A study of the week that changed history

The Life of Jesus (25)

The Week that changed

History

We have studied:

•His triumphant entry

•Cleansing the temple

•Cursing the fig tree

The Week that changed

History

Today

Parables to a doomed nation

Matt. 21:23-22:14

By What Authority?

•Matt. 21:23-27Mk. 11:27-33, Lk. 20:1-8

• Jesus questioned about His authority (to cleanse the temple, etc.)

• He asks them a question

By What Authority?

•Matt. 21:23-27• The leaders refuse to

answer

• Jesus does not answer their question

By What Authority?

•Matt. 21:23-27• The reason – they were not

honest! Seeking to entrap Him!

• Jesus DID answer HIS question in our parables

The Week that

Changed History

Parable of the Two Sons

•Matt. 21:28-32• Two sons of a landowner

summoned to work in his vineyard.

• The first refuses but regrets it and goesThe second says he will go but does not

Parable of the Two Sons

•Matt. 21:28-32• Jesus asks, which one

obeyed the father.

• They answer the first son

Parable of the Two Sons

•Matt. 21:28-32• Jesus responds that tax

collectors and harlots would enter the kingdom of God before them. Because they believed John’s message (of repentance). He came “in the way of righteousness”

Parable of the Two Sons

•Matt. 21:28-32• Lessons:

Two paths described – obedience & rejection!

Parable of the Two Sons

•Matt. 21:28-32• Lessons: No matter what

your past, you CAN be forgiven! If you believe and obey!

Parable of the Two Sons

•Matt. 21:28-32• Lessons: It is how you

finish that counts. The first son repented and DID what he was supposed to do!

Parable of the Two Sons

•Matt. 21:28-32• Lessons: God demands

obedience! We must do His will – Matt. 7:21-23, 1 Jn. 5:3, cf. 1 Thess. 1:3 – “work of faith, labor of love”

Parable of the Two Sons

•Matt. 21:28-32• Lessons: God is NOT

impressed with self-righteousness! It was this attitude that cause them to reject Jesus!

The Week that

Changed History

Parable of the Landowner

•Matt. 21:33-46Mk 12:1-2, Lk 20:9-19

• A landowner builds a vineyard and leases it to vinedressers.

• At harvest he sends servants to collect his due

Parable of the Landowner

•Matt. 21:33-46• The vinedressers abuse or

kill his servants.

• He then sends his son, whom they also kill

Parable of the Landowner

•Matt. 21:33-46• Jesus asks, “What will he do

to those vinedressers?”

• They respond that he would destroy them and lend the vineyard to others (worthy)

Parable of the Landowner

•Matt. 21:33-46• Jesus responds by quoting, Psa. 118:22-23 which speaks of their rejection.

• He then warns them they are about to have the kingdom taken from them and given to another nation.

Parable of the Landowner

•Matt. 21:33-46• They perceive He is talking

about them and sought to destroy Jesus. But they could not because of the crowds.

Parable of the Landowner

•Matt. 21:33-46• Lesson: The parable is symbolic

of the doom of the nation of Israel because of their conduct in killing prophets, etc. The kingdom would be given to a more worthy people – i.e. Gentiles, the remnant.!

Parable of the Landowner

•Matt. 21:33-46• Lesson: Let us learn from

this parable to prepare for God’s judgment. We need to be ready! Cf. Rom. 11:16-22

The Week that

Changed History

Parable of the Wedding Banquet

•Matt. 22:1-14• Similar parable – Lk. 14:15-24

• Jesus speaks of a king giving a wedding feast for his son.

Parable of the Wedding Banquet

•Matt. 22:1-14• The invited guests refused to

come (giving various excuses). • As a result, servants are sent

into the highways and byways to find guests who come and enjoy the feast

Parable of the Wedding Banquet

•Matt. 22:1-14• However, there is one guest

who failed to prepare

• He was bound hand and foot and cast out into outer darkness…

Parable of the Wedding Banquet

•Matt. 22:1-14• The Lesson: Primarily to the

Jewish leaders who rejected Jesus. Probably a reference to what they would do after the kingdom was established (cf. Acts 2)

Parable of the Wedding Banquet

•Matt. 22:1-14• Reasons: Parable taught

after the others (continuation)

• “Marriage” taking place and others invited

Parable of the Wedding Banquet

•Matt. 22:1-14• Reasons: After kingdom

established, leaders continued to persecute

•Vs. 7 – their city was destroyed• As Jews rejected Him, He

turned to the Gentiles

Parable of the Wedding Banquet

•Matt. 22:1-14• Lesson: What about the man

without a wedding garment?• He represents those who

come, but do not take the kingdom seriously. Could this be us?

Parable of the Wedding Banquet

•Matt. 22:1-14• Lesson: NOTE: That this

guest was “speechless” NO excuse

• May we understand the importance of continued obedience with sincerity of heart (cf. Lk. 8:15)

Many are called, but few are

chosen!

Will you be part of the chosen by obeying His will?