more servants and the tenants treated them them the same way. Lastly, he sent his only son thinking that they would respect him. But the tenants killed his son because they want to take his inheritance. When the landowner of the vineyard came, he killed all of them and rented the vineyard to other tenants who will give him his share of the crop at harvest time. (v. 41)
This parable speaks of God sending many prophets and other servants to minister to Israel. But they mistreated and killed them. So God sent His only Son, and they killed Him. As a consequence, God took their spiritual privilege away and gave their blessings to the Gentiles.
REFLECTION:
- Are you prepared to welcome Jesus during His second coming?
- Is your church a house of prayer or a house of trade?
- Do you have a form of godliness” but never bear any fruits?
- Have you submitted yourself to the authority of Jesus as your God and Savior?
- Are you the obedient son that does the will of God?
- As the ladowner gave the farmers the opportunity to plant and harvest, God also give us the opportunity to work and attain wealth. Do we give to God His share?
- As the landowner sent his servants to the vineyard to collect their harvest, God also sent His servants to proclaim the good news and shepherd the flock. Do you treat them with due respect or do you maltreat them?
- As the landowner sent his son to the vineyard, God also sent His son Jesus Christ to us. What will be your attitude toward Him? Will you accept or reject Him?
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