Anesti Ministries

Chapters 21 to 27 of Matthew’s Gospel focus on the last week of Jesus’ ministry in Jerusalem.

Jesus enters the City of David.

Matthew 1 reveals that Jesus is a descendant of David. But it is only now in Matthew 21 that Jesus enters Jerusalem, the City of David. While Jerusalem was the place that David reigned as King over Israel, this is also the final destination where Jesus will fulfil His earthly mission. Jesus has come to Jerusalem to defeat death and be crowned Lord over all.

The mount of Olives is significant because it was the place where King David was betrayed (2 Samuel 15:30). But this is also the place where God’s ultimate victory is declared in Zechariah 14:4. This is a foreshadow of Jesus, who would also be betrayed by His own people but would return in victory (Matthew 20:19).

Before Jesus entered Jerusalem, He sent His disciples to prepare the way for Him. Jesus told the disciples exactly what to do and what to say. Serving God is about following His plan and not our own.

Jesus’ entrance on a donkey and colt fulfils the prophecy in Zechariah 9:9. In the Old Testament, the horse was a symbol of war (Deuteronomy 17:16). The purpose of God’s King is not to subjugate other nations through war but to bring salvation (Zechariah 9:10). The donkey points to Jesus as the righteous Prince of Peace.

Every year, Christians celebrate palm Sunday to remember Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Many welcomed Jesus as King by cutting off palm branches. The word Hosanna (הושיעה נא) is found in Psalm 118:25 and means “Lord save us!”. Psalm 118:19-20 speaks of the righteous one who will enter through the gate of the Lord. Jesus is the righteous one who has come to save His people. He fulfilled God’s promise in Psalm 118. While many welcomed Jesus as King, there were others who did not recognise His identity. Palm Sunday is not only about remembering Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem 200 years ago but welcoming Jesus into our hearts.

Read Matthew 21:1-11.

Read Zechariah 9:9-10. What is the significance of Jesus entering Jerusalem on a donkey?

Jesus restores God’s house.

After Jesus enters Jerusalem, He enters the temple to set God’s house in order. Jesus drives out those who are using religion for their own profit by taking advantage of others. In those days, Jews were required to pay a half-shekel temple tax (Exodus 30:11-16). Only Jewish money was accepted because foreign coins bore the image of pagan emperors. The money changers took advantage of those who needed to exchange their foreign currency by setting high exchange rates. Poor people were allowed to offer pigeons as sacrifices if they could not afford livestock (Leviticus 5:7). Pigeon sellers took advantage of the poor by selling pigeons at inflated prices. Jesus is clear that He will not tolerate those in church who use religion as a means of getting rich. The purpose of the church is to intercede for the lost. When you invite Jesus into your heart, you must allow Jesus to get rid of the things that do not please God.

During the time of Jesus, the blind and the lame were not allowed to enter the temple (2 Samuel 5:8). They were only allowed to wait at the entrance of the temple. Jesus did not just heal the people physically, but He made a way for them to enter God’s house. Instead of rejoicing, the chief priests and scribes were greatly displeased at Jesus. These religious leaders were supposed to lead people to God but they could not recognise God’s Son. The spiritual blindness of the religious leaders is contrasted with the two blind men who cried out to Jesus in Matthew 20:31. Jesus is the only one who can bring the helpless back into a loving relationship with God.

Verse 12-17 sets the context to help us understand the deep meaning of Jesus cursing fig tree. A fig tree produces small leaves before it begins to produce figs. When Jesus sees the fig tree with leaves, He expects to find figs. But when He goes closer, He finds out that the fig tree actually has no fruit. The fig tree is a symbol of Israel who has the appearance of fruitfulness with all its religious practices but are not bearing the true fruits of righteousness. Jesus warns us against being Christians who practice Christianity outwardly but do not bear fruits of repentance. Jesus was putting an end to the old unfruitful system and ushering in His new fruitful Kingdom established through faith. The fig tree represents areas in our lives that are unfruitful because of unrepentance. Uprooting unfruitful figs in our lives can often feel as impossible as moving a mountain. But when we pray in faith, God will transform your heart through the Holy Spirit.

Questions for Bible Study.

What does verse 12-13 teach us about church?

What lesson can we learn from the fig tree?

Jesus is rejected by His people.

The chief priests and scribes felt their authority challenged by Jesus. Before Jesus spoke, He tested their hearts. The reply given by the religious leaders shows their rejection of God’s authority and fear of losing their authority. Jesus therefore knew that it would be futile to convince them of His authority since their hearts were hardened.

Jesus then told a parable to teach that repentance is the key to entering the Kingdom of God. The vineyard is a metaphor for the Kingdom of God. The first son represents sinners who repented and put their faith in Jesus. The second son represents the religious people who did not bear fruits worthy of repentance (Matthew 3:8). Repentance is turning away from our own ways and towards God. The evidence of true repentance is a radical change in lifestyle. Interestingly, Jesus did not say that the religious leaders would not enter at all. But their slowness to believe would result in them entering last (Matthew 21:31). It doesn’t matter where we begin but it matters how we end. No matter how far you may feel from God, His arms are always open when you choose to turn to Him.

Jesus tells a second parable about how Israel’s rejection of their King would result in the nations entering God’s Kingdom. In this parable, the master who builds a vineyard points to God who established the nation of Israel. God’s people were supposed to bear fruits of righteousness that would bless the nations. Instead they were unfaithful. God sent numerous prophets to call His people back to repentance but they would not listen. Finally God sent His own Son Jesus. However the religious leaders viewed Jesus as a threat to their religious authority and sought to kill Him. As a result of Israel’s betrayal, God will establish His Kingdom through the Gentiles. Even though Israel’s temporary rejection leads to the salvation of the Gentiles, God has a plan for the salvation of Israel through Jesus (Roman’s 11:25). The Kingdom of God founded upon Jesus Christ will be unstoppable.

Read Matthew 21:23-45

What lesson can we learn from the parable of the two sons?

What lesson can we learn from the parable of the tenants?