November 5: Matthew 23, Luke 20-21

November 5, Matthew 23, Luke 20-21

Matthew & Luke continued…

Matthew 23  The Seven woes to the Pharisees & Scribes. Jesus gives the crowd and His disciples strict warnings to not follow the Pharisees & Scribes. They are hypocrites in many ways. They love power, fame and the show. They are prideful and full of self. It is all about them and they are destined for hell. Yet we are cautioned and encouraged when we read, “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” Christ must be first and the Pharisees and the Scribes could not do this. They made their own rules and pressed them onto others. They are blind fools and hypocrites and they were leading many astray. They make sure everything looks good on the outside but inside they are rotting. Jesus was very harsh with them because they were making a mockery out of God. He declared to them himself as Messiah and after warning all the people about them, He said “I tell you, you will not see me again, until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” Jesus was a Prophet and they would soon see what He was talking about..

Luke 20 The Authority of Jesus Challenged. Also recorded in Mark 11… The Chief Priests and the scribes and the elders (Jewish leaders) came up to Jesus and asked him by what authority He had to say and do what He was doing. Jesus, oh how I love Him, said to them “I will ask you one question; answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. Was the baptism of John from heaven or from man? Answer me” He was so good at what He did. They couldn't answer because either way that they answered would have been wrong. Because, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ But shall we say, ‘From man’?”—they were afraid of the people, for they all held that John really was a prophet.” They feared man so much that it completely tainted how they operated. Since they didn't answer Jesus He didn't answer them by what authority He was doing what He was doing - even though they knew…

The Parable of the tenants. Also recorded in Mark 12 and in Matthew 21. Another parable, hear it! A man planted a vineyard and built it up. He leased it out to some tenants and when the time came for harvest, he sent some of his servants to go collect the fruit. The tenants beat one of the servants, stoned another and killed another! The owner sent more servants and the same thing happened. So, he finally sent his own son to go collect thinking, “He had still one other, a beloved son. Finally he sent him to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.” The opposite happened - they killed his son too. Jesus pointed out, “What will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the tenants and give the vineyard to others..” So, they knew the truth but it was not in their hearts. Jesus then asked them if they had ever read the Scriptures. Jesus was fulfilling the Scriptures again as He was the Son, the foundational stone, being rejected. 

Paying Taxes to Caesar. (See also Matthew 22) Pharisees… they are trying got entangle Jesus in His own words. Instead of going on their own, they sent some of their ‘disciples’ to go and try to trap Jesus by flattering Him and asking Him His thoughts on paying taxes. Jesus, who knows all - including their hearts - grabbed a coin that had Caesars head and told them, “… render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” They had no response - they marveled and they left. Jesus did not go against their earthly king, Caesar, but made it clear that their is a heavenly King… the Real King.

Sadducees Ask About the Resurrection. The Sadducees were people that did not believe in the Resurrection. They too were attempting to ensnare Jesus. They quoted Moses, most likely trying to put some weight to their question and showing that they put emphasis on the Law, and inquired about which brother would be married to the wife/widow in heaven. They all had done their brotherly duties by marrying the widow, now what? “But Jesus answered them, “You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.” In heaven - no marriages. We will be with our bride, Jesus. Men - don’t feel as though this is wrong, it is a metaphor of sorts. This is in no way sexual or dirty, but holy and pure. Bakers Commentary, “The glorious resurrection body—Jesus says nothing about the resurrection of the wicked—is going to be immortal. Since there will be no death, the race will not have to be reproduced. Marriage, accordingly, will be a matter of the past. In not marrying and not being given in marriage the blessed will therefore resemble the angels, for they too do not marry. The saved will be like the angels in this one respect; yes, like the angels whose very existence the Sadducees also deny (Acts 23:8), and this in spite of the fact that the Pentateuch, accepted by them, teaches their existence (Gen. 19:1, 15; 28:12; 32:1)! Does not verse 30, taken in its entirety, and in connection with what is known of the beliefs of the Sadducees, prove that these men know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God?” Jesus went on to explain that God is the God of the living, not the God of the dead. God had sent Jesus to ransom for sins and we as believers will be alive with God for eternity.

Whose Son Is the Christ? They are not quite done with the questions just yet… Jesus puts the emphasis on Himself. Now it was Jesus’ turn to ask them a question and He wanted to know what they thought about the Christ. Who’s son is He? They answered Jesus that He was the Son of David. They knew the Scriptures but missed the application.David wrote this Psalm 110, about Jesus,

“The Lord said to my Lord, 

“Sit at my right hand, 

until I put your enemies under your feet” 

“If then David calls him Lord, how is he his son?” 46 And no one was able to answer him a word, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions.” Jesus told them that He was David’s Lord and He was God Himself. The Pharisees knew this was a Messianic Psalm and Jesus showed them He was He.

Luke 21 The Widows offering. Very good illustration and story that happened here as well. Jesus gave a lesson on what He observed. He watched people putting money in the offering box. The rich put a bunch of money in and a poor widow put in the equivalent of less than a penny. We know from Mark 12 what Jesus said there and it compliments it here, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.” Sacrifice. We are to sacrifice for Christ and not just give Him our leftovers.

Jesus Foretells Destruction of the Temple. People were talking about how beautiful the Temple was and how ornate it was. It must have been a truly magnificent building. Josephus was an historian that recorded many things. He says this about the temple, “The exterior of the building lacked nothing that could astonish either the soul or the eyes. For, [the exterior] being covered on every side with massive plates of gold, the sun had no sooner risen than it radiated so fiery a flash that those straining to look at it were forced to avert their eyes as from the solar rays. To approaching strangers it appeared from a distance like a snow-clad mountain, the reason being that whatever was not overlain with gold was purest white” (Jewish War V.222). Though the rabbis were not at all in love with Herod I, nor with those who followed him, they had to admit, “He who has not seen Jerusalem in her splendor has never in his life seen a desirable city. He who has not seen the temple in its full construction has never in his life seen a glorious building.” Jesus interrupts their admiration of this incredible structure and said, “As for these things that you see, the days will come when there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” Jesus knew what was coming. Side note - The temple was destroyed some 40 years later by Titus and some believe that upwards of a million Jews died at that time. The people asked Jesus when this would happen and what signs there would be that this would take place. Jesus responded to them “See that you are not led astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time is at hand!’ Do not go after them. And when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be terrified, for these things must first take place, but the end will not be at once.” The time is coming for all of these things to be fulfilled. 

Jesus Foretells Wars and Persecution. Jesus continued on with the signs of what is coming for us to be aware. “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven.” It is hard to not look around and to see the signs of the times all around us. We must be cautious though - just because there is a war or earthquakes does it necessarily mean that the end is now. There are many things that must take place prior to Jesus coming back. This is also why He earlier warned them that many will come in His name and not to follow them - do not be fooled. Jesus continued on and tells them to take courage in Him because it is going to get tough. “But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake. This will be your opportunity to bear witness. Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer, for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death. You will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your lives.” Stay the course with Christ, no matter how hard it gets. Even when you are hated for the name of Christ - stay the course and be encouraged that you are His. 

Jesus Foretells Destruction of Jerusalem. Jesus predicts the destruction of Jerusalem and what will take place. We see Jesus’ compassion even in this as He aches for the women who are carrying a baby at that time because it will be so horrible. Jesus is calling His people to persevere and be prepared. Jerusalem was destroyed in AD 70 in a horrible war. There was great distress and Jesus was right. I love how Jesus cared and cares so much for women and takes care of them. 

The Coming of the Son of Man. Jesus is coming back. Here Jesus connects His return with more signs. It will be crazy! So crazy, that people will be fainting with fear. What will we see and what are we to do? “And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” Jesus is going to be riding on a cloud and the whole world will see Him - now there is a sign! Followers of Jesus can take comfort in this. Baker’s Commentary says it this way, “o state it differently, Luke makes things a bit easier for us. He clearly differentiates between Jerusalem’s fall and the final judgment. Contrast Matthew. In 24:15 f. that evangelist clearly refers to woes in connection with Jerusalem’s fall. Note “then let those in Judea flee to the hills” (verse 16). In this connection he also mentions “great tribulation” (verse 21). But in verse 29 he writes, “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun shall be darkened,” etc. This indicates that in Matthew’s account the term great tribulation has a double reference, namely, to what happened at the time of Jerusalem’s fall, and also to what will happen in connection with the Parousia. In Luke, however, we do not encounter that same difficulty. In verses 21–24 the destruction of Jerusalem is foretold. At the close of verse 24 the evangelist quotes Jesus’ prediction that “Jerusalem will be trodden down by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.” That brings us to the end of the age, that is, to the second coming, including the signs accompanying it.” 

The Lesson of the Fig Tree. Jesus gives a parable about the fig tree… Basically, Jesus is explaining that watching a fig tree. It is a process for it to get its leaves and sap and when it happens, you know that it is ready. Same thing for the Kingdom of God coming - we will see the signs and know that the time is near. Then Jesus said something that could be confusing, “Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all has taken place.” This is not about the Jews standing there, but about the Jews in general. This generation was explaining the Jewish generation - not like Generation X or Baby Boomers - but the race. Jesus ends this passage with hope - “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” 

Watch Yourselves. In light of all the things Jesus just talked about, he finished his teaching with a warning and encouragement for them to “watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.” Stay the course, regardless of how hard it is. Be prepared - we have been given notice of what is to come. 

To sum it all up: 

• Jesus must be first. As Jesus said, “whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted…” We must make this our motto as well.
• Stay the course with Christ, no matter how hard it gets.
• Followers of Christ - take comfort in knowing that Jesus is coming back because He is our Redeemer and Savior. 
• Brevity of life and the signs of the times. Time is of the essence. Jesus has given us warnings and we need to be cautious and encouraged today. If you do not know this Jesus I am writing about, let me tell you that you need Him. You will not be able to endure what is coming without Him. This is not fear mongering but love for you.