BIBLE STUDY CHAPTER SUMMARY
1.)Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King – Verse 1-11
2.)Jesus at the Temple – Verse 12-17
3.)Jesus Curses a Fig Tree – Verse 18-22
4.)The Authority of Jesus Questioned – Verse 23-27
5.)The Parable of the Two Sons – Verse 28-32
6.)The Parable of the Tenants – Verse 33-46
LESSONS FROM THE CHAPTER
Jesus has come to free the people so that they can praise and worship the Lord. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
One of the things that is amazing about this chapter is that Jesus is showing that he is not only setting people free from their sins, but is also setting people free from the oppression that comes from the hypocrisy of the religious leaders.
Rather than bringing people closer to God, they were holding people back with the buying and selling in the temple complex, with the money changers, and with the selling of animals. The temple had become a den of robbers, a haven for hypocrisy and rebellion.
Unfortunately, some things never change. The thing that Jesus rejected and cleansed from his kingdom people have tried to put back in. God save us from people who have authority as spiritual leaders and then use that position to take advantage of people while they cover over their gross rebellion.
As we read in verse 14, people should be able to come and find the spiritual healing and refreshment that they need, not be spiritually damaged even further.
But Jesus was warning the people and the religious leaders as he cleansed the temple when he called it a den of robbers.
The message of Jesus was repentance, not to continue how you are living your life.
I was watching a documentary about a church that definitely was not doing what was right. But one of the criticisms was that the church did not accept their lifestyle. I cracked up because that was the only thing this church in the documentary did correctly.
Friends, the church does not accept anyone’s lifestyle because Jesus didn’t. Jesus never told anyone in the scriptures to keep doing what they were doing because the kingdom is near. He said to repent because his kingdom is near. He never said to keep living your life the way you already are living it. He never said to maintain the lifestyle you presently have. Jesus and his apostles taught the opposite.
Friends, Jesus taught that he is the king and our lives must now change to match him. If we refuse to listen and change, then we are same den of robbers like these religious leaders were.
Let me say this another way. If we are not supposed to change our lives, then why do we need Jesus? You do not need Jesus if you are not going to change. But if you are tired of your sins, if you are tired of the shame and guilt, and if you are tired of the pain that comes from not listening to your God, then let Jesus change your life.
Your king has come. Come near to Jesus because Jesus said that his house was to be a house of prayer for all people to come and find healing, help, hope, and change.
Thank you for Reading.
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