Matthew - Week 65

Den of Thieves 

READ 

Matthew 21:12-13 

12 Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out all the people buying and selling animals for sacrifice. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves. 13 He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves!” 

This is the second time Jesus cleansed the temple. The money changers were taking advantage of visitors by not giving them a fair money exchange. Instead of the temple being used for holy purposes it was being used to make money by taking advantage of others. Jesus referred to the practice as turning the temple “into a den of thieves.” 

REFLECT 

Consider how this principle might be applied to churches today. Are they considered to be money-making institutions or houses of worship and supported by believers? 

RESPOND 

With a fellow believer, read Isaiah 56:7 and Jeremiah 7:11 that seem to be the Scriptures to which Jesus was referring. Talk about what the two of you can do to influence the proper function of your church or churches to be honoring to God as places of worship supported by God’s people. 

Healing in the Temple 

READ 

Matthew 21:14-15 

14 The blind and the lame came to him in the Temple, and he healed them. 15 The leading priests and the teachers of religious law saw these wonderful miracles and heard even the children in the Temple shouting, “Praise God for the Son of David.” But the leaders were indignant. 

As usual those with physical problems sought out Jesus. Also as usual, He dealt with their needs and healed them. The religious leaders saw the wonderful miracles of Jesus. They also heard children shouting, “Praise God for the Son of David.” The word “son” in the Bible is often used as a “descendent” just as “father” is often used as an “ancestor.” The uneducated children recognized something the educated religious leaders did not—Jesus was the Messiah. 

REFLECT 

Are you devoted to knowing the Scriptures? If so, you may know more than religious leaders who deny the virgin birth of Jesus and His substitutionary atonement for lost mankind? 

RESPOND 

Be involved in teaching children what the Bible says and supporting those who minister to them. Let the Bible be an example of how the hearts of children are tender toward spiritual truths and can trust in Jesus at an early age.  

You Have Taught Children 

READ 

Matthew 21:16-17 

16 They asked Jesus, “Do you hear what these children are saying?” “Yes,” Jesus replied. “Haven’t you ever read the Scriptures? For they say, ‘You have taught children and infants to give you praise.’” 17 Then he returned to Bethany, where he stayed overnight. 

The religious leaders thought if Jesus knew what the children were saying by calling Him the Son of David that He would consider it blasphemy. Jesus did not deny what the children were saying, implying that He was truly the Messiah. Jesus said what the children were doing was prophesied in the Hebrew Scriptures, which the religious leaders should have known. This also reveals how the religious leaders were ignorant of their own Scriptures. 

REFLECT 

Would it not be embarrassing to have Jesus say that you do not know what is in the Scriptures? 

RESPOND 

Talk about this with a fellow believer. Covenant together that you will not be ignorant of what the Bible says. Read 2 Timothy 2:15 to see what the apostle Paul urged believers to do. Make this your goal even though you realize you will be learning all your life. 

A Withered Fig Tree 

READ 

Matthew 21:18-20 

18 In the morning, as Jesus was returning to Jerusalem, he was hungry, 19 and he noticed a fig tree beside the road. He went over to see if there were any figs, but there were only leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” And immediately the fig tree withered up. 20 The disciples were amazed when they saw this and asked, “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” 

Fig trees in the days of Jesus produced fruit before the leaves came on. If no fruit was there it was an indication there would never be any fruit. The fig tree is considered to be a symbol of Israel. The Jews had seemingly welcomed Him but the Jewish leaders had rejected Him. Now no fruit from the nation would be expected so Jesus pronounced judgment on the nation.  

REFLECT 

Do you know of some who talk about spiritual matters but do not live what they say? What about those who say they love God and yet use His name in vain? 

RESPOND 

Join with a believer to discuss the importance of your life demonstrating what you say you believe. Read Ephesians 4:25-32. Are you living this way? 

Faith Without Doubt 

READ 

Matthew 21:21-22 

21 Then Jesus told them, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. 22 You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it.” 

Some interpret this passage to mean you can ask anything you can think of. The overall teaching of the Bible, however, means we are praying for what is God’s will to be done. You might ask, “What is God’s will?” The Bible is the only safe guide to give that answer. 

REFLECT 

Have you considered studying the Scriptures to learn what God’s will is? 

RESPOND 

With a Christian friend who is willing to study the Bible with you about God’s will, examine several passages. See 2 Peter 3:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; 5:18; Matthew 18:14; John 6:40. Join with each other in praying for what is God’s will.