Following Jesus: Focus On The Message – Matthew 21

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Description

Welcome to Focus On The Message – the first component of our Following Jesus discipleship program. This web page contains the lessons for:

Matthew 21

Purpose

Follow this link for information about these key aspects of our training: Purpose, Goals, Habits, Ministries, and Assignments.

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Matthew 21

This chapter has 6. lessons. You should ideally cover one chapter (with all of its lessons) in a week, but please don’t let a week go by without completing at least one lesson.

Lesson 1: Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King

Main text and related passages:

• Matthew 21:1-11 – Bible Gateway
  • Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-10; Luke 19:29-38; John 12:12-19
  • Isaiah 62
  • ” . . . gentle and riding on a donkey . . .” – Zechariah 9:9-17
  • “Hosanna” = “Save!” (see also “Lord, save us!” – Psalm 118:25)
  • “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord” – Psalm 118

Checkout the following:

• • 1 Kings 1 – David makes Solomon king and places him on his mule.
  • 2 Kings 9:1-13 – People spread their cloaks for Jehu as he becomes king.

Topics to explore:

• • This is the context we have so far for Jesus’ ongoing ministry:
    • Jesus is “God with us”. – Matthew 1:18-23
    • Jesus is “saving his people from their sins”. – Matthew 1:18-23
    • Jesus’ message is calling people to repent and align with God’s Kingdom. – Matthew 4:12-17
    • Jesus expects his miracles and signs to lead people to:
      • Repent – Matthew 11:20-24
      • Believe in Jesus and his Kingdom based on the signs and wonders – John 4:43-54
    • What will it mean to apply this context to this passage and the ones that follow?
  • What did the crowds think was going to happen when Jesus entered Jerusalem?
  • What did Jesus’ disciples think was going to happen when he entered Jerusalem?
  • What was Jesus’ plan for his final trip to Jerusalem?

Additional resources to check out:

• • Matthew for Everyone, Part 2 (The New Testament for Everyone) by Tom Wright – Amazon.com
  • 29. Jesus Prophet & Provocateur [Matthew] – Tim Mackie (The Bible Project) – YouTube (00:50:46)

Training assignment (do this yourself, and use it to help train someone else):

• • Read the main passage and related passages above.

Lesson 2: Jesus at the Temple

Main text and related passages:

• Matthew 21:12-17 – Bible Gateway
  • Matthew 21:12-17; Mark 11:15-18;Luke 19:45-47
  • John 2:12-25 – John places his account at the beginning of Jesus’ career.
  • Isaiah 56:1-8 – “a house of prayer”
  • Jeremiah 7:1-11 – “a den of robbers”
  • “Hosanna” = “Save!” (see also “Lord, save us!” – Psalm 118:25)
  • Psalm 8 – “from the lips of children and infants”
  • “blind and lame” – 2 Samuel 5:6-10; 1 Chronicles 11:4-6

Checkout the following:

• • Watch: Temple Biblical Theme Video | BibleProject™(00:04:40)
  • Court of the Gentiles
  • Leviticus 1 – “without defect”
  • Passover sacrifice reenacted by Jewish priests-in-training | The Times of Israel
  • Why Did Jesus Drive the Moneychangers out of the Temple?

Topics to explore:

• • What was the role of the money changers?
  • What was the role of the people selling doves?
  • What significance did the temple courts have?
  • What impact did Jesus’ actions have?