All This Took Place #9: Tricks, Traps, and Truth-Telling

Matthew 21

Bob Utley, "Matthew 21" from the series The First Christian Primer: Matthew

http://bit.ly/2nTMqSk

The Museum of Broken Relationships

The Museum of Broken Relationships explores broken love and other human relationships – what they mean to us, what they tell us about what we share and how we can learn and grow from them. It is composed of objects donated anonymously by members of the public from all over the world. Each exhibit is an object and a story, which together recount a watershed event in someone’s life. The exhibits reflect the full range of human emotions. Some are sad; but many are amusing and hopeful and remind us that people change, grow and recover.

http://bit.ly/2nFqU1I

Museum of Broken Relationships, 6751 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles.

Matthew 21:1-11 NIV

"The Procession in the Streets of Jerusalem" by James Tissot.

The Triumphal Entry

Allen Ross, "The Triumphal Entry" (Matthew 21:1-17) from the series An Exposition of the Gospel of Matthew

http://bit.ly/2ojq4dA

Matthew 21:12-17 NIV

"The Merchants Chased from the Temple" by James Tissot.

Matthew 21:18-22 NIV

"The Accursed Fig Tree" by James Tissot

The Necessity of Bearing Fruit

Allen Ross, "The Necessity of Bearing Fruit" (Matthew 21:18-46) from the series An Exposition of the Gospel of Matthew

http://bit.ly/2oqTzaE

Matthew 21:23-27 NIV

"The Chief Priests Ask Jesus by What Right Does He Act in This Way" by James Tissot.

Matthew 21:28-32 NIV

Matthew 21:33-44 NIV

Matthew 21:45-46 NIV

Matthew 22:1-14 NIV

"The Poor are Invited to the Feast" from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN.

Parable of the Wedding Banquet

Allen Ross, "The Parable of the Wedding Banquet" from the series An Exposition of the Gospel of Matthew

http://bit.ly/2nJ5JNJ

1. God gladly welcomes…

1. God gladly welcomes those who gladly welcome Him.

For reflection/discussion

What are some of the reasons that relationships unravel? Why is the relationship between Jesus and the teachers of the law, the Pharisees, and other religious leaders unraveling? What problem(s) did they have with Jesus? What problem(s) did Jesus have with them? In addition to overturning the tables of the money-changers, did Jesus do anything else in the temple that would have been controversial? (Hint: See Leviticus 21:17) Who do the various characters in Jesus' three parables represent? What common point are they making?

Matthew 22:15-22 NIV

"The Tribute Money" by James Tissot.

Jewish Parties in the New Testament

This section of Matthew includes controversy stories in which Jesus interacts with a number of religious/political groups. This article discusses the differences between the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Herodians, as well as the Zealots, and Essenes. —Clayton Harrop, "Jewish Parties in the New Testament" Holman Bible Dictionary, published by Broadman & Holman, 1991.

http://bit.ly/2nrgNvG

Matthew 22:23-33 NIV

Exodus 3:6 NIV

The Great Debate: Death and Taxes

Bob Deffinbaugh, "The Great Debate: Death and Taxes" from the series Studies in the Gospel of Matthew

http://bit.ly/2nou4oS

2. When we play games with God…

2. When we play games with God, God is always going to win.

Galatians 6:7-8 NIV

For reflection/discussion

What are the differences between the different groups who appear in this chapter? Who were the Pharisees and the Herodians? Why is it strange that they seem to be cooperating here? Why did they think that their question would trap Jesus? Who were the Sadducees? What assumptions or premises is their question built on? How does Jesus' answer challenge their world view? What evidence do you see in these controversy stories of Jesus' deep insight and intelligence?

Matthew 23:1-12 NIV

Matthew 23

Bob Utley, "Matthew 23" from the series The First Christian Primer: Matthew

http://bit.ly/2okPacB

"Christ Reproving the Pharisees" by James Tissot.

Matthew 23:13-36 NIV

The Height of Hypocrisy

Bob Deffinbaugh, "The Height of Hypocrisy" (Matthew 23:25-39) from the series Studies in the Gospel of Matthew

http://bit.ly/2mWTYV7

Matthew 23:37-39 NIV

"He Wept Over It" by Enrique Simonet (1866–1927). Oil on canvas.

3. God sent his son Jesus…

3. God sent his son Jesus to rescue us, and to bring us freedom, healing, and hope.

Matthew 18:18-20 NIV

Before The Cross: Events Of The Holy Week

7 Days

Read Plan

For reflection/discussion

Why do you suppose Jesus felt it was necessary to speak these pointed words of woe to the scribes and Pharisees? How do Jesus' words serve as words of warning to his followers in future generations? How do chapters 21-23 form a unit, both furthering the narrative, and also sharing a common theme? Why is it important not only to study individual passages in the Bible, but see how they fit in the larger context of which they are a part?

Matthew 21:43 NIV