As Jesus approaches Jerusalem, the excitement in the air is palpable. With a humble entrance on a donkey, he embraces his role as the awaited King, setting the stage for a week of transformative events.
The Reading: Matthew 21
World English Bible1 When they came near to Jerusalem, and came to Bethsphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples,
>
2 saying to them, “Go into the village that is opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them, and bring them to me.
>
3 If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and immediately he will send them.”
>
4 All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophet, saying,
>
5 “Tell the daughter of Zion, behold, your King comes to you, humble, and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”
>
6 The disciples went, and did just as Jesus commanded them,
>
7 and brought the donkey and the colt, and laid their clothes on them; and he sat on them.
>
8 A very great multitude spread their clothes on the road. Others cut branches from the trees, and spread them on the road.
>
9 The multitudes who went in front of him, and those who followed, kept shouting, “Hosanna to the son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”
>
10 When he had come into Jerusalem, all the city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?”
>
11 The multitudes said, “This is the prophet, Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.”
>
12 Jesus entered into the temple of God, and drove out all of those who sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the money changers’ tables and the seats of those who sold the doves.
>
13 He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a den of robbers!”
>
14 The blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he healed them.
>
15 But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children who were crying in the temple and saying, “Hosanna to the son of David!” they were indignant,
>
16 and said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?” Jesus said to them, “Yes. Did you never read, ‘Out of the mouth of babes and nursing babies you have perfected praise?’”
>
17 He left them, and went out of the city to Bethany, and camped there.
>
18 Now in the morning, as he returned to the city, he was hungry.
>
19 Seeing a fig tree by the road, he came to it, and found nothing on it but leaves. He said to it, “Let there be no fruit from you forever!” Immediately the fig tree withered away.
>
20 When the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree immediately wither away?”
>
21 Jesus answered them, “Most certainly I tell you, if you have faith, and don’t doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you told this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ it would be done.
>
22 All things, whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”
>
23 When he had come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority do you do these things? Who gave you this authority?”
>
24 Jesus answered them, “I also will ask you one question, which if you tell me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things.
>
25 The baptism of John, where was it from? From heaven or from men?” They reasoned with themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’
>
26 But if we say, ‘From men,’ we fear the multitude, for all hold John as a prophet.”
>
27 They answered Jesus, and said, “We don’t know.” He also said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.
>
28 But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first, and said, ‘Son, go work today in my vineyard.’
>
29 He answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind, and went.
>
30 He came to the second, and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I’ m going, sir,’ but he didn’t go.
>
31 Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said to him, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Most certainly I tell you that the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering into God’s Kingdom before you.
>
32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you didn’t believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. When you saw it, you didn’t even repent afterward, that you might believe him.
>
33 “Hear another parable. There was a man who was a master of a household, who planted a vineyard, set a hedge about it, dug a wine press in it, built a tower, leased it out to farmers, and went into another country.
>
34 When the season for the fruit came near, he sent his servants to the farmers, to receive his fruit.
>
35 The farmers took his servants, beat one, killed another, and stoned another.
>
36 Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they treated them the same way.
>
37 But afterward he sent to them his son, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’
>
38 But the farmers, when they saw the son, said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him, and seize his inheritance.’
>
39 So they took him, and threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him.
>
40 When therefore the lord of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those farmers?”
>
41 They told him, “He will miserably destroy those miserable men, and will lease out the vineyard to other farmers, who will give him the fruit in its season.”
>
42 Jesus said to them, “Did you never read in the Scriptures, ‘The stone which the builders rejected, the same was made the head of the corner. This was from the Lord. It is marvelous in our eyes?’
>
43 “Therefore I tell you, God’s Kingdom will be taken away from you, and will be given to a nation producing its fruit.
>
44 He who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces, but on whomever it will fall, it will scatter him as dust.”
>
45 When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they perceived that he spoke about them.
>
46 When they sought to seize him, they feared the multitudes, because they considered him to be a prophet.
What This Chapter Is Really Saying
The Triumphant Entry
As Jesus gets closer to Jerusalem, he sends two of his disciples to fetch a donkey and her colt. This isn't just a casual ride; it fulfills a prophecy that speaks of a humble King arriving on a donkey. When he arrives, the crowd can't contain their enthusiasm. They lay their clothes on the ground and wave palm branches, shouting praises like, 'Hosanna!' This is a big deal because it cements Jesus' identity as the Messiah in the eyes of the people.
Cleansing the Temple
Once inside the city, Jesus heads to the temple. Here, he encounters a shocking scene - merchants and money changers are treating this sacred space like a marketplace. Angered, he overturns their tables and clears out the sellers, declaring that the temple should be a house of prayer, not a den of robbers. His actions attract both awe and anger, especially from the religious leaders, who are appalled by the crowds' adoration of him.
Miracles and Questions
Jesus performs miracles, healing the blind and the lame, but the chief priests and scribes are not pleased. They question his authority, but he cleverly turns the tables on them with a question about John the Baptist. They can't answer, revealing their own fear and hypocrisy.
Parables of the Vineyard
In a series of parables, Jesus illustrates the disconnect between the religious elite and God's true intentions. He tells the story of two sons, highlighting that actions speak louder than words. He also shares a parable about wicked tenants who reject the master's son, hinting at his own impending fate. The message is clear: God's kingdom is open to those who believe, even those society deems unworthy.
Why It Matters
The Humility of Jesus
Jesus' choice to enter Jerusalem on a donkey shows us that true leadership is rooted in humility, not in power or status. This is a reminder to us that serving others and being open-hearted are what really counts.
Faith and Authority
The lessons Jesus teaches about faith and actions remind us that our beliefs should inspire real change in our lives. Just as he challenged the religious leaders, we too are called to examine our own hearts - are we just paying lip service, or are we actively living out our faith?
Seeking Community
In today's world, finding a community that supports our faith journey is essential. If you're looking for a place to grow spiritually, consider using Sancta to find a church near you. It's a great way to connect and deepen your understanding of these powerful teachings.
Children's Praise
Jesus' acknowledgment of children praising him reinforces the idea that faith can be pure and untainted by the complexities of adulthood. We should strive to embrace that childlike faith, trusting and believing wholeheartedly.
![The Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard. 1637. Oil on panel. The Hermitage, St. Petersburg, Russia. [1]](https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/sancta-91eb1.firebasestorage.app/o/blog-images%2Fscripture%2F6848572.webp?alt=media&token=a695ac50-45f7-4088-8512-798d49482dab)
Coming Up Next: Matthew 22
As we continue our journey, Matthew 22 delves deeper into Jesus' teachings, where he confronts more questions and challenges from the religious leaders. Don't miss the unfolding drama that leads to even greater revelations!