Matthew 21:33-46 — Parable of the Wicked Tenant Farmers
THE WICKEDNESS OF ISRAEL’S RULERS IN REJECTING GOD’S PROPHETS AND EVENTUALLY HIS OWN SON HAS CAUSED A RADICAL SHIFT AWAY FROM A KINGDOM FOCUS ON THE NATION OF ISRAEL
Matthew 21:28-32 — Parable of the Two Sons — Exposing the Unbelief of the Jewish Religious Leaders
ACTIONS MEAN MORE THAN MERE WORDS – GOOD INTENTIONS CANNOT BE SUBSTITUTED FOR GENUINE REPENTANCE AND THE OBEDIENCE OF FAITH
Matthew 21:23-27 — Dispute Regarding the Source of Jesus’ Authority
HARD HEARTS THAT REFUSE TO SUBMIT TO THE LEGITIMATE AUTHORITY OF JESUS CANNOT OBJECTIVELY JUDGE HIS CLAIMS
Matthew 21:18-22 — Cursing of the Fruitless Fig Tree
JUDGMENT ON THE HYPOCRISY OF ISRAEL FORESHADOWED IN THE CURSING OF THE FRUITLESS FIG TREE
Matthew 21:1-17 — Cleansing Temple Corruption
THE MESSIAH KING ASSERTS HIS AUTHORITY OVER THE TEMPLE IN ANTICIPATION OF IMPENDING JUDGMENT
Matthew 21:1-11 — Public Entry into Jerusalem as the Messiah King
GRAND ENTRANCE OF THE MESSIAH KING INTO JERUSALEM ACCOMPANIED BY POPULAR PRAISE BUT BLIND PERCEPTION
Matthew 20:29-34 — Restoring Sight to the Blind
BLIND PEOPLE CAN HAVE THEIR SIGHT RESTORED BY CALLING UPON JESUS FOR HIS COMPASSIONATE MERCY
Matthew 20:20-28 — Squashing Selfish Ambition
TRUE GREATNESS IN THE KINGDOM DERIVES FROM HUMBLE SERVICE AS MODELED BY JESUS, NOT THE SELFISH AMBITION OF THE WORLD
Matthew 20:17-19 — Jesus’ Third Prophecy of His Passion and Resurrection
JESUS CONTINUES TO PUT THE FOCUS ON HIS UPCOMING BETRAYAL, CRUIFIXION AND RESURRECTION (WHILE HIS FOLLOWERS ARGUE OVER WHO IS THE GREATEST)
Matthew 19:27 – 20:16 — Rewards for Spiritual Service
RATHER THAN INSECURITY OR ENVY REGARDING REWARDS FOR SPIRITUAL SERVICE, BELIEVERS SHOULD FOCUS ON GOD’S GRACE IN GRANTING ETERNAL LIFE AND HIS JUSTICE AND SOVEREIGN DISCRETION
Matthew 19:16-26 — The Rich Young Ruler — Salvation is for Those Who Forsake Everything and Follow Jesus
LOVERS OF WEALTH MUST CHOOSE BETWEEN FOLLOWING CHRIST OR CLINGING TO THEIR MATERIALISTIC VALUE SYSTEM (THE IDOLS OF POSSESSIONS)
Matthew 19:13-15 — Jesus Blesses the Little Children
JESUS WELCOMES LITTLE CHILDREN AND POINTS TO THEIR HUMILITY AND DEPENDENCE AS IDENTIFYING MARKS OF KINGDOM CITIZENS