Book of Matthew - Lesson 28
(Read Matthew
21:1-22)
Introduction: The first part of the 21st chapter of Matthew informs us of Jesus entering
the city of Jerusalem, just as it had been prophesied. He received a great reception from
the multitude of people (Matt 21:1-9). Preparation was made to fulfill the prophetic
predictions of ( Zech. 9:9; Psa. 118:26). When the great crowd welcomed His entrance to
the city with
such out pouring of enthusiasm and claims, the whole city was "moved" and asked,
"Who is this?" And the answer came loud and clear: "This is Jesus the
prophet of Nazareth of Galilee." (Vs. 10-11). Jesus
goes into the temple and finds something happening there that caused Him to react very
strongly, with great force. He found people buying and selling. He overthrew "the
tables of moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves." (Vs. 12-13). He
charged them with perverting and misusing His Father's "house." It was to be a
"house of prayer," but they had turned it into "a den of thieves." We
are reminded
of a similar exchange that is recorded in (John 2:13-17). Perhaps this is a lesson a bout
misuse and abuse of that which is set aside for spiritual purposes for secular and social
use. He heals the "blind and the lame" who came to Him in the temple. When the
"chief priest and scribes" saw what He was doing and the reaction of the people
crying "Hosanna," claiming Him to be "the son of David," they were
very displeased. (Vs. 14-16). Jesus asked if they had read that "out of the mouths of
babes" there would come "perfect praise"? We see here, as in other places,
that the people in power perceived that Jesus was going
to take over and they fought back. Of course Jesus didn't come to be a political figure,
neither was His kingdom of a worldly nature (Jn. 18:36). He left them and went out into
Bethany, lodging there. The next morning on His way back to Jerusalem, He speaks to a fig
tree that has "nothing but leaves," and it "wilted away" immediately.
This caused the disciples to marvel that it had wilted away so soon. Perhaps a lesson to
be gleamed here is that each one is to be productive: the unfruitful shall be cut
off sooner or later. Leaves indicated that the tree should have had fruit. The opportunity
would be taken away! He told the disciples that if they had "faith, and doubt
not" they could do great things (Vs. 17-22). They were promised that when they
"ask in prayer, believing" they would receive. No doubt here is a great lesson
that we all need in praying: should believe that we'll receive what we ask for, it will be
given. Of course this is in harmony with what is said about prayer in other passages
(James 1:6-7)
Questions:
1. On what mission did Jesus send His disciples as He was preparing to enter Jerusalem
(Matt 21:1-3)?
2. Why was this - sending for the animal --done, (Matt 21:4)?
3. What prophecies are fulfilled in the "king" coming into the city
"sitting upon" the animal--Passages?
4. How did the multitude react, what were they "crying" (Vs 8-9)?
5. What did Jesus find going on in the Temple (V. 12)?
6. How did Jesus react to them buying and selling in the temple (Vs. 12-13)?
7. What were the "chief priests and scribes" so displeased about (Vs.14-15)?
8. What question did Jesus ask them who were displeased with His behavior (Vs 16-17)?
9 Where did He spend the night, and what did He do on His way back into Jerusalem (Vs.
17-20)?
10. What did Jesus promise the disciples about praying (vs. 21-22)