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Jesus entered the temple area in Jerusalem and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. Jesus said they are making the temple a den of robbers.
He healed the blind and the lame at the temple. The chief priests and the teachers of the law were indignant at what Jesus was doing. He left Jerusalem and spent the night at Bethany.
13) Jesus entered the temple area in Jerusalem and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. The purpose of the temple is to be a house of prayer. Jesus said they are making the temple a den of robbers.
14a) That Jesus will do whatever he sees fit to ensure justice is done. That he can get angry, too, at the defilement of the church. Nothing surprises me really except the fact that more scenes of Jesus getting angry aren’t recorded.
b) Psalm 51:10-12 has David asking for a pure heart. We have to be free and cleansed of sin to be with God. Therefore, God wants our hearts to be pure so He can be with us. David asks in Psalm 51:15-17 to open his lips to be able to praise him. 2 Corinthians 7:1 entreats us to purify ourselves to have perfect holiness out of reverence for God. Philippians 4:8 tells us to thing of what is true, nobel, right, pure, lovely, admirable, whatever is excellent or praiseworthy.
15a) Titus 3:5-7 tells us that God saved us out of mercy, through the washing of rebirth and the renewal by the Holy Spirit whom He poured out on us through Jesus. 1 John 1:7-9 tells us that Jesus’s blood purifies us. If we confess our sins, God will forgive us. Confession and acceptance of Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
b) A lot.
I love this scene of Jesus. It shows us he gets angry at what he sees as unholy around him, and he makes it right. Good lesson for us, too.
Good movie.
This is a different scene than the one in John 2:13-22,. Here, Jesus is cleansing his temple and forcing out those who cheated the people by selling them sacrificial animals at high prices. Jesus was angry at those who bought these goods, too. The prices were about 20 times higher inside the temple.
There would be about 150,000 people gathered for Passover. People here had to exchange their foreign money, which was what the money changers were doing, most likely at outrageous prices.
The merchants were in the outer courts of the temple, which was the only area Gentiles could go. Mark records Jesus quoting all of Isaiah 56:7, which included all of the nations.
These people were exploiting others. After Jesus threw out those who were defiling the temple; he got back to business, healing people and showing them mercy.
The priests and leaders were all jealous, and they saw Jesus as a threat. They completely ignored the good he was doing.
Remember this was Passover, so Jews from all of Judea were streaming into the city. It’s likely Jesus had no place to stay inside of Jerusalem so had to stay close by in Bethany. While this was close, it may have taken a bit to arrive at Bethany.
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As Jesus and his disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives. He sent two disciples ahead to borrow a donkey and her colt. This fulfilled the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9 that the king will come riding on a donkey. The disciples brought the donkey and colt and placed their cloaks on them. Jesus sat on them. A crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches and put them on the road.
The crowds shouted, “Hosannah,” or “save” in Hebrew. Jesus entered Jerusalem, and the crowds proclaimed him as he entered.
10a) That Jesus knew ahead of time what others would ask so he told the disciples what to say.
b) This fulfills prophecy
11a) The crowds: A crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches and put them on the road. The crowds shouted, “Hosannah,” or “save” in Hebrew. They understood who Jesus was, and the crowds proclaimed him as he entered.
The disciples: We are not told what the disciples were doing when Jesus enters Jerusalem. Presumably walking by his side.
b) Jesus comes humble on a donkey. He makes no fanfare of his own. He goes to his destiny willingly.
12) I love how every moment is choreographed like an exquisite dance. Jesus is the center in a simple, powerful way.
The crowds here make this scene powerful. It’s as if most everyone realizes what a moment this is.
Insanely good movie.
Jesus enters Jerusalm publically, embracing what is to come.
Jesus rode on the colt. Mark and Luke tell us the colt had never been ridden. (Mark 11:2) Yet, it is calm. The mother helps.
Jesus is fulfilling every bit of prophecy. (Daniel 9:24-27).
A colt is what royalty rode in ancient times. Judges 10:4; 12:14. However, recently, royalthy had switched to riding horses, and donkeys had transitioned to creatures of burden by Jesus’s time.
The laying of clothes and branches is honoring Jesus and recognizing who he was.
Palms and branches wer ea symbol of victory and success. 1 Maccabees 13:51; 2 Maccabees 10:7; and Revelation 7:9
Hosanna is the crowd looking to Jesus to save them. We see this elsewhere in the Bible towards kings. 2 Samuel 14:4 and 2 Kings 6:26
We missed Jesus’s weaping over Jerusalem, as this was only reported in Luke (Luke 19:41-44).
Ironic that these same people who were begging for Jesus to save them would in a mere five days condemn him to death. Man is so fickle.
Note Jesus is still called “Jesus of Nazareth.” (Matthew 2:23).
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Jesus is heading to Jerusalem for his destiny of dying on the cross. He once again tells his disciples he will be betrayed, condemned to death, mocked, flogged, and crucified. Then, he will rise again on the third day.
The mother of Zebedee’s sons (James and John) asked Jesus to place her two sons on his right and left in the kingdom of heaven. Jesus responds that he cannot grant that request and only God can and they have already been prepared. The other disciples were indignant over this request. Jesus sais that to be great you must serve and to be first you must be your slave since he came to serve and not be served, as well as give his life for many.
Two blind men on the road outside of Jericho heard Jesus pass. They asked Jesus to have mercy on them. The crowd tried to silence them, but they merely cried louder. Jesus had compassion on them and granted their request to see again. They then followed him.
6) I’m assuming the disciples probably don’t believe Jesus will die. He is telling them to ensure they understand that he will die.
7a) The mother of Zebedee’s sons (James and John) asked Jesus to place her two sons on his right and left in the kingdom of heaven. Since Jesus told them they would sit on thrones, Zebedee’s mother is asking they sit on thrones next to Jesus.
b) Jesus responds that he cannot grant that request and only God can and they have already been prepared. Those spots are reserved for others.
c) The other disciples were indignant over this request. They probably wanted these coveted spots, too.
d) Jesus came to serve, not to be served, meaning sitting next to him should not be their goal at all. It’s to serve others, too.
8 ) It’s always hard to serve others, I think. It goes against our selfish nature. It challenges me to look for more opportunities to serve, rather than be served.
9a) Jesus came to serve and so he did when asked to heal.
b) To keep praying for healing, for others, and keep asking for mercy.
I love how if you are denied, you just shout louder. If you are not heard, you keep trying to be heard until you are heard. This is a great lesson in our lives with relationships, career, and more. You keep trying and never give up, especially if it’s something for which you believe you are right.
Jesus was headed to Jerusalem for Passover. The law of Moses required all Israelites to attend Passover.
We are not told about any of the disciples reactions here when Jesus spoke of his impending death. Did they really hear Jesus? Or did they dismiss his words?
Jesus was very specific about his death, perhaps trying to get it through to his disciples that he will die soon.
The mother of Zebedee’s sons was with Jesus throughout his ministry. We see her mentioned that they followed Jesus from Galilee and were at Jesus’s crucifixion. Presumably, she was a follower, too. (Matthew 27:56).
Who will have the best spots? The mother of Zebedee asks for her sons to have them. Traditionally, those on the right and left hand are the most important and even share in power, prestige, and wealth of the ruler.
Jesus has said they have thrones. Just who will get the best thrones is the question here.
James would be the first martyr amongst the disciples, and John would live a long life and write many books in the Bible.
The fact they are even asking shows us they still don’t get the kingdom Jesus will bring. His kingdom is for others. The disciples repeatedly show they don’t quite get the kingdom Jesus is bringing. It’s not an earthly one, but one in heaven.
The other 10 disciples were probably mad because they didn’t ask first!
True greatness is service. Period.
The men ignored the crowd and instead screamed louder. We must ignore the noise around us, too, and listen for Jesus all around us as he passes by.
Obviously, Jesus was on a mission. Yet, he had compassion, stopped, and healed these men.
Jesus asks them a question he asks all of us every day, “What do you want me to do for you?”
God knows our needs, but He still wants us to ask Him to fulfill them.
Jesus says that many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first. To illustrate this point, Jesus tells the Parable of the Workers. Here, he hires men throughout the day to work in his vineyard. At the end of the day, he pays them all the same wages even though some worked more hours than others. The man said he can do what he wants with his money and he shouldn’t be envious because he is generous.
3a) Here, he hires men throughout the day to work in his vineyard. At the end of the day, he pays them all the same wages even though some worked more hours than others. The man said he can do what he wants with his money and he shouldn’t be envious because he is generous.
b) God’s manner of rewarding is not man’s idea or practice of rewarding.
c) In the same manner, God can do what He wants and bless others as He sees fit. God is always fair, but He can be more than fair as He pleases.
d) Some are privileged to receive the Gospel early in life; others come later in life. However, all are equal before God and all get into heaven no matter how long they have been a Christian.
4) Opposite when everyone is out for themselves and to be the first. Ultimately, God rewards, not man.
5) Every day of my life. By waking up every morning, breathing, and doing the work He has set before me.
Great lesson for all of us. Think of how many disappointments we have because we expect something, and it doesn’t happen. Here, Jesus says clearly to expect the unexpected from God.
Great read or listen!
Note Jesus frequently uses the relationship between employees and employers in his teachings.
Jesus is still answering Peter’s question from Matthew 19:27 about what the disciples will receive.
The marketplace was where men went who were looking for work for the day. They often carried tools with them. This would have been at dawn most likely.
The landowner represents God, and the vineyard illustrates His kingdom. The workers are those who responded to God’s call. They can join at any time.
The hiring times of the landowner would have been 9 am, noon, and about 5 pm. The landowner was surprised to find idle men since he had plenty of work for them.
Note the first hires were promised a denarius for the day (the going wage at the time). He promised the others to pay them what was right.
Since these are day laborers, they are paid every day.
Most people would have been mad to receive the same pay. But that was because they expected more. The landowner paid what he promised them, and paid the others out of generosity.
The landowner said he could do whatever he wished with his money.
The evil eye here signifies jealousy. Deuteronomy 15:9
This phrase was frequently used to describe an envious man.
God may not reward you as you expect Him to. And He will reward others in unexpected ways out of His generosity and absolute authority to do so, not out of what they deserve.
This is grace, pure and simple. God is more than fair.
God does not treat anyone unfairly, but He does reward some who may seem less deserving in our eyes.
Eternal heaven is our ultimate reward; there are other rewards, however.
Take away: You can’t calculate the grace of God. It is what it is.
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