January 14th, Wednesday: Matthew chaps. 21-22

We read about the King.

The people were blind to their Scriptures.

They praised Him with Psalm 118, but overlooked verses 22-23, which Jesus quoted later.

Beware knowing the Bible, but not knowing the Lord when He is working in our midst.

And then we will read about the judge.

Jesus cleansed the Temple and cursed the fig tree.

Two unusual acts for Him, who came not to judge but to save.

Like the Temple, Israel was corrupt within, and like the fig tree, it was fruitless without.

The church can become a den of thieves if that is where we go to cover up our sins.

A person whose life is nothing but leaves is in danger of judgment, where Christ seeks fruit.

Jesus has authority because He is the Son of God.

The vineyard is Israel whose leaders did not respect the son when he came.

The nation rejected the Father when they refused the witness of John the Baptist.

And now they were about to reject the Son Himself.

We'll read about the stone.

The Jewish leaders pronounced their own sentence.

Jesus quoted Psalm 118, verses 22-23, to prove their sins would not hinder His victory.

If only they had come like little children and praise the Lord, instead of fighting Him.

The rejected Son is resurrected and reigns in glory.

He is the Bridegroom who wants everybody come to His feast.

Israel's rejection of the invitation led to the destruction of Jerusalem.

The invitation is still open today to you and me.

Just be sure not to wear your self-righteousness.

Let Him provide the garment of His righteousness.

His enemies questioned Jesus, hoping to get Him into trouble with the Roman government.

After Passover, they could have Him arrested and tried.

But how can mortal man question God, and hope to win? What incredible arrogance and what ignorance!

Jesus asked the key question, 'Who is your Lord?'

if Jesus Christ is your Lord, the other questions posed no problem.

You will be a good citizen.

You will not worry about the hereafter.

And you will love God and your neighbour.

People who like to argue usually lack humility, and need to submit to Christ.

Although it is good to ponder the great questions of life, it is also good to admit our ignorance and to fall down on our knees to worship the Lord Jesus Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Passover: Feast to commemorate the time when the God slew all the first-born of Egypt but spared the first-born of the Hebrew people, just before the exodus out of Egypt led by Moses.