The Parable of the Other Fig Tree – Matthew 21:17-22

Mar 6, 2014 | Matthew

 In Matthew chapter 24, the Lord Jesus speaks extensively about the future of Israel. He talks about “wars and rumors of wars” – about tribulation and false Christs and false prophets. He says, “Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be...

The Cleansing of the Temple – Matthew 21:12-13

Mar 4, 2014 | Matthew

 There is a record of Christ cleansing the Temple, in all four of the gospels, so it must have been important. But there are significant differences between John and what is found in the Synoptic Gospels. John says, “And the Jews’ passover was at hand, and Jesus went...

The Not so Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem – Matthew 21:10-11

Mar 3, 2014 | Matthew

 I wonder who first came up with the idea of calling this event “Christ’s Triumphal Entry.” It seems to me – that title is completely inappropriate. I wonder if the author of this title was a Protestant with confused ideas about the Millennial Kingdom. Even though...

The Ass of Bethphage – Matthew 21:1-9

Mar 2, 2014 | Matthew

 One of the blessings of this kind of Bible study is that I’m not confined to one style of preaching. The general idea is to progress through Matthew expositorily – exposing the message of God. Once in a while my message is purely expositional, but that usually means...

Now unto the King Eternal; the Only Wise God – Matthew 21:1-9

Mar 1, 2014 | Matthew

 What would you think if I put my hand in my jacket and declared that I never was David Oldfield, my real name has always been Napoleon Bonaparte? That sort of thing has been a running joke for two hundred years – such a man would be declared insane. Similarly, how...

Christ had Compassion on Them – Matthew 20:29-34

Feb 13, 2014 | Matthew

 Once again we come across a very special word in connection to our Lord Jesus. This is the sixth time we have seen in it Matthew, abut we haven’t directly addressed it as yet. “When (Jesus) saw the multitudes, he was moved with COMPASSION on them, because they...

His Mercy Endureth Forever – Matthew 20:29-34

Feb 10, 2014 | Matthew

 There were apparently three blind men at Jericho, seeking the blessing of the Lord. One was posted was on the eastern side of the city, and two who were begging near the western gate. Mark tells us that the name of one was “Bartemaus,” apparently the son of a...

A City touched by Grace – Matthew 20:29-34

Feb 9, 2014 | Matthew

 When I was in Bible school, Judy and I spent a fortune in poverty-stricken student dollars on a filing system. It had big dividers for a regular filing cabinets and smaller ones for 3×5 cards. It had dividers for several dozen branches of human knowledge and...

Bartemaeus and those Other Bind Guys – Matthew 20:29-34

Feb 9, 2014 | Matthew

 As we have already noticed, this event is also recorded in Mark, and we find it again in Luke. But there are exegetical problems when we start comparing those three accounts. They all took place on the outskirts of Jericho as Jesus and His disciples were making their...