Last Week, cont.
4. Second cleansing of Temple - Matthew 21:12-17; Mark 11:15-19; Luke 19:45-48
5. Cursing of the fig tree - Matthew 21:18-19; Mark 11:12-14
6. Fig tree withers (M-33) - Matthew 21:20-22; Mark 11:20-26
7. Christ's authority challenged - Matthew 21:23-27; Mark 11:27-33; Luke 20:1-8
8. Parables
- Two sons (P-26) - Matthew 21:28-32
- Wicked tenants of the vineyard (P-27) - Matthew 21:33-46; Mark 12:1-12; Luke 20:9-19
- Guests at wedding - Matthew 22:1-13
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Have a question you do not want to answer? Ask one in response. Most people will not catch the fact that the tables have been turned on them.
Though Jesus was not trying to 'get by' without answering the chief priests, elders, and scribes of the people, He was demonstrating their unwillingness to accept those that Father sent.
"The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men?"
- Matthew, Mark and Luke all record the statement exactly the same.
They either have to acknowledge God's sovereignty in it...and their lack of obedience and reverence for HIS prophet and incur the wrath of the 'religious' leaders; or deny that John WAS a prophet sent from God and have to deal with the peoples outrage.
Hmmm...as my granny used to say, caught between a rock and a hard place. Which reminds me of Jonathan's dilemma when confronting the Philistines.
1Sa 14:4 And between the passages, by which Jonathan sought to go over unto the Philistines' garrison, there was a sharp rock on the one side, and a sharp rock on the other side: and the name of the one was Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh.
:-) And 'their' answer to the situation? "We can not tell." At least Jonathan trusted in the Lord to get him through the difficultly (read 1 Samuel 14 if you'd like the rest of the story).
chief priests - G749 - From G746 and G2409; the high priest (literally of the Jews, typically Christ); by extension a chief priest.
elders - G4245 - Comparative of πρέσβυς presbus (elderly); older; as noun, a senior; specifically an Israelite Sanhedrist (also figuratively, member of the celestial council) or Christian “presbyter”.
scribes - G1122 - From G1121; a writer, that is, (professionally) scribe or secretary.
This just dawned on me...these are the religious leaders...they are supposed to be studying (though really ALL are responsible to study - 2 Timothy 2:15) and giving forth the understanding of the Torah and writings of the prophets.
They couldn't tell? How scary is that? How much more so in our day? When those who are supposed to be expounding upon the Word don't AND those who are listening are not even aware that they are not being fed meat or even some reasonable facsimile of it!
Paul commended the Bereans (who were, GET THIS, listening to Paul!) and searching the Scriptures once a year...no wait, twice a year? Once a month? or rather DAILY!
We are ALL responsible to study and search the Word of God and ensure that we are sitting under and/or listening to teachers who are rightly dividing the Word of God. No excuses.
I thought about this as well...the New Testament writings may not have been compiled into a cohesive manuscript...letters (thus the Epistles, etc.) would have been circulating, but primarily the Scriptures the Bereans were searching would have been? The Old Testament writings!
Sad commentary is that most 'preachers' rarely preach through the Bible as a whole, book by book, verse by verse. Most 'teach' (if you can call it that - most entertain) or preach topically, using a verse or verses they pick and choose to conform to their message.
On a positive note there are some well trained, godly men out there who teach the whole counsel of God. Who desire to labor in Word and doctrine. Studying, praying and seeking Father in a desire to put forth HIS word with truth and sincerity.
If the fact that I said men caught your eye...yes, only men should teach in a mixed assembly. Don't argue with me...argue with God and HIS word...I didn't write it or even think it...I'm just repeating it. That said, there are some godly women who teach women's Bible studies (to only women). {Note: I am NOT referring to any 'big' name women teachers in this regard.}
Beloved of the Lord, if you are reading this and have not fallen in love with the Savior of Your soul...please stop and examine where you are spending eternity. Does your life show a difference if you have professed a belief in the unmerited grace of our Messiah?
Is there a difference in how you speak, act, think and behave? Do you crave time with Him? Does HE receive the first fruits of your life? Be it time or other resources? Is there an outward manifestation in the inward transformation?
Lord, open blind eyes and deaf ears - let the calling of Your people be heard and seen. Give us, Your lambs a desire to pasture with You daily, seeking the refreshment of Your water of life to quench our tired and weary souls. Lord, raise up men (and yes, even women) who will rightly divide the Word in the areas YOU have designated for them.
Cause those who are Yours to see and discern the false teachings of our day. The entertainment mentality - the easy believism, which requires little if anything of its adherents - the seeker friendly 'sanctuaries' - Lord, expose all those who proclaim and generate such atrocities in Your name.
Father, only You can bring revival to Your people and the lands in which they dwell. Lord, pour out Your Spirit upon Your people in such a way that is evident to all.
Though Jesus was not trying to 'get by' without answering the chief priests, elders, and scribes of the people, He was demonstrating their unwillingness to accept those that Father sent.
"The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men?"
- Matthew, Mark and Luke all record the statement exactly the same.
They either have to acknowledge God's sovereignty in it...and their lack of obedience and reverence for HIS prophet and incur the wrath of the 'religious' leaders; or deny that John WAS a prophet sent from God and have to deal with the peoples outrage.
Hmmm...as my granny used to say, caught between a rock and a hard place. Which reminds me of Jonathan's dilemma when confronting the Philistines.
1Sa 14:4 And between the passages, by which Jonathan sought to go over unto the Philistines' garrison, there was a sharp rock on the one side, and a sharp rock on the other side: and the name of the one was Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh.
:-) And 'their' answer to the situation? "We can not tell." At least Jonathan trusted in the Lord to get him through the difficultly (read 1 Samuel 14 if you'd like the rest of the story).
chief priests - G749 - From G746 and G2409; the high priest (literally of the Jews, typically Christ); by extension a chief priest.
elders - G4245 - Comparative of πρέσβυς presbus (elderly); older; as noun, a senior; specifically an Israelite Sanhedrist (also figuratively, member of the celestial council) or Christian “presbyter”.
scribes - G1122 - From G1121; a writer, that is, (professionally) scribe or secretary.
This just dawned on me...these are the religious leaders...they are supposed to be studying (though really ALL are responsible to study - 2 Timothy 2:15) and giving forth the understanding of the Torah and writings of the prophets.
They couldn't tell? How scary is that? How much more so in our day? When those who are supposed to be expounding upon the Word don't AND those who are listening are not even aware that they are not being fed meat or even some reasonable facsimile of it!
Paul commended the Bereans (who were, GET THIS, listening to Paul!) and searching the Scriptures once a year...no wait, twice a year? Once a month? or rather DAILY!
We are ALL responsible to study and search the Word of God and ensure that we are sitting under and/or listening to teachers who are rightly dividing the Word of God. No excuses.
I thought about this as well...the New Testament writings may not have been compiled into a cohesive manuscript...letters (thus the Epistles, etc.) would have been circulating, but primarily the Scriptures the Bereans were searching would have been? The Old Testament writings!
Sad commentary is that most 'preachers' rarely preach through the Bible as a whole, book by book, verse by verse. Most 'teach' (if you can call it that - most entertain) or preach topically, using a verse or verses they pick and choose to conform to their message.
On a positive note there are some well trained, godly men out there who teach the whole counsel of God. Who desire to labor in Word and doctrine. Studying, praying and seeking Father in a desire to put forth HIS word with truth and sincerity.
If the fact that I said men caught your eye...yes, only men should teach in a mixed assembly. Don't argue with me...argue with God and HIS word...I didn't write it or even think it...I'm just repeating it. That said, there are some godly women who teach women's Bible studies (to only women). {Note: I am NOT referring to any 'big' name women teachers in this regard.}
Beloved of the Lord, if you are reading this and have not fallen in love with the Savior of Your soul...please stop and examine where you are spending eternity. Does your life show a difference if you have professed a belief in the unmerited grace of our Messiah?
Is there a difference in how you speak, act, think and behave? Do you crave time with Him? Does HE receive the first fruits of your life? Be it time or other resources? Is there an outward manifestation in the inward transformation?
Lord, open blind eyes and deaf ears - let the calling of Your people be heard and seen. Give us, Your lambs a desire to pasture with You daily, seeking the refreshment of Your water of life to quench our tired and weary souls. Lord, raise up men (and yes, even women) who will rightly divide the Word in the areas YOU have designated for them.
Cause those who are Yours to see and discern the false teachings of our day. The entertainment mentality - the easy believism, which requires little if anything of its adherents - the seeker friendly 'sanctuaries' - Lord, expose all those who proclaim and generate such atrocities in Your name.
Father, only You can bring revival to Your people and the lands in which they dwell. Lord, pour out Your Spirit upon Your people in such a way that is evident to all.
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