GRINDIT podcast

It’s day 2 of being in Jerusalem. As Jesus was coming into town he is hungry. Hungry people look for something to eat and that’s what Jesus did. He sees a fig tree and goes to get some figs off it but there aren’t any. Jesus knew there wouldn’t be any figs on that tree and instead of miraculously producing figs on the tree, he cursed it and it immediately withers! Why did he do this? Because he wanted to remind the disciples of his power over nature and he wanted to teach them a lesson on faith...something the religious leaders would not have at all as we see at the end of chapter 21. They were so mad at Jesus because of the stories he told them, they wanted to arrest him immediately!

What would you do different if you knew you would be dead in less than a week? Would you change anything at all? Would you try and right your wrongs? Would you tell your friends and family how much you love them and what they mean to you more often? Would you go live life to the fullest and try to pull off as much as you can on your bucket list? Matthew 21 is the turning point for the disciples and the crowds, not Jesus. Jesus knew this time was coming; He has always known his purpose ever since he was a young boy. And even though he knows he is about to die a horrific, painful death, Jesus continues to do what he has been doing, meeting other peoples’ needs.

Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem to die. He has explained to his disciples this day was coming. He is about a week away from the cross and shocking the known world at that time, As he is making his way to Jerusalem, he goes into more detail about what is going to transpire when he gets to Jerusalem. You would think the disciples would be upset and asking about it but no, two of them get their mommy involved and want power and honor, but Jesus gives them a dose of humility. As he is leaving Jericho, two blind men cry out to him and he gives them his full attention. They ask him to heal him and, of course, Jesus did and they followed him. I don't they are going to be excited about what t hey can now see!

Peter asked Jesus a question after the rich young man had walked away and Jesus said it would be hard for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven. He said, “We gave up everything. What will we get?” After answering Peter’s question, Jesus then gives a parable about an owner of a vineyard who continues to walk through town and hiring people to work at all times of the day. At the end of the day, those who were hired in the last hour got paid the same wage as those who started work in the early morning hours. Although it doesn’t seem fair to our human way of thinking, anybody that accepts the invitation from the owner of the vineyard gets paid the same…we get to enjoy spending eternity in heaven with God!

A man came to Jesus and asked, “What good deed do I have to do to inherit eternal life” He came to the right person and asked the right question. But when he got the answer to his question, he gave the wrong response! He was all excited because he thought he was in for sure but Jesus knew the man’s heart and how he loved his stuff so he tells the young man to go and sell all his possessions and give the money to the poor. He walked away sad but what is sad is he walked away without committing to the only one who could save him! Don’t make the same mistake! God wants our hearts and He will not take a backseat to anything or anybody! We are either all in or we aren’t in at all!

Matthew 19 is a passage many people turn to because of the divorce issue that is brought up by the Pharisees. They are, once again, trying to trap Jesus, and their plan is to use the law of Moses, who was the authority of their religion, against Jesus. If Jesus didn’t answer correctly, then they have trapped him! But they didn’t get the answer they were hoping for. Jesus explains to them what God’s heart is about marriage but since the Pharisees weren’t after God’s heart, they didn’t want to hear it. They wanted justification to their selfish hearts’ desires which was more than likely, divorcing and remarrying the greener grass in their neighbor’s yard. They were looking for a way around the law; they didn’t want to be accused of adultery which is the seventh commandment of the ten commandments that they hang their hats on! Jesus lowers the boom when he tells them they have committed adultery if they divorce and remarry for any other reason than infidelity. And in doing so, Jesus exposes the real issue, their hearts.

Jesus has used a child to teach his disciples about humility and along with humility...forgiveness. when children play together, there can be a little bit of a skirmish but within seconds, they are right back to playing as if nothing ever happened. Jesus tells his disciples they must forgive others and Peter thinks he has a great handle on it when he asks, "How many times do I have to forgive? Seven Times?" Jesus lets him know immediately that he, as well as any follower of his, must forgive every time, all the time and he gives a story to emphasize his point. Let go of that grudge. Missing heaven isn't worth it!

Jesus is giving an answer to a questions the disciples asked him but they aren’t getting the answer they were expecting. Jesus takes a small child and uses this child as an illustration on how his followers should be. As he is speaking, he mentions something about angels in heaven watching over the little children. Do we have guardian angels? Listen to find out, but the answer may be in the parable that follows when Jesus talks about the one sheep that wanders away while the ninety-nine hang around while the shepherd goes off to find the one that went astray. Even the strongest follower of Jesus can be enticed by something outside the fold and wander off which is why he gives the model on how to deal with sin; how to deal with another believer who has sinned. Here’s a hint: Don’t ignore them!

Men have huge egos and are very competitive. It was no different with the disciples! They were men who came from all kinds of backgrounds and occupations. The three that had special privileges, Peter, James, and John were commercial fishermen who competed in the fishing business to make a living and we’ll see this play out as they follow Jesus. They want to know “Who is the greatest person in the kingdom of heaven,” but they don’t realize they are looking at him face to face! Peter had been given the keys to the kingdom and two chapters later, James and John will come to Jesus with their mom and she asks if her two sons can sit in the places of honor in his kingdom. Jesus calls a child over and says, “Boys…yall need to be like this child and learn some humility.” It’s a great lesson for us today!

The disciples couldn’t cast a demon out of a kid and Jesus tells them it is because they don’t have enough faith but some versions read, “They had doubt.” Why would they have doubt? They have been walking with Jesus for a while now and have seen him work miracle after miracle yet they continue to doubt. At the end of chapter 17, the Temple tax needs to be paid and Jesus tells Peter to go catch a fish, open its mouth, and pull the coin from its mouth to pay the tax. Why would he do this? The disciples had money because Judas was the treasurer. Because Peter needed the reminder that Jesus is the Messiah and that he always comes through; that he always provides. We are like Peter…we constantly need reminding that Jesus is the Messiah and He will come through for us. Quit doubting!