Jesus Entering Jerusalem
Jesus comes into Jerusalem riding on a lowly donkey. The people were welcoming His entry into Jerusalem with enthusiasm. According to a commentary by a Pastor, this event was actually rehearsed among the people for years and years and years. It was done as an annual rehearsal which was actually coming true in their day and time. They didn’t realize they were fulfilling a prophecy. We can get caught up in “tradition,” that we miss Jesus’ presence.
Jesus in the Temple
Whilst in the Temple, Jesus ran people out who were stealing from folks and as the crippled and blind came into the temple courts, Jesus began healing folks. Later in the village of Bethany, Jesus displayed His mighty authority over creation by cursing a fig tree which instantly withered away. The disciples were astonished at how quickly the tree became degenerative. Jesus explained that if a person has undoubted faith, they could do the same. Everything we pray for with the fullness of faith we’ll receive!
Parable of Two Sons
Harlots and publicans are compared to the 1st son in the parable who denied his father but had remorse about his wayward heart and repented, thus obeyed his father. The chief priests and elders are compared to the second son in the parable, who thought he was ok with telling a lie and being disobedient. His heart was unchanged and corrupted by selfishness and he had no remorse about his actions.
Parable of the Rejected Son
The parable of the rejected son illustrates that those crooked tenants of the vineyard were the Pharisees and scholars who had murderous, greedy, and lust filled hearts. They were in place of keeping God’s precious vineyard, but they despised God by not representing His true character of acceptance. So God is going to give their inheritance of the Kingdom of God’s vineyard to those who will accept it with open hearts and faithful tend to it. Can we be good stewards over Gods people, or the ministry He’s given us to do?
Jesus is the stone, the corner stone which was rejected has become the most important stone. The one who comes against the stone will be broken but the one on whom it falls will be pulverized.
Summary
- Be careful and be aware because Jesus is near (7)
- Fail not to pay your promise to God (28)
- Don’t allow tradition to keep you from God’s mission (1-11)
- Repent while you have a chance (28-32)
- Faith will make the impossible possible (23-27)
- Faithful over God’s vineyard (33-41)
- If you can’t meet Jesus’ way then pray (19)