CICQ8

In troubling times and in times of great tribulation, Christians are most susceptible to following the wrong crowd—Jesus is the Prophetic King who guides his followers with true wisdom and care. He warns of false prophets and false teachers that will be within hearing. He prepares his disciples for what lies ahead and through his final discourse in Matthew, gives true words to anchor our Christian lives.

When will the King return? Christ makes it clear that He will physically return to the Earth after the gospel of the kingdom is proclaimed to all the unreached ethnolinguistic people groups of the world. As Christians we have the calling and opportunity to participate in the fulfillment of this mission of the Church. Let us pray about and participate in the proclamation of the gospel of the Kingdom.

Jesus said, "But the one who endures to the end will be saved." As Jesus and his disciples leave the temple, they privately ask questions about the End. Jesus warns of coming deceptions and redirects his disciples to the truth that it takes endurance to be saved.

God is love and delights to show mercy. When he pronounces judgment, it is necessary, but it is not—as some have observed—his "natural" work. He takes no delight in the death of anyone (Ez 18:32). Christ is faithful, merciful, and just and as King pronounces 7 authoritative woes on unrepentant leaders. May we have ears to hear these kingdom warnings and woes as a gracious call to repentance.

Questions arise around the King. As the waters begin to boil, Matthew wants us to see that the best attempts to oppose Jesus fall miserably short of the wisdom and power of God that he uniquely possesses. Jesus brilliantly responds to a political trap, weak theology, a legal question, and asks a question of his own with a lesson in Christology that leaves the "courtroom" stunned and silenced.

Jesus speaks with authoritative clarity about his kingdom through the Parable of the Wedding Feast. God has patiently and persistently invited Israel to his Messianic banquet for centuries; yet, most Israelites reject his invitation. Therefore, God extends his invitation to the nations—justly judging those who reject his gracious offer. We are left with a pointed application concerning our own garments.

Do you know anyone fearless in the face of opposition? Jesus is! As the King, he challenges the powers that be. The true and living God is to be freely worshipped by the nations. "My house shall be a house of prayer." The children rejoice, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" Yes! As the Son of David and kingly Messiah he is worthy to be praised as is prophesied in Psalm 8:2. Let the nations pray and praise!

The crowd was stirred as the king entered Jerusalem that first palm Sunday. But what kind of king is he? Jesus is no ordinary king. His arrival and the manner of his arrival fulfill the OT prophecies. Jesus is a demanding king. Jesus is a humble and unexpected king. Jesus is the true and royal king of all kings and his praise will one day fill the earth!

Jesus continues to unveil what the Church is to be in the Kingdom of God. The disciples struggle to see the Church as a kingdom community of grace and mercy that ultimately reflects Christ's sacrificial death and resurrection in the world. Jesus ultimately points to himself as the greatest example and models for his followers what it looks like to be a servant.