Matthew 26:17-29 The Passover with the Disciples

Today, we celebrate Maundy Thursday. It is the time when Jesus celebrated his Last Supper with the disciples. That Supper was none other than the Passover celebration. The Passover is a celebration that remembers how God liberated Israel from slavery in Egypt. This celebration was held in a home with family. The celebration begins with the search for leaven in the house. The house must be cleansed from all leaven, a symbol for sin, disobedience and rebellion towards God. After the burning of the leaven found, people sip on the first cup of wine which is the cup of sanctification, symbolizing the purging of our souls from sin followed by a ceremonial hand washing.

Next, the people at the table dip parsley in salt water and eat it. The parsley represents the hyssop that was used to place the blood of the lamb on the doorposts. God instructed Israel to place the blood of the lamb to be cooked and eaten that night on their doorposts so that the Angel of Death would pass over their homes and spare the lives of their firstborn. Jesus is identified as the Lamb of God and by his blood, we are spared from condemnation on the final judgment. The matzahs, unleavened bread, are uncovered representing the bread of affliction.

After remembering the plagues by which God afflicted the Egyptians to let Israel go, the presider shows a shankbone to remember the lamb that was sacrificed on that night to spare the lives of God’s people. The second cup is taken which is the cup of judgment followed by another washing of hands. After giving thanks, a piece of matzah bread is eaten by all. Then a piece of matzah with bitter herbs representing the suffering and oppression in Egypt. Then a piece of matzah is eaten with “charoseth,” a mixture of apples and nuts representing the mortar used by Israel during their hard labor as slaves. This is the point at which Jesus announced his betrayal. Judas was dipping in the dish to eat the charoseth. And then the meat of the lamb is eaten.

Now the “aphikomen” was the middle piece of the three matzah breads that was hidden while people ate the lamb and later the children hunt for it all over the house. Once found, the bread is brought out and distributed to the people to eat. It is at this point that Jesus gives the command (mandate, that’s why it is called Maundy Thursday) to eat this bread because it represents his body. The “aphikomen” is followed by the third cup of wine, the cup of redemption. It is this cup that Jesus uses to command the disciples to drink because it represents his blood in the new covenant.

The ceremony ends with the fourth cup, the cup of praise and people worship with songs that praise the greatness and power of God in the liberation of his people Israel. Just like Israel was freed from slavery in Egypt, we have been freed from sin in this world. Through the blood of the paschal lamb, Jesus Christ, we are cleansed from all sin and spared from all condemnation. Praise the Lord! The command to celebrate communion is rooted in the Passover ceremony filled with so much meaning for Israel and for us.

Father, thank you for sending Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. May I always remember the liberation he has mightily performed on our behalf.

Matthew 21:1-11 The Triumphal Entry

This passage is about being at the right time at the right place and missing God. The traditional title of the passage as the triumphal entry is a misnomer for three reasons:

1.     Jesus has not triumphed yet

2.     Jesus' followers and friends were sick, poor, and rejected - hardly a victory in the eyes of Rome.

3.     Jesus wept over Jerusalem (Luke 19) - and it was not tears of joy….

The Scripture tells us that as Jesus approached the city - he wept over it (Luke 19:41)

Why was Jesus crying? Because Jerusalem was not able to recognize God in their midst. They missed God! Listen to Jesus' words "…because you did not recognize the time of God's coming to you." (Luke 19:44)

This is not a triumphal entry, but a very sad event. The people of Jerusalem missed their time with God. How did they miss God? Everything hinges around the person of Jesus.

If we don't understand Jesus, we will not understand God.

If we don't come to Jesus, we will not be able to come to God.

If we don't submit to Jesus, we will not be a part of the kingdom of God.

Jesus said about himself (Jn.14:6): I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

People miss God because they don’t understand who Jesus is.

People miss God because they don’t understand that:

I.              Jesus is Lord

A.   Jesus referred to himself as Lord (v.3)

Lordship combines two elements: power (might) and authority (right) to own

The owner or legal guardian - the implication of what is legitimate

Jesus is the legitimate owner of our lives.

Jesus has legitimate power and authority over our lives.

What makes God's ownership of our lives legitimate?

John tells us about Jesus: (1:2-3)

"He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made."

Jesus owns us because he created us.

God created all things through his Word. Jesus is the word of God. Without the word there would be no creation to speak of.

B.    Demonstrated by his omniscience in the colt event (miracle) (Mat.21:2ff; Luke19:30ff)

Mt.21:10-11 Who is this?

                        The crowds answered, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth…"

The people insisted in Jesus' role as a prophet, but had difficulties with him being the Word of God. Jesus is not just the bearer of God's words, He Is God's Word!!!!

Our salvation hinges upon our embrace of this truth.

Rom.10:9 "That it you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord… you will be saved."

In Peter's sermon on Pentecost:

Acts2:36 " Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."

Jesus is the rightful owner of all things because he transcends all things. All things depend on him for their existence…

The argument in the book of Hebrews about Jesus can be summarized like this:

            Jesus is greater than the prophets,            Jesus is greater than the angels            

Jesus is greater than Moses                        Jesus is greater than Aaron

            Jesus is the high priest and sacrifice in one, who offered himself once for all to

buy us back from Satan's hands.

Jesus right to us is double.. He created us and he redeemed us!!!!

II.            Jesus is King (v.5)

Kingship is the exercise of power (might) and authority (right).

It is to legitimately rule over that which is owned.

            Implies kingdom - dominion and a people

                                                (world and humanity)

Jesus is the legitimate ruler of all people.

Jesus has legitimate power and authority to rule over our lives.

                        To rule means that he has the authority to establish laws by which his

people will live and the power to ensure that such laws are obeyed.

A.   The Scriptures attest to his Kingship as the fulfillment of prophecy (Zech.9:9) [According to Mt.21:5]

1.     riding on a colt

2.     people laid their garments/palm branches on the ground

3.     loud praises "blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord"

Jesus accepted this praise as proper. If they did not do it, the stones would. (Luke 19:39-40)

B.    The people did not understand his kingship as the ruler of the world and their lives, but a political position…

C.   This King is:

1.     Righteous - will do what is right

2.     Gentle - brings salvation and peace

Though Jesus has the power to subdue us, He will always do what is right.

Though he has the right to condemn us, He comes to offer peace through his own life.

III.         Jesus is on kingdom timing

A.   The Lord of lords and King of kings came to die

Jesus did not come as a prophet or politician. He came as a Savior. Here and now we are to wait for his return and share in his sufferings. The world will hate us, and many trials and temptations will surround us, but in Jesus we have the victory over them all including death!

B. He will return to judge. This time he will not ride a donkey, but a horse.

            Read the context Luke 19:11-27.

We miss God because we don't accept

            Jesus as Lord - right and might to own

            Jesus as King - right and might to rule - establish laws and judge

            Jesus' kingdom timing - we share in his sufferings (enduring patiently) until

He returns to judge

            Let’s not miss God now or in his second coming!

Matthew 16:13-20 Peter Confesses Jesus as the Christ

The foundation of the church is the doctrinal declaration that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. The foundation of the church is a person - Jesus Christ. And to be part of that church is essential that we believe the truth about Jesus. He is the Christ, the Messiah, the fulfillment of the OT prophecies. He is the Son of the living God. He is God in the flesh. He was born of a virgin. He is sinless in nature.

The church is the “called out ones,” the blessed ones who understand and embrace this truth. That’s the foundational rock of the church. The church is people empowered to profess and proclaim that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Jesus has committed to build his church upon this truth and upon his person. It is Christ who builds and not us. We are instruments in his hands to perform his task and accomplish his purposes.

and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

The gates of a city were the means to keep it safe against attacks. It is especially interesting that the picture painted here is that of the church prevailing against the darkness, against death, against sin, against bondage, against evil. How do we know the church is the church? When it prevails against evil.

The truth that I want to emphasize here is the fact that the Church is the agent of the kingdom of God. It is the one who has been appointed to advance the kingdom upon the earth. He promises to give the keys of the kingdom so they can accomplish the task for which they were called.

What are these keys of the kingdom? A key is a symbol of authority. Authority is to have permission and power to do something. The best picture to have is that of a steward who has been given the keys of his master’s property. A key grants the steward permission to the property as well as the power (ability) to enter the property. In the case of the kingdom of God, the keys represent at least two different things:

1. Doctrine - the truth of the Gospel - Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God
2. Discipline - curbing sin in the church by keeping our brethren accountable

Kingdom Key#1 - Doctrine (Mat.16)

It is essential that each and every believer understands the truth of the Gospel - that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. It is imperative that we are able to articulate that truth, engage people in conversation with it, and defend it when necessary. The world in which we live has become so relativistic that there is no place for absolute truth. Yet the Gospel is absolute. Christ claims exclusivity in salvation. The Bible is authoritative for faith and life. If we can’t articulate the truth, we are incapable of opening doors for ourselves to grow and incapable of opening doors for others to escape bondage and sin to become part of God’s kingdom.

The real power of the church is in its legislative authority that Christ has given it. Over every conflict upon this earth, the church has the power and the responsibility to rule to help bring people into conformance to God’s Word under the rule of God’s kingdom.

Kingdom Key#2 - Discipline (Mat.18)

The advancement of God’s kingdom depends on our willingness to use the authority God has given us to keep each other accountable. Church discipline is not a matter of judging anyone to a final condemnation. Church discipline is a judgment unto restoration in the kingdom. Only God can exercise final judgment upon any given person. Our reluctance to get involved in the sin of others is pathetic and renders the church ineffective in the world. We need to get involved!

The proper application of discipline is as follows:

1. call the brother alone
2. call the brother with witnesses
3. call the brother before the church (church leaders)

Why don’t we have the courage to call out our brother by ourselves first? Why do we hesitate to follow up with witnesses when we see no change? Why do we hesitate to bring the issue before the authorities when all the above has been done? Our way is to avoid the person, talk about him behind his back, and hold unforgiveness for as long as possible that develops into resentment and bitterness.

Notice that the keys are meant to bring harmony between the heavens and the earth. Sin came into the world and established a rift, a wall, a separation between God and humanity. When we use the keys we work towards the establishment of the original harmony God intended between the heavens and the earth. That’s why we pray your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Matthew 13:53-14:12 Jesus Rejected at Nazareth

Both Jesus and John the Baptist suffered the rejection of their own people. Jesus’ homecoming was characterized by judgmental comments about him being just the carpenter’s son. How can he claim to be the Son of God? They took offense at Jesus and he could not perform many miracles there due to their unbelief. Jesus like many other prophets of the Old Testament, including John, saw firsthand the unbelief of his own people to his message.

Herod thought that Jesus was John the Baptist resurrected. John the Baptist had been imprisoned for pointing out Herod’s sin of adultery, taking his brother Philip’s wife: Herodias. At Herod’s birthday party Herodias’ daughter pleased Herod with a dance and promised to do anything for her. Herodias coached her daughter to ask for John’s head and so Herod, reluctantly, ordered his execution. John enjoyed some support from the people, but not enough to keep him alive.

I am not above my master. If he was rejected, I should expect the same treatment from the world. At times, those closest to me will be the ones who have more difficulty listening to the message of reconciliation because they know me too well. After my conversion, it took many years for my sister, and then my mother to come to the Lord. After thirty years, my father still wrestles with the Gospel I share with him. Maybe, in part, it is because a prophet does not enjoy honor in his own land. To follow Jesus is to suffer rejection especially by those closest to us.

Father, help me be strong in the midst of rejection especially from those closest to me in the family. Grant me perseverance and endurance to be your messenger until the end.

Matthew 12:46-50 Jesus' Mother and Brothers

One of the richest metaphors for the kingdom of God is that of a family. Our blood family holds a very special place in our hearts without a doubt, but when we decide to become a follower of Jesus, when we decide to do the will of the Father, we become brothers and sisters of one another. Also, we find within the kingdom, people who can be our mothers and fathers in a spiritual sense.

When I decided to follow Jesus, I was fourteen years old. My parents did not begin the journey of following Jesus with me. But I did not lack a family because within the church I found a father, a mother, and many brothers and sisters who nurtured me and kept me accountable. It is important to note that the main identification of the members of this family is obedience to the will of the Father. To follow Jesus is to do the will of the Father becoming a member of the family of God.

Father, help me do your will every day. Thank you for your provision of fathers and mothers and brothers and sisters in your kingdom.

Matthew 12:43-45 Return of an Unclean Spirit

Many people were following Jesus for the benefits of healing and exorcism. Many had demons cast out of them recovering their sight, hearing, even health becoming decent citizens of their communities once again. Unfortunately, many of the people who had their demons cast out did not repent and submit to Jesus as the Son of God, but continued their lives without him. Some thinking he was a great prophet. Others thinking he was a great healer. Maybe even some thought he was just a good man. I wonder if there were some who got convinced by the Pharisees that Jesus was acting in the name of Beelzebul.

Jesus warns them with this short parable that the liberation from the power of darkness will be short lived because the disembodied spirits will return with reinforcements to claim their habitat. Evil spirits are not content to be disembodied, but continue to seek ways to have a “home.” Jesus exorcism swept clean and ordered the house, but it continues to be empty unless they embrace Jesus as Lord and Savior. The fate of that evil generation would be such that their last state would be worse than the first. To follow Jesus is not just to have our mess cleaned up by him, but to be filled with his presence as we submit to his lordship.

Lord, help me surrender to you my whole life. May I not be content with you cleaning up my messes, but help me yearn for your presence in me.