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The Triumphal Entry

21 When they had approached Jerusalem and had come to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied there and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to Me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of them,’ and immediately he will send them.” 4 This [a]took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:

5 “Say to the daughter of Zion,
‘Behold your King is coming to you,
Gentle, and mounted on a donkey,
Even on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’”

6 The disciples went and did just as Jesus had instructed them, 7 and brought the donkey and the colt, and laid their coats on them; and He sat on [b]the coats. 8 Most of the crowd spread their coats in the road, and others were cutting branches from the trees and spreading them in the road. 9 The crowds going ahead of Him, and those who followed, were shouting,

“Hosanna to the Son of David;
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord;
Hosanna in the highest!”

10 When He had entered Jerusalem, all the city was stirred, saying, “Who is this?” 11 And the crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth in Galilee.”

Cleansing the Temple

12 And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all those who were buying and selling in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves. 13 And He *said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer’; but you are making it a robbers’ [c]den.”

14 And the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple, and He healed them. 15 But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that He had done, and the children who were shouting in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they became indignant 16 and said to Him, “Do You hear what these children are saying?” And Jesus *said to them, “Yes; have you never read, ‘Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies You have prepared praise for Yourself’?” 17 And He left them and went out of the city to Bethany, and spent the night there.

The Barren Fig Tree

18 Now in the morning, when He was returning to the city, He became hungry. 19 Seeing a lone fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it except leaves only; and He *said to it, “No longer shall there ever be any fruit from you.” And at once the fig tree withered.

20 Seeing this, the disciples were amazed and asked, “How did the fig tree wither all at once?” 21 And Jesus answered and said to them, “Truly I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ it will happen. 22 And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”

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Matthew 20 - Laborers in the Vineyard

20 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 When he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius for the day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the market place; 4 and to those he said, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.’ And so they went. 5 Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did the same thing. 6 And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing around; and he *said to them, ‘Why have you been standing here idle all day long?’ 7 They *said to him, ‘Because no one hired us.’ He *said to them, ‘You go into the vineyard too.’

-        Jesus is going to tell us a story about how the kingdom of heaven is like an landowner who went out hire laborers for his vineyard

o   6am In the morning when Sun rises (light; creation)

o   9am In the 3rd hour (Christ crucified)

o   12noon In the 6th hour (the world turned dark)

o   3pm is the 9th hour (the time Jesus died)

o   5pm 11th hour just before sunset (the last days)

o   Jesus has been recruiting workers to work in his field for a long time

o   And he offers to reward all who will go!

8 “When evening came, the owner of the vineyard *said to his foreman, ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last group to the first.’ 9 When those hired about the eleventh hour came, each one received a denarius. 10 When those hired first came, they thought that they would receive more; but each of them also received a denarius. 11 When they received it, they grumbled at the landowner, 12 saying, ‘These last men have worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the scorching heat of the day.’ 13 But he answered and said to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for a denarius? 14 Take what is yours and go, but I wish to give to this last man the same as to you. 15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with what is my own? Or is your eye envious because I am generous?’ 16 So the last shall be first, and the first last.”

-        We read this same description in Chapter 19

-        The last shall be first and the first last (now we get a better idea of what this means)

-        God is super generous even to those who just saved or just got started

-        Men often compare each other’s effort or compensation

o   It is not right to do so because it is God’s good pleasure to bless as He pleases

o   Man must never stand in the place of judge toward God’s decisions or blessings

Death, Resurrection Foretold

17 As Jesus was about to go up to Jerusalem, He took the twelve disciples aside by themselves, and on the way He said to them, 18 “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn Him to death, 19 and will hand Him over to the Gentiles to mock and scourge and crucify Him, and on the third day He will be raised up.”

-        This is a radical confession that Jesus knew all the pain and suffering He was about to go through and yet He planned to proceed (what amazing love!)

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 Matthew 19 - Concerning Divorce

19 When Jesus had finished these words, He departed from Galilee and came into the region of Judea beyond the Jordan; 2 and large crowds followed Him, and He healed them there.

-          The title of this message is concerning divorce

-          God wants us know what He thinks about it

-          When Jesus had finished these words

o   What words?

o   He had just finished teaching us about forgiveness in chapter 18

o   He told us if we don’t forgive others He will not forgive us

o   If you want all your sins forgiven you then you must forgive all others!

o   Jesus means “Jehovah is salvation”

-          He departed from Galilee which means “circuit” or “circle” or “to roll” or “encircle”

-          And came into the region of Judea beyond the Jordan

o   Judea means “he shall be praised”

o   Jordan means “the descender”or “to flow down”

o   Jehovah is salvation, to turn men around, He shall be praised because He descended and His blood flowed down

-          And large crowds followed Him

o   How about you?

o   Are you following Jesus with your whole heart

-          And He healed them there

o   Notice He healed large crowds (no problem for Him)

o   Everyone who follows Jesus gets healed!

3 Some Pharisees came to Jesus, testing Him and asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason at all?” 4 And He answered and said, “Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning made them male and female, 5 and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? 6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.” 

-          Some Pharisees came to Jesus, testing Him

o   Notice their intent was bad from the beginning it was a test a trap

o   They were trying to trap Jesus by getting Him to contradict scripture

-          Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason at at all?

o   This means for no particular reason

o   Just got tired of her and divorced her and sent her away

o   This was the idea “for any reason at all”

-          And He answered and said

o   Have you not read

§  This is cool because these were Pharisees (supposedly doctors of the law)

o   The He who created them from the beginning made them male and female

§  this is a important note (God made male and female people)

§  there are no other types (chromosomes determine whether you're male or female and they cannot be changed no matter what man says or does)

o   for this reason we manage shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife and the two shall become one flesh

§  This is the way that God designed it and this is how it shall be period

o   So they are no longer two but one flesh

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Matthew 18 - Rank in the Kingdom

18 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and said, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

-          The title of Matthew 18 his rank in the Kingdom

o   this is a question of power and position in heaven not on earth

-          at that time

o   after Jesus had Peter catch a fish and pay the double tax

o   what are the odds that peter could catch one fish and it would have the tax money sufficient to pay the tax in it mouth (from all the millions fish)

-          the disciples came to Jesus

o   notice the disciples are the ones asking this question

o   does this seem appropriate?

-          Who then is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

o   Why did they want to know

o   What difference does it make

o   Is this Christian believers caught up in pride?

 2 And He called a child to Himself and set him before them, 3 and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

-          Jesus answered the question by using a child to illustrate

-          Unless you are converted and become like children

o   Children simply trust their Dad without question

-          You will not enter the kingdom of heaven

o   It takes child like faith to enter heaven

o   You must simply believe your heavenly father to get in

-          Whoever then humbles himself as this child

o   He is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven

o   A obedient child comes when called, sits, listens, accepts his fathers words

o   When you conduct yourself like this you become great in heaven

§  Faith, trust, obedience are the key

 5 And whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me; 6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.

-          When you receive a child in Jesus name, you receive Jesus Himself (as unto Him!)

-          But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble (to confuse, to trip up, to stop believing in or obeying God)

o   It would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck and be drowned in the sea (because at this would cause death and be done)

o   Punishment for the perversion of a child away from faith or obedience to Jesus will result in eternal punishment

o   Note to school teachers this lesson is for you!

o   Note to parents or authorities – this lesson is for you!

o   There is a very serious price to pay for misleading children away from Jesus Christ!

Stumbling Blocks

7 “Woe to the world because of its stumbling blocks! For it is inevitable that stumbling blocks come; but woe to that man through whom the stumbling block comes!

-          Notice stumbling blocks will come

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Matthew 17 - The Transfiguration

17 Six days later Jesus *took with Him Peter and James and John his brother, and *led them up on a high mountain by themselves.

-          Six days later

o   six is the number for man

o   this was six days after Jesus told his disciples that following him would be costly

§  that each one would have to pick up his cross and follow him

§  he told them that anyone who would try and save their life would lose it

§  and anyone who loses their life for his sake would find it

§  it is the opposite of what the carnal man thinks in his mind

§  He then promised that there were some listening that would see Jesus coming in his glory before they taste death

§  this was a radical promise and it gets fulfilled in the next verse

 2 And He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light. 3 And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him.

-          Transfigured is “metamorphoo” which means metamorphosis 

-          Jesus was literally changed back into His glorious state for these men to see

o   Jesus “Jehovah is salvation”

o   Peter “a rock or stone”

o   James “supplanter” or “replacer”

o   John “Jehovah is a gracious giver”

o   Moses “drawing out”

o   Elijah “my God is Jehovah”

o   The names of the men in this story tell the real story!

o   Jehovah is salvation, a rock, a replacer, a gracious giver, drawing men out. 

o   My God is Jehovah!

 4 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, I will make three tabernacles here, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”

-          Peter doesn’t seem to know what to say to he just spouts out

o   It is good for us to be here (no kidding!)

o   If you wish, I will make three tabernacles  here 

§  Tabernacles are tents (what would they do with them)

§  One for you “Jehovah is salvation” (GOD)

§  One for Moses (Moses represents the (LAW)

§  And one for Elijah (My God is Jehovah” (RAPTURED) never died

§  This is a picture of God’s bigger plan acted out in front of Peter, James and John so they would see a picture of what Heaven is like for real.

·         Glory beyond our understanding

·         Fellowship and live interaction with those who have previously died!

 5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice out of the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!” 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell face down to the ground and were terrified. 7 And Jesus came to them and touched them and said, “Get up, and do not be afraid.” 8 And lifting up their eyes, they saw no one except Jesus Himself alone.

-          While he was still speaking (this means they got interrupted)

o   This means suddenly something happened

-          A bright cloud overshadowed them

o   How does a bright cloud overshadow you?

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Matthew 16 - Pharisees Test Jesus

16 The Pharisees and Sadducees came up, and testing Jesus, they asked Him to show them a sign from heaven. 2 But He replied to them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ 3 And in the morning, ‘There will be a storm today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Do you know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but cannot discern the signs of the times? 4 An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign; and a sign will not be given it, except the sign of Jonah.” And He left them and went away.

-          The Pharisees and Sadducees were the religious leaders 

o   The big robes, the big hats, the front row seats, the public recognition, the honor

o   They also had a lot to do with commerce and arranging marriages

o   They had the social and economic power and it was being disrupted by Jesus

-          So they come up to Jesus to test him (to try and trip him up)

o   They ask Him to show them a sign from heaven         

o   He had already done countless miracles and hundreds or thousands of people saw it and reported back to them (they knew already)

-          Jesus describes the stupidity of their request by describing how simple men know when a storm is approaching by looking up.  These religious leaders can’t even decern the spiritual weather when its right in front of them (obviously they are spiritually blined)

-          Jesus describes them as an adulterous generation seeking a sign

o   Adulty is sinning against your first love

o   As a spiritual leader, their first love should be God

-          And so no sign will be given except the sign of Jonah

o   In the belly of the whale for 3-days and then returned back to life

5 And the disciples came to the other side of the sea, but they had forgotten to bring any bread. 6 And Jesus said to them, “Watch out and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 7 They began to discuss this among themselves, saying, “He said that because we did not bring any bread.” 8 But Jesus, aware of this, said, “You men of little faith, why do you discuss among yourselves that you have no bread? 9 Do you not yet understand or remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets full you picked up? 10 Or the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many large baskets full you picked up? 11 How is it that you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread? But beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 12 Then they understood that He did not say to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

-          The leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees (religious leaders) was their teaching their own doctrines on men rather than of God. Misleading people away from God and enriching themselves, their power and position.

-          Five loaves and the five thousand (grace multiplied) 12 baskets left over

o   Five is the number for grace

o   Five thousand is grace multiplied

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Matthew 15 - Tradition and Commandment

15 Then some Pharisees and scribes *came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, 2 “Why do Your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.” 3 And He answered and said to them, “Why do you yourselves transgress the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? 4 For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother,’ and, ‘He who speaks evil of father or mother is to be put to death.’ 5 But you say, ‘Whoever says to his father or mother, “Whatever I have that would help you has been given to God,” 6 he is not to honor his father or his mother.’ And by this you invalidated the word of God for the sake of your tradition.

-        The Pharisees and scribes were the religious leaders

-        They were the big men on campus with the big robes and big hats

-        They come to Jesus with lots of pomp and why His disciples break the tradition with the elders

o   They didn’t ask because they wanted a real answer

o   They were simply trying to find something to blame Him for to try and prove He was not the real deal

-        Jesus didn’t put up with their bologna

-        He puts it right back on them “why don’t you honor your father and your mother and take care them (financially)

o   Instead you make excuses that you donated it to God 

o   This is not God’s will or His ways

-        Jesus is pointing out that they break tradition as well by their lack of financial support and honor of their parents (ouch)

 7 You hypocrites, rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you:

8 ‘This people honors Me with their lips,
 But their heart is far away from Me.
 9 ‘But in vain do they worship Me,
 Teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.’”

-        Jesus called them hypocrites

o   Rules for thee but not for me

-        Their words don’t match their walk

o   They are all lip service

-        They are teaching their own rules as doctrine (like its from God)

-        Be very careful of false teachers and false religious leaders teaching anything other than what the Bible actually says.  This is why we need to study to show ourselves approved, a workman rightly dividing the word of truth!

10 After Jesus called the crowd to Him, He said to them, “Hear and understand. 11 It is not what enters into the mouth that defiles the man, but what proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the man.”

-        Huge revelation

-        Words matter!

12 Then the disciples *came and *said to Him, “Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this statement?” 13 But He answered and said, “Every plant which My heavenly Father did not plant shall be uprooted. 14 Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. And if a blind man guides a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”

-        Who is man that he should try and correct Jesus?

-        False religious leaders are blind and they lead blind people into the pit (the end result)

-        You and I are blind if we don’t know the word of God!

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Matthew 14 - John the Baptist Beheaded

14 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the news about Jesus, 2 and said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”

-          At that time

o   What time was this?

o   After Jesus spoke in parables

§  Of the seed which fell (importance of soil)

§  Of the wheat and the tares (importance to know our enemy)

§  Of the mustard seed (faith becomes bigger than life)

§  Of the leaven in in the bread (sin is present even in the church)

§  Of the hidden treasure in the field (heaven is worth more than RE)

§  Of the costly pearl (heaven is worth more than jewels)

§  Of the dragnet (heave is more important than work)

o   After Jesus did not do many miracles in His home town

§  Because of their unbelief (unbelief is a mirical-killer)

-          Herod the tetrarch heard the news about Jesus

o   Notice He heard about Jesus and was likely thinking about it

-          And said to his servants

o   This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead

o   That is why miraculous powers are at work in him

o   Notice these comments seem to come from a place of fear

3 For when Herod had John arrested, he bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip. 4 For John had been saying to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” 5 Although Herod wanted to put him to death, he feared the crowd, because they regarded John as a prophet.

-          Herod had John arrested and put in prison

-          Because of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip

-          Herod wanted his brothers wife and John had told him that it was not kosher

-          So Herod wanted to put him to death but he feared the crowd which regarded John as a prophet (notice he makes decisions out of fear and lust)

6 But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod, 7 so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. 

-          It seems Herod is a bit of pervert. Now he is lusting after Herodias’s daughter

-          She please him so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked

-          This is a clear sign of his inappropriate behavior and thoughts

8 Having been prompted by her mother, she *said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” 9 Although he was grieved, the king commanded it to be given because of his oaths, and because of his dinner guests. 

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Matthew 13 - Jesus Teaches in Parables

13 That day Jesus went out of the house and was sitting by the sea. 2 And large crowds gathered to Him, so He got into a boat and sat down, and the whole crowd was standing on the beach.

-          That Day

o   What day?

o   The same day the events of Chapter 12 unfolded

-          The religious leaders tried to discredit the Lord

o   But He healed a man with a withered hand

o   Then He healed a man that was demon-possessed, blind and mute

o   We learned that we will be judged by our words

§  You either accept that Jesus is the Messiah or not

§  This determines your eternal future

o   We learned that everyone who believes in Jesus Christ becomes His family

§  With an inheritance in heaven!

-          The same day, Jesus went out of the house and was sitting by the sea

o   Note that Jesus never rested on his last achievement

o   He kept working every chance He had (What a great example)

-          He often went up a mountain but this time He was sitting by the sea

o   There is something about getting away from the city and the crowds and getting out in creation that brings closer to God

-          Large crowds gathered to Him

o   They are following after Jesus (that’s the right idea)

o   And they want to hear what He has to say

§  That’s the best idea yet!

-          Jesus got into a boat and sat down

o   This let Him use the boat like a platform to share with those on the beach

3 And He spoke many things to them in parables, saying, “Behold, the sower went out to sow; 4 and as he sowed, some seeds fell beside the road, and the birds came and ate them up. 5 Others fell on the rocky places, where they did not have much soil; and immediately they sprang up, because they had no depth of soil. 6 But when the sun had risen, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. 7 Others fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked them out. 8 And others fell on the good soil and *yielded a crop, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty. 9 He who has ears, let him hear.”

-          Jesus spoke many things to them in parables

-          This is a parable

o   A early story with heavenly meaning

o   It is meant to be easy to remember and then make a point worth considering over and over for the truth it points to!

An Explanation

10 And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?” 11 Jesus answered them, “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted. 12 For whoever has, to him more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him. 13 Therefore I speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. 14 In their case the prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled, which says,

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Matthew 12 - Sabbath Questions

12 At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath, and His disciples became hungry and began to pick the heads of grain and eat. 2 But when the Pharisees saw this, they said to Him, “Look, Your disciples do what is not lawful to do on a Sabbath.” 

-          At that time

o   What time was this

o   After He denounced the cities for not repenting even though radical miracles had been done in them

o   After He thanked God for revealing the truth to infants (the simple minded)

o   After He declared all things have been handed over to Him

o   After He declared no one knows the Son except the Father

o   Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son

§  And anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him

o   After He invited people “come to Me”

§  All who were heavy laden and I will give you rest

§  Take My yoke upon  you and learn from Me

§  For I am gentle and humble in heart 

§  And you will find rest for your souls

o   For My yoke is easy and My burden is light

-          It was that time this chapter then began!

-          Pharisees were obviously looking for anything wrong because they wanted to prove that Jesus was not the Messiah even though He was and is!

-          They said “Look, (can you see them pointing the finger if judgement)

-          Your disciples do what is not lawful to do on a Sabbath

o   They said this because they were picking the heads of grain and eating them because they were hungry 

o   The Pharisees were more interested in passing judgement and waging their finger than considering these disciples had been working hard for the kingdom of God and they were hungry (why should they not eat)
  

3 But He said to them, “Have you not read what David did when he became hungry, he and his companions, 4 how he entered the house of God, and they ate the consecrated bread, which was not lawful for him to eat nor for those with him, but for the priests alone? 5 Or have you not read in the Law, that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple break the Sabbath and are innocent? 

-          Jesus gives them a quick history lesson about David and his companions who ate the consecrated bread which was not lawful either (and yet they were innocent)

-          So there are exceptions and this incident was no different

-          Jesus was telling them to put away their judgement stick and waging fingers

6 But I say to you that something greater than the temple is here. 7 But if you had known what this means, ‘I desire compassion, and not a sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent.

-          God desires compassion

o   Compassion is feeling what others are going through and trying to help

o   That is the heart of true Christianity

-          God desires compassion far more than a sacrifice

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