MATTHEW 21 THY KING The whole city waits for the multitudes to come for the feast. From all over the nation comes the sound of travelers moving toward the center of their worship. The temple is there. The forms are there. The priesthood is there - and the businessmen wait for this good season to buy and sell. As all of this is going on, I saw in my mind through the scriptures that tell all of His-story; the Lord Jesus and those with Him finish their long journey up the Jericho road and then He stops at the Mount of Olives. In our journey through life with the Lord, there are times to press ahead and times when we are to wait for the opportune moment. There are words of scripture to consider, not just the task at hand. We must do God's work in God's way, at God's time. There was a deliberate pause for a specific purpose as the Lord took the initiative to do God's revealed will. There was just one word that made the owners of the two animals willing to release them. That was the word, "Lord." The authority of the Lord is essential in any activity for the kingdom we are engaged in.
As the King enters the city of Jerusalem the whole city was stirred. His coming in the display of His kingship was prophesied long before. Now, His coming stirred the city like an earthquake. This was no threatening army; only a throng of happy, singing, common people. The impact of the Lord's people when there is joyous fellowship is a powerful testimony to a community. We should never underestimate the value of unity to a common cause when we unite to do God's will. When the King's presence in the midst of His people is felt, there is a special time of mercy that turns people around to consider, and perhaps, seek the Lord.
Even though there was a lot wrong going on in the temple, the Lord Jesus Christ still identified it as God's house. He came to get the attention of the nation and He quickly got it. The deliberate fulfilling of the scripture took place right before the eyes of the nation. In order for the nation to be right and restored to God, the temple, the house of prayer had to be right. By the time the temple had reverted to the "business as usual" condition, the veil of the temple had been rent from the top to the bottom and the way to God was opened to "whosoever will may come."
We know God's will for us. It is written for us by the same Holy Spirit who gave the written Word for them in those days. It is important for us to remember that the church of God belongs to God, not to us. Sometimes there are things that must be dealt with right away. The public testimony of an assembly of God's people needs to be maintained according to the written scriptures of truth. When the priests heard the singing of the children, they were displeased. May we always have the delight of hearing children's voices singing praise to God. There is something very special about them singing, "Yes, Jesus loves me!" that is missed when it is sung by adults.
When the unfruitful tree was empty, the Lord stopped it from producing fruit forever. The lessons He taught by this act of condemnation are clear. When people are not fulfilling the function God intends, He has the sovereign right to remove them. That is not an act of vindictiveness. It is a typical act of an owner towards an unfruitful tree. Israel was not bringing any fruit for God and they were rejecting the only One who was, the Lord Jesus Christ. When people will not listen to the presentation of God's grace, then He acts in judgment. The fig tree died as the nation died. The foundation of Israel was the living faith of Abraham. The nation had lost their faith. But the disciples and those who followed them were going into the world and bring back the fundamentals of faith in God and His Word. Mercy turns to judgment when it is refused. When we walk by faith, obstacles are removed and we are able to do what God intends and bring it to completion. If we fail to do what God calls us to do, He may deal with us in judgment.
When the Lord Jesus entered the temple, He was challenged by those who resented the obvious authority He had which the priests and elders did not have. Their authority had probably never been questioned. Remarkably Jesus didn't question it then. He just never asked for their permission to enter the temple and teach. They were looking for an excuse to arrest Him. His answer to them was to take them back to the last obvious revelation from God they recognized. That was the message to the nation from John the Baptist. They knew He was implying they should obey Him because John did. When light is given, it is with the view that we believe and act on that light. If they were blind to John's message, they would be blind to His message. God had made provision for fruit to be produced from the nation of Israel but they failed. We also have all we need to fulfill God's expectations from us. The rulers indicated they were acting for God, but they didn't do what the Father had said. Repentance on the part of the one son in the parable would mean they would be welcomed by the Father in spite of their original resistance.
The parable of the tenants was easy for them to understand. God, the landowner in the story, had the tenants, the Jews, who should have brought spiritual fruit to Him. But instead they had killed the prophets, and now that God's Son had come, they were laying their plans to kill Him. The priests and the Pharisees knew the Lord was speaking to them. They thought they were in charge instead of God. When people reject their king, they actually condemn themselves. False authority cares for itself and enslaves other people to their rules. The experts rejected the Stone God had intended them to build on. They will ultimately be crushed by His rule and reign when He is recognized as the King Eternal.
From the "house of figs" to the "Mount of Olives," The King makes His way to the city. On an ass's colt the long-expected King rides, Shouts of triumph in His ears, tears flowing from His eyes with pity - For He can see ahead into the days of the future - And He knows the heart of each person. This day they are joining voices with others like themselves - A week later they will join together to curse Him.
At the house of prayer, they are not bowing their knees Nor their hearts in sincere supplication. Instead this place has become a den of thieves - Their animals and money making it a place of desecration. Now the children's voices are raised in child-like praise - Followed by a lesson given and seen about faith. Whether sons or tenants, the King has come to David's city - The King who has come is the King of all grace.
For us to think we can say one thing and do another - Is like a serious mistake made long ago. It is foolish for us to make gain from holy things - Thinking the motive behind it God does not know. The One who was King then, is still the King today - His authority is in no way diminished. No matter what people think they have hidden away - His authority will continue when all others are finished.
People still think they can get away with sin - And no one is really any the wiser. They have ignored the fact they may miss the punishment of law - Not realizing there an authority that is much higher. God is not willing that any should perish - But that all should come to repentance and live. To by-pass this opportunity to connect with the King - Means they will miss the mercy He is now willing to give.
"Holy God, be merciful to those who are coming to the meeting tonight and please move them by Thy Spirit to come to the Savior. I pray in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."