Matthew 27

What does it say?

The chief priest and elders delivered Jesus to the Roman governor Pilate. Judas hanged himself when he saw that Jesus was condemned. Thief priest took the money that they had paid him to deliver Jesus and bought the potters field in fulfillment of prophecy. The Roman governor was amazed that Jesus did not answer any of the allegations that the chief priest and elders made against him. Pilot knew that they had delivered Jesus because of envy; therefore, he thought to ask the people if they wanted him to release Jesus or Barabbas. Pilot’s wife warned him that Jesus is a righteous man; meanwhile, the chief priest and elders persuaded the people to ask for Barabbas. The people requested that Jesus be crucified; therefore, after publicly washing his hands, Pilot had Jesus scourged and handed him over to be crucified. The soldiers made a mockery of Jesus as king of the Jews. They made Simon of Cyrene carry Jesus’ cross. At the place of the skull, they gave Jesus wine mixed with gall but he refused it. They crucified Jesus, divided up his clothing and put the charge over his head, “THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.” Passerby’s, the chief priest, scribes, elders and even the criminals who were executed alongside him insulted Jesus. The land was darkened for three hours until Jesus cried out with a loud voice and gave up his spirit. The women who followed Jesus from Galilee were witnesses to his death and burial. Joseph of Arimathea  took the body of Jesus, wrapped it in a linen cloth and laid it in a new tomb which he had hewn out in the rock and he rolled a large stone against the entrance before departing. The chief priest and the Pharisees requested that Pilot make the tomb secure; therefore, a guard was stationed and a seal was set on the stone.

What does it mean?

Jesus was innocent of any wrong doing, yet all of Jerusalem came against him. Jesus’ suffering was mental as well as physical. He was scourged and he was mocked. Pilot did not believe that he was deserving death, yet swayed by the will of the people, he condemned Jesus to death by crucifixion. Jesus died a death that he did not deserve in place of a man who deserved death. Barabbas was a notorious prisoner who was allowed to go free but Jesus was humiliated, suffered and died. Jesus death on the cross was a sin sacrifice, the innocent in place of the guilty. Everything that happened was in fulfillment of prophecy.

What shall I do?

I am a sinner deserving the wrath of Almighty God for my crimes. I shall live in thanksgiving towards God for giving his only begotten Son, that I may have eternal life. I shall live in thanksgiving towards Jesus Christ. Before I was ever born he died for me. I shall tell people what Jesus did for his glory and their good.

Matthew 26

What does it say?

Jesus told his disciples that in two days time he would be handed over for crucifixion. The leaders of the Jews plotted to seize and kill Jesus, but they feared the people, so they did not think that it wise to seize him during the festival until Judas Iscariot came to them willing to betray him for money. Jesus had reprimanded the disciples for reprimanding a woman who poured a jar of fine perfume on his head. While reclining at the table during the Passover supper, Jesus said, “Truly I say to you that one of you will betray Me.” (NASB)  Each disciples said, “Surely it is not I, Lord?” However, Judas did not call him Lord but used the title Rabbi. Jesus gave the disciples bread to eat and wine to drink as a physical metaphors representing his body and his blood spilled out as a sin sacrifice. Jesus told the disciples that they would all fall away this night but would be gathered again after his resurrection. Peter vowed that he would never fall away but Jesus told him that he would deny him three times. Jesus took Peter, James and John to keep watch while he prayed. While he was praying they fell asleep. Jesus went away and prayed a second time but the disciples fell asleep again.  Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss and men with clubs and swords from the leaders of the Jews seized him. One of the disciples attempted to fight back but Jesus reprimanded him. Jesus questioned the crowds motive for coming by night when the could have been seized while he sat in the temple daily. They lead Jesus to Caiaphas, the high priest, and Peter followed at a distance. The council attempted to find false testimony against Jesus but were unsuccessful; therefore, they adjured Jesus to tell them if he believed himself to be the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus took it a step further saying that he is the Son of Man spoken of by Daniel 7:13-14. They accused Jesus of blasphemy and beat him with their fists. Peter being in the courtyard denied Jesus. Peter realized what he had done when a rooster crowed; therefore, Peter went away and cried with much grief.

What does it mean?

The leaders of the Jews wanted to kill Jesus by any means possible. They did not fear God but feared the people. They loved the position of honor and authority that they had. They could not find any wrong doing, so they got Jesus to condemn himself. Jesus went further than what they expected. Saying, “I tell you, hereafter you will see THE SON OF MAN SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF POWER, and COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN.” (NASB) Jesus being a man was making himself out to be God. (cf. Jn. 10:33) Jesus knew that this would anger them. On behalf of his disciples, Jesus had to die as a sin sacrifice; therefore, he allowed this to happen.

What shall I do?

I shall worship Jesus as Lord and trust in him as my Savior. Jesus is not simply a good teacher. In this chapter, Judas called Jesus Rabbi (teacher) twice; when all the disciples were saying, “Surely not I,” and again when he betrayed Jesus with a kiss. The world has no problem with Jesus being a teacher but the world has a big problem with Jesus being Lord. 

Matthew 25

What does it say?

The Lord gave his disciples three parables to bring understanding about the end times. The first is a parable about ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. The five foolish virgins took no oil and the five prudent took oil in flasks. When the bridegroom came, the five foolish were in the market place buying oil. The prudent went into the feast but the foolish were shut out. The second is the parable of the talents given to three slaves. Each was given talents according to his own ability. The first two doubled the landowners talents but the third hid his talent because he feared loosing it. The landowner said, “Well done” to the first two slaves but he cursed the third slave who hid his talent. He also gave his talent to the one who had five talents. The third is the Judgment. The Son of Man is going to come in his glory, with the angels and sit on his glorious throne to judge all of the people of the earth. He will divide them into two groups as a shepherd divides the sheep from the goats. The sheep on his right he calls blessed because they were hospitable to those who were in need and he called the goats on his left cursed because they were inhospitable to those who were in need. The ones on the left (goats) were cast into the eternal fire (eternal punishment) prepared for the devil and his angels but the ones on his right went into the kingdom (eternal life) prepared for them from the foundation of the world. 

What does it mean?

There are two types of people in the world, the blessed and the cursed. In the sermon on the mount, Jesus said, “You will know them by their fruits.” (Mt. 7:16a) All three of these parables show the fruits of the blessed and the cursed. The blessed are waiting patiently for the Lord to return and know that it could be at any moment, however, it could be a long wait; therefore, they are prepared to wait as long as they need to because they love him. The cursed are not prepared to wait for a long time because they do not really love him. The blessed uses the talents that the Lord entrusts him with for the betterment of the kingdom but the cursed is more concerned about himself than he is the Lord’s kingdom. The blessed are hospitable towards those who are in need and the cursed are inhospitable. It comes down to this, do you love Jesus Christ and do you love your neighbor? If the answer is no, repent and believe before it is to late. 

What shall I do?

The apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 13:5 (NASB)

Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test?

I shall examine myself, is Jesus Christ in me? Am I prepared to wait for the Lord for as long as it shall take? Am I using the talents that the Lord entrusted me with for the betterment of his kingdom. Am I hospitable towards people who are in need? Do I love the Lord Jesus Christ with all that I have and do I love my neighbor as myself?

Matthew 24

What does it say?

The disciples, admiring the temple buildings, pointed them out to Jesus; however, he told them that not one stone will be left upon another. While sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples asked  Jesus three questions: When will the temple be destroyed? What will be the sign of your coming? What will be the sign of the end of the age? The first thing that Jesus tells them is to not be mislead by others. Then he tells them that they will be delivered to tribulation, killed and hated by all nations for his name sake. Then he speaks directly to the destruction of the temple saying, when you see the abomination fo desolation (Dan 9:27; 11:31; 12:11) standing in the holy place then flee; however, the tribulation of the last days will go on for a long time and many false Christ and false prophets will arise to deceive many but the sign of Christ’s return will be obvious. All of the tribes of the earth will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and glory and all the elect will be gathered from the earth. Tribulation will continue until the Son of Man returns. Only the Father knows the day and the hour of the Son’s return. People will be living everyday life when the Son returns.

What does it mean?

The temple was destroyed by the Romans in 70 A.D., but tribulation did not end there, tribulation has continued to this very day. Followers of Christ are killed and hated for Jesus name. False Christ and false prophets still arise to deceive many. Jesus is not going to return through the womb of a young virgin and be born in a stable. He will come on the clouds of the sky with power and glory. His return will be obvious to everyone on the earth. The people of the earth will morn because they will know that judgement day has arrived. When men say that they know the day and hour of Christ’s return do not believe them, because no man knows the day or hour, not even the Son of God knows, only the Father knows the day. Do not live as though everything will continue as it has but live as though Christ is returning at any moment. 

What shall I do?

I shall live this day as though Christ is returning at any moment. I shall not listen if someone says that he has come because his return will be obvious to everyone on the earth. I shall not listen to false prophets who predict the day of Christ’s return. I shall not be surprised by persecution. I shall observe all that Christ commanded; therefore, be found so doing by my Lord at his return.  

Matthew 23

What does it say?

Jesus spoke to the crowds and the disciples about the scribes and the Pharisees. He said that they have seated themselves in the chair of Moses. He said, therefore, do as they say but do not do as they do. They like to seek honor before men and to be called  Rabbi. However, Jesus said to not be called teacher because one is your teacher and you are all brothers. Do not call anyone on the earth father because one is your Father and he is in heaven. Do not be called leaders because one is your leader and he is the Christ. Jesus gave eight woes to the scribes and Pharisees and he called them hypocrites because they lay burdens on people that they are not willing to do themselves. Jesus said that he wanted to gather all of Jerusalem together like children and protect them, but they were unwilling; therefore, they will not see him again until they say, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Ps 118:26) 

What does it mean?

Many of the words of Jesus get explained away. I think that this is done out of human desire to be honored. Many in the church today are called teacher, father and leader. They are honored but Jesus did not want it to be this way. Do we need teachers? Do we need pastors? Do we need elders? The answer is yes, but they should not think of themselves as better than anyone else in the church, nor should the congregation elevate these persons. Teachers, pastors and leaders need to be very careful with what they burden the church. We are all brothers and sisters with the same Spirit. We are all children of God, adopted by the same Father. We are all subjects of King Jesus. No one in the church should seek honor for themselves and no one in the church should be honored above anyone else in the church. All should think of everyone as equal. No one should think themselves better than the other. Nor should anyone burden another with something that they are not truly willing to do themselves. Nor should anyone think themselves less than anyone else in the church. We are all brothers and sisters. We all have the same Spirit, the same heavenly Father and the same King, Jesus Christ our Lord.

What shall I do?

I shall not elevate teachers, pastors and elders above anyone else in the congregation. I shall not seek to be honored above anyone else in the congregation. I shall not burden my brothers and sisters with anything that I am not willing to do myself. I shall think of everyone in the congregation as equal to everyone else in the congregation. In a Bible study, what one has to say is as worth listening to as much as the other. It is the Spirit who interprets Scripture. It is the Father who loves us, he gave his Son that we should not perish but have everlasting life. It is the Son (Jesus Christ) who has been given all authority in heaven and on earth. I shall keep this in mind always. 

Matthew 22

What does it say?

Jesus told a parable about a kings wedding feast. The first group that was invited to the wedding feast refused to come. In fact, they abused the servants that came to them; therefore, the king sent his army to destroy their city. Then the king sent out his servants to gather people from everywhere. On the day of the feast, there was a man not dressed in wedding clothes; therefore, the king had him thrown out into the outer darkness, were there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. Jesus concluded by saying, “For many are called, but few are chosen.  The Pharisees sent their disciples and the Herodians to Jesus, to try and trick him, so that they might accuse him of insurrection, but Jesus said, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and render to God the things that are God’s.” The Sadducees thought that they could stump Jesus about the resurrection using human logic but Jesus answered with Scripture alone; therefore, confounding their understanding. A lawyer asked Jesus which is the great commandment in the Law? Jesus answered that the greatest commandment is to love God with your entire being and the second is to love your neighbor as yourself. He said that the entire law depends on these two commandments. Lastly, Jesus questioned the Pharisees about there understanding about the Christ. They answered the son of David, but Jesus showed them from Psalm 110:1 that the Christ is David’s Lord. 

What  does it mean?

Jesus is the wisdom of God in human flesh. The chapter begins with a parable about a wedding feast but is actually the third parable that Jesus gave after the chief priests and the pharisees challenged his authority to be teaching in the temple. All three of these parables paint them as false teachers. The wedding feast is the end of time. The invitation is the gospel proclamation and the wedding clothes are the righteousness of Jesus Christ. All of the questioning of Jesus that follows these parables is the chief priests and Pharisees attempts to out wit Jesus, but you cannot out wit the wisdom of God. The final question given to Jesus is the best of all because his answer sums up all of Scripture. Covenantal theologians call the ten commandments the moral law, and say that it is the law written on our hearts from the dawn of creation. However, Jesus shows us in this passage that the ten commandments are dependent on the law of love: the love of God and the love of neighbor. This is the law written on the heart. This chapter concludes with Jesus correcting the Pharisees understanding of the Christ. The Christ is greater than David.

What shall I do?

I shall not question the wisdom of God. Human wisdom is carinate; therefore, it does not work when thinking about the things of God. I shall trust in the wisdom of God and not the wisdom of man. I shall repent of my sins and put my faith in Jesus Christ. Trusting his righteousness to save me on the day of judgement. I shall love God (Father and Son and Holy Spirit) with everything that I have and love my neighbor as myself.

Matthew 21

What does it say?

Jesus came into Jerusalem riding on the back of a donkey and her colt. This was in fulfillment of Zechariah 9:9.  The people called Jesus the Son of David and shouted the words of Psalm 118:26. Jesus cleared the temple of those who were using it to make prophet from the people. Jesus was healing and the children continued to shout, “Hosanna to the Son of David.” Jesus received the praise of the children as it is written about him in Psalm 8:2. When Jesus returned the next day, he saw a barron fig tree and cursed it. This amazed the disciples and Jesus told them that if they believe in prayer they will do likewise. The chief priest and the elders questioned Jesus’ authority. Jesus told them that he would answer by whose authority he was acting, if they answered, by whose authority did John baptize? They answered, we do not know because they feared the people. Jesus followed up with two parables: The first was about two sons. The first of the two sons refused to work in his fathers vineyard but later repented and worked in the field. The second said that he would work but did not. Jesus asked, who did the will of his father? They answered the first son. Then Jesus revealed that the people whom they considered sinners were doing the Father’s will, but they, the leaders were not. The second parable was about those whom a landowner rented a vineyard. They killed all whom the landowner sent to receive produce, including the landowner’s son. The Chief priest and the leaders of the people, realizing that Jesus spoke these parables about them. They wanted to seize him but they feared the people who considered him a prophet.

What does it mean?

Jesus believed himself to be the heir to the throne of David but greater than David because he believed that he was the Son of God. Jesus triumphal entry, riding on the back of a donkey and clearing the temple of wayfarers, demonstrated his belief as the king of Israel. However, more is revealed about Jesus belief about himself in this chapter. Jesus believed himself to be the Son of God; therefore, the heir to all of creation, the Lord of heaven and earth. This is demonstrated when the chief priests and the leaders of the people questioned Jesus’ authority. Both of these parables were spoken against these men, but the parable of the landowner reveals Jesus’ belief that he is the Son of God; therefore, the heir to the vineyard. Jesus believed that he was fully God and fully man in one person. This chapter reveals what Jesus believed about the people, about the leaders and about himself. 

What shall I do?

Jesus believed that he is both the Son of David and the Son of God. The works that Jesus did in the body demonstrate that he believed. Jesus was crucified, died and was buried in a garden tomb. Jesus rose bodily from the dead on the third day. Therefore, I shall believe about Jesus, what Jesus believed about himself. I shall repent and believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.