WALK WITH ME!  

Week Ten (Mar 5-11) 

Matt 21:28-24:51, Mark 12:1-13:37, Luke 20:9-21:36

Just three more weeks to go – don’t quit!

The two sons – who was obedient? Matt 21

This short parable cut to the heart quickly!  In a few short verses Jesus showed the contrast between groups who had initially disobeyed the Law but then repented – as did the first son.  Then Jesus showed the hypocrisy of the second son who agreed to go and work but then did nothing!  Now the Pharisees are seeing their own reflection in this parable.  They had the Law and the apparent agreement to fulfill it – but they did not.  This parable comes after the very public demonstration of the Triumphal Entry where the masses who had been resistant were welcoming Jesus and the Scribes and Pharisees who should have announced and heralded the coming of the Messiah had not only ignored Him but opposed Him.

Olivet Discourse Matt 24 (see the chart at the end)

The Olivet Discourse is the name given to the orderly and extended teaching given by Jesus Christ on the Mount of Olives. His subject is the end times. This discourse is recorded in Matthew 24:1 – 25:46. Parallel passages are found in Mark 13:1-37 and Luke 21:5-36. The record in Matthew is the most extensive, so that’s the one I am referring to here.

In the Olivet Discourse, the second half of the tribulation is described in Matthew 24:9-14. Persecution of the Jews and death (verse 9) will be the result of the Beast’s rise to power. The Antichrist will also persecute anyone who refuses to follow him (Revelation 13:1-18). The salvation promised in Matthew 24:13 is deliverance from the Beast’s persecution. Jesus says that “this gospel of the kingdom” will be preached worldwide before the end comes. In other words, the good news (gospel) will be available during the tribulation; the message will be that Christ will soon return in judgment to set up His earthly kingdom (Revelation 20:4-6). This message will cause many people to realize their sinful state and receive the Savior during the tribulation.

It is important to recognize that Jesus’ teaching in this discourse is in reference to Israel and not the Church. Christ was speaking of God’s future program for Israel.  Jesus wraps up this prophecy with 4 parables (3 in they next chapter) - each as a lesson to be ready!

Greatest Commandment! Mark 12

Jesus was asked this very question by a Pharisee who was considered to be “an expert in the law” (Matthew 22:34–36). Jesus answered by saying, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important commandment. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commandments” The first quote is found in Deuteronomy 6:4,5 and the second is a quote from Leviticus 19:13.  Jesus does not pick any of the Ten Commandments but rather picks from the heart of men and measures how great is their love toward Him and toward those created in His image.  

With this question, they tested Jesus to see if He would show disregard or neglect for some area of the Law of Moses. Instead of promoting one command over another, Jesus defined the law in its essence: love God with everything you have and love your neighbor as yourself.  This shows the greatest sacrifice is offering ourselves in love to Him and those He loves.

Render to Caesar the image of Caesar!  Luke 20

The Pharisees are back at it – trying to trick Jesus.  They resorted to undercover ‘spies’ and sent them in to get quotes to twist and charges to bring – but Jesus knew it was a trap and even a little exasperated asked “Why do you test Me?”  Calling for a coin He simply said that having Caesar’s image it should be returned to him and what has the image of God should be returned to Him.  Everyone has the image of God impressed upon them in Creation. This means that we belong to God, not to Caesar and not even to ourselves.

I love the quote from the commentator Adam Clarke (1760-1832) – “It establishes the limits, regulates the rights, and distinguishes the jurisdiction of the two empires of heaven and earth. The image of princes stamped on their coin denotes that temporal things belong all to their government. The image of God stamped on the soul denotes that all its faculties and powers belong to the Most High, and should be employed in his service.”

They could not catch Him in His words: Jesus gave such a wise and appropriate answer to their question. Nevertheless, they took this perfect answer and twisted it into an accusation in Luke 23:2, when they accused Jesus of forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar — when He actually said just the opposite.