Matthew - Week 73

Snakes and Vipers 

READ 

Matthew 23:31-33 

31 “But in saying that, you testify against yourselves that you are indeed the descendants of those who murdered the prophets. 32 Go ahead and finish what your ancestors started. 33 Snakes! Sons of vipers! How will you escape the judgment of hell?” 

For those who want only to talk about the gentle, loving Jesus, they should have been in the crowd that day. When He was on earth, Jesus said more about hell than He did heaven. That is why so many questions are unanswered concerning heaven. His concern was to warn others not to go to hell and that is why He talked about it so much.  

REFLECT 

Do you understand now why Jesus said more about hell than heaven? 

RESPOND 

For those who have trusted in Jesus as Savior, all they need to know is that when they die they go to be with Him. That will be a perfect place. See Jesus’ promises in John 11:25 and 14:1-3. For those who have believing loved ones who have passed away, read Isaiah 57:1-2.  

Judgment Will Fall 

READ 

Matthew 23:34-36 

34 “Therefore, I am sending you prophets and wise men and teachers of religious law. But you will kill some by crucifixion, and you will flog others with whips in your synagogues, chasing them from city to city. 35 As a result, you will be held responsible for the murder of all godly people of all time—from the murder of righteous Abel to the murder of Zechariah son of Berekiah, whom you killed in the Temple between the sanctuary and the altar. 36 I tell you the truth, this judgment will fall on this very generation.” 

Jesus pronounced judgment on the wicked generation who He said would kill some who represented Him. When Jesus referred to murders from Abel to Zechariah, Jesus referred to the entire Hebrew Old Testament in mentioning these two men. 2 Chronicles is the last book of the Old Testament in the Jewish arrangement of their Scriptures. The death of Zechariah is referred to in 2 Chronicles 24:20-21. (This is a different Zechariah than the one whom God used to write the book of Zechariah.) 2 Chronicles refers to Zechariah as being the son of Jehoiada whereas Matthew says Berekiah. Likely the difference is because “son” means descendant and can refer to more than one person.  

REFLECT 

Is it sobering to you to realize the persecution and death that can come to Christ-followers? 

RESPOND 

Join with a believer in reviewing what is said in Hebrews 11, often referred to as “The Hall of Faith.” The entire chapter is excellent to consider, but especially look at the last few verses, 32-40. Especially pray for those today undergoing persecution for their belief in Jesus. 

Abandoned and Desolate 

READ 

Matthew 23:37-39 

37 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me. 38 And now, look, your house is abandoned and desolate. 39 For I tell you this, you will never see me again until you say, ‘Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!’” 

Jesus’ heart was broken over all He had done to provide atonement for Israel as its Messiah, and yet Jerusalem would not repent. To “repent” is to change one’s mind. Unbelievers in Israel needed to change their mind about themselves and about Jesus who was the Son of God and Savior of the world. In their change of mind they needed to believe in Jesus as Savior. 

REFLECT 

Think how sad it would be to have Jesus grieve over your lost soul as He did for Jerusalem. Trusting Him as Savior will cause the angels to rejoice, as mentioned in Luke 15:10. 

RESPOND 

Jesus referred to the Israelites not seeing Him again until they expressed blessings on Him. He likely was referring to what is recorded in Zechariah 12:10.  

Completely Demolished 

READ 

Matthew 24:1-2 

1 As Jesus was leaving the Temple grounds, his disciples pointed out to him the various Temple buildings. 2 But he responded, “Do you see all these buildings? I tell you the truth, they will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!” 

The temple compound was composed of an area of about 35 acres. Jesus warned that all the buildings would someday be torn down. This occurred in A.D. 70 when the Romans attacked and destroyed Jerusalem.  

REFLECT 

How sobering it must have been for the Jewish followers of Jesus to hear that someday their most holy places would be destroyed.  

RESPOND 

The temple with its holy place and the holy of holies area was greatly revered by the Jewish people. Today, however, the temple of God is found in the bodies of believers. Read 2 Corinthians 6:14-18. How should this affect your life as a believer? 

Questions About the End 

READ 

Matthew 24:3 

3 Later, Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives. His disciples came to him privately and said, “Tell us, when will all this happen? What sign will signal your return and the end of the world?” 

Because Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives as He presented what is recorded in chapters 24 and 25 of Matthew’s Gospel, these chapters are commonly referred to as the “Olivet Discourse.” There His disciples asked Him specific questions. These chapters in Matthew do not include the Church, of which believers in Jesus are part of today. The expression “end of the world” is actually the “end of the age.” More will be said about this as these chapters are studied. 

REFLECT 

Is there some friend you know who would be interested in studying Matthew 24-25 with you? 

RESPOND 

At the time Jesus was talking about these matters on the Mount of Olives, the disciples would not have known much about the Church age, which Jesus promised in Matthew 16:18. At that time they were mostly expecting the Messiah to overthrow the Roman empire and set up His own kingdom.