fredlott63

21st chapter Matthew

Verse 1 – 11

This event is mentioned in all four gospels as well as the book of Zachariah in the Old Testament. They are celebrating Jesus arrival into the city but in less than a week they will be shouting for Him to be crucified. When Pilate wants to release Him they request a murderer instead. Jesus is moved by an inward change of repentance more than an outward show of worship. Telling God what little we know about what He did will not accomplish anything without obedience to what He said for us to do and avoid.

Verse 12 – 17

Although this event is mentioned in Mark and Luke also this is the second time Jesus cleanses the temple. The first time is in John 2:13 – 22 where He says “Make not my father’s house a house of merchandise”. The second time He cleanses the temple He quotes from Jeremiah 7:11.

Verse 18 and 19

People need to see proof in order to believe. They don’t want to look at this entire solar system and know that if there is an intelligent design there must be a more intelligent designer. People want to define the powers of the supernatural and know the depths of evil. This thinking must be inspired by satan as we are simply children living on a planet we didn’t make not doing what we were told by our father. Everything Jesus did was to teach a lesson. God is a God of ideas and appeals to your intellect while satan appeals to your emotions.

Verse 20 – 22

How soon the plant died amazed the disciples and no one else since Jesus spoke to the multitudes in parables and explained everything to His disciples. We can safely assume no one has that kind of faith as nobody can do this.

Verse 23

For those who think getting angry is a sin Jesus just finished whipping backs, kicking in chairs, and knocking down tables. If feelings are a sin then Jesus must have sinned. Anger is not a sin, it is just an emotion. The bible says be angry and sin not in Ephesians 4:26 and Psalm 4:4. It’s obvious that those in the Sanhedrin did not care about the people that they were over; in fact they didn’t care about God or anything but themselves.

Verse 24 – 27

When Jesus asks them a question, they can’t find a good answer. They would expose themselves as frauds if they answered so they didn’t.

Verse 28 – 32

We should not talk about it, we should be about it. All this worship and praise where we tell God what He already knows and really follow our feelings will get us nowhere. We are merely fooling ourselves. We should not offer to God that which cost us nothing.

Verse 33 - 46

This parable is in three gospels in Matthew 21:33- 46, Mark 12:1 – 12, and Luke 20:9-19. A landowner leases his land to vinedressers. After harvest the landowner sends his servants to receive the fruits. The vinedressers treat the servants badly, killing some and stoning others. Finally the landowner sends his son with the hope that they will respect him, but the vinedressers see this as an opportunity to take over the entire vineyard. Then Jesus asks the Sanhedrin what will happen to the vinedressers? The Sanhedrin reaches the logical conclusion that the vinedressers will be destroyed and given to men that will do the job. Jesus then quotes from Psalm 188:22. I’ll teach the Psalm.
Psalm 118 (Verse 1 - 4)
That is why we are still here. Read 2 Peter 3:9 and 10.
(Verse 5 - 7)
The promises of God are not yes and no, but yes and amen. What this means is that while discouraging certain types of choices He doesn’t just come and say don’t do something. He allows us to make our own choices. We should use our own judgment and see that the words God gave us were for our own good.
(Verse 8 and 9)
Man can only plan for this world. They can only do so much.
(Verse 10 – 14)
The numbers of people who plan your destruction mean nothing to God, as God can’t die. We live less than 100 years and those that make it to 100 don’t look that good.
(Verse 15)
This is not right now. When God returns then things will be corrected. Remember the beatitudes in the 5th chapter and the sixth chapter of Luke and remember the words of Jesus when He said those that are (or think they are) saved are lost and those that lose their lives for Christ will live. Happiness is overrated. Your mind can make a hell of heaven or a heaven of hell.
(Verse 16)
If you read Matthew 25:31 – 46 you will see that God is on the side of the religious right. They are at least trying to please God. The anti-God left doesn’t do anything for anybody but themselves. They are useless pains in the neck to anyone who has the misfortune of being in the same room with them.
(Verse 17)
God gives eternal life to those that please Him by doing His will. His will is contained in the King James Bible and would help us if we applied it to our lives.
(Verse 18 - 20)
Read Micah 7:8 – 10
(Verse 21)
My praise of God is teaching His word. I don’t see much benefit in singing songs. I can’t sing anyway.
(Verse 22 - 23)
These are the verses quoted by Jesus to the Sanhedrin. He was letting them know that they were really wasting their time and what God has purposed He is able to perform.
(Verse 24)
We are all in God’s hands and under God’s control. I’ve read the end of the book, in the end God triumphs.
(Verse 25)
Although it seems like a long time living the beatitudes he who endures to the end shall be saved.
(Verse 26)
Jesus quotes this in Matthew 21:9 and 23:39.
(Verse 27 and 28)
Luke 6:46 quotes Jesus as saying “Why do call me Lord and do not the things I say”?
(Verse 29)
That is why we are still here. Read 2 Peter 3:9.