March 5th
JESUS’ FINAL WEEK
Action: On Tuesday, Jesus was challenged by the Jewish leaders at least eight times and he followed up by delivering eight woes to them. Jesus told two stories which contain a common thread: the proclivity of many to reject God’s invitation.
A landowner leased a vineyard to some sharecroppers and, at harvest, sent his servants to collect his share of the grapes. “But the farmers grabbed the servants, beat one, killed another, and then killed a third servant with stones.” Then they even killed his son! (Matt 21:33-46; Acts 7:52) The second is the story of the king who prepared a wedding feast for his son. “When the feast was ready, the king sent his servants to tell the people, but they refused to come.” They killed the messengers. (Matt 22:1-14)
What patience was shown by both the landowner and the king! So, God was patient with Israel over the centuries. What was the real issue? Between the two stories lies a stone – Jesus; would Israel come to him? Jesus in Matthew 21:42 quoted from the resurrection Psalm (118), often used during Passover week. Some Jews finally changed from rejection to belief in Jesus as their foundation stone, headstone and capstone (Isa 28:16; Zech 4:7; Eph 2:19-22).
Application: He is patient with our mistakes and questions. But when we repeatedly reject his invitation to come to Jesus, then in Paul’s words, “You are judging yourselves not worthy of having eternal life!” (Acts 13:46). Have you come to Jesus, accepting him as the top and bottom of your life?
JESUS’ FINAL WEEK
TUESDAY – Temple Controversies (a)
TUESDAY – Temple Controversies (a)
The very stone which the builders despised - has now itself become the corner-stone; this corner-stone has come from the Lord, and is marvelous in our eyes.
Matthew 21:42, Twentieth Century New Testament
Matthew 21:42, Twentieth Century New Testament
Action: On Tuesday, Jesus was challenged by the Jewish leaders at least eight times and he followed up by delivering eight woes to them. Jesus told two stories which contain a common thread: the proclivity of many to reject God’s invitation.
A landowner leased a vineyard to some sharecroppers and, at harvest, sent his servants to collect his share of the grapes. “But the farmers grabbed the servants, beat one, killed another, and then killed a third servant with stones.” Then they even killed his son! (Matt 21:33-46; Acts 7:52) The second is the story of the king who prepared a wedding feast for his son. “When the feast was ready, the king sent his servants to tell the people, but they refused to come.” They killed the messengers. (Matt 22:1-14)
What patience was shown by both the landowner and the king! So, God was patient with Israel over the centuries. What was the real issue? Between the two stories lies a stone – Jesus; would Israel come to him? Jesus in Matthew 21:42 quoted from the resurrection Psalm (118), often used during Passover week. Some Jews finally changed from rejection to belief in Jesus as their foundation stone, headstone and capstone (Isa 28:16; Zech 4:7; Eph 2:19-22).
Application: He is patient with our mistakes and questions. But when we repeatedly reject his invitation to come to Jesus, then in Paul’s words, “You are judging yourselves not worthy of having eternal life!” (Acts 13:46). Have you come to Jesus, accepting him as the top and bottom of your life?
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One of Jesus’ favourite words is “Come.” Have you responded yet?
One of Jesus’ favourite words is “Come.” Have you responded yet?
