37Last of all, he sent his so...

37Last of all, he sent his son to them. ‘They will respect my son,’ he said.

38"But when the tenants saw the son, they said to each other, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him and take his inheritance.’

39So they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.

- P60

"Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit. - P43

Jesus speaks to the religious leaders of Israel through the parable of the tenants. God has entrusted His people to certain leaders so that they might nurture them. However, when God sent His servants, the prophets, to His people, they were rejected, beaten, and killed. Finally, God sent His own Son, but He, too, was rejected and put to death. This is such a tragic and horrifying story yet we sometimes resemble the ungrateful leaders of Israel ourselves. - P62

We sometimes refuse to hear God’s words and resent anything that gets in the way of our selfish desires. Let us remember that we live in God’s grace, and may we quickly repent whenever we forget the true source of our blessings and privileges. - P62

m cheAlthough He is rejected by the religious leaders, Jesus is made thecornerstone. He is the most important and foundational figure of God‘skingdom. Those who oppose Him face judgment and destruction. Throughthe parable, Jesus conveys to the chief priests and Pharisees that the leaderswho have not recognized God‘s grace will have their authority revoked, andtheir privileges will be given to others who will work faithfully to bear fruitfor His kingdom.  - P62

We see that stubbornness, pride, and rebellion againstGod strip us of the privileges we have received. May we be wary of suchsinfulness and instead be faithful to the mission God has entrusted to us,
bearing fruit and fully partaking in His kingdom work. - P62

Both Isaiah and Matthew remind us that Jesus is our standard. He helps usdiscern light from darkness and righteousness from unrighteousness. Healone is the cornerstone of our salvation, and we are to build upon Him forHis kingdom and for His glory. - P63

Dear God, thank You for calling me into the grace and blessing of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Help me to live a fruitful life that honors and glorifies You as I work to build Your kingdom. In Jesus’ name, amen. - P63

23Jesus entered the temple co...

23Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. "By what authority are you doing these things?" they asked. "And who gave you this authority?"

24Jesus replied, "I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

- P56

The chief priests and elders demand to know by what authority Jesus has been doing His works. Seeing that their inquiry is not a pursuit for the truth, Jesus puts His questioners to the test. Will they admit their unbelief or choose to lose favor from the crowds? In the end, the leaders are unable to choose, and Jesus does not answer their question. - P58

There are times when we may want something from God, but instead of doing what we desire, the Lord challenges us in a different way. This is not evasion but a way for God to reveal the truth. He shows us the true intentions of our hearts so that we may understand what we are really asking. - P58

The chief priests and elders pridefully think that they are righteous becausethey are keeping the Mosaic laws, and so do not listen to John the Baptistwhen he preaches the way of righteousness to them. Jesus tells the leadersthat the tax collectors and prostitutes, who are perceived as some of theworst sinners, are entering the kingdom of God ahead of them.  - P58

We see thatpast sins and socioeconomic backgrounds are not as important as repentingand believing in the true Son of God. We should not be like the secondson in the parable who claims to be obedient but fails to do the father‘swork.  - P58

Regardless of our past, may we be quick to repent and faithful in ourobedience to Him. - P58

Having rooted ourselves in the assurances of God, we can then askthat He cleanse our hearts once again so that every sphere of our lives mightreflect the heart, words, and character of Christ. - P59

Lord God, I dare not hide behind my works or the praises of people. In that place where only You can see, at the center of my heart, let me be found pleasing in Your sight. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen. - P59

12Jesus entered the temple co...

12Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves.

13"It is written," he said to them, "‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’"

14The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them.

- P52

21Jesus replied, "Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done.

22If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."

- P53

The selling of animals and currency exchange are helpful for diaspora Jewswho have come from far away to offer temple sacrifices. However, thebusinesses have taken over the temple courts; they have turned God‘s houseinto a place for profit rather than a place of prayer. Similarly, the story ofthe fig tree symbolizes the hypocrisy of the people. The leaves on the figtree should mean that it is producing fruit, but it lacks the very thing itis supposed to produce. In both of these accounts, we see that the mostimportant thing is missing.  - P54

In the church today, we may try to hide behindthe appearance of faithful service, but we cannot hide from the gaze of ourGod. He knows the condition of our hearts. Let us not be among thosewho are unduly concerned about the appearance of worship; let us insteadhonor, serve, and worship our God wholeheartedly. - P54

Dear Jesus, help us to have a firm faith that shouts, "Hosanna to the Son ofDavid!" May we continue to put our faith in You sodesire to give us. In Your name, amen.
we can receive what You55 - P55

9The crowds that went ahead o...

9The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Hosanna in the highest heaven!"

10When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, "Who is this?"

11The crowds answered, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee."

- P47

As Jesus enters Jerusalem, He knows exactly how He will do it because it has already been foretold by the prophet Zechariah: The king will enter Jerusalem riding on a donkey. Jesus is fully aware of what awaits Him in Jerusalem—suffering and death. He has also told His disciples so that they are prepared for what lies ahead. It is not a coincidence that Jesus sends two disciples to a village where a donkey is already waiting to be collected; we see the unfolding of a plan that was anticipated from the beginning. - P48

We also witness the obedience of Christ and the fulfillment of Scripture as He willingly goes forward to give His life for us. - P48

A very large crowd shouts praises to the Son of David as Jesus entersJerusalem on a donkey. Many of them think that the Son of David has cometo liberate the Jewish people from their political oppressors by triumphingin war, just as David, the warrior king, had done. Others simply identifyJesus as a prophet from Galilee. They do not realize that Jesus has indeedcome to save them, but His deliverance will surpass political deliverance.
- P48

Jesus will deliver God‘s people from sin and death. We sometimes think thatwe know the best way forward, but thanks be to God that His wisdom isalways greater, and most importantly, that He executes His plan accordingto His perfect will. - P48

Father, You are worthy of trust for You did not withhold Your precious Son. I remember the cross where Your Son bled to save me. May my life bring honor and glory to the name of Jesus Christ. In His name I pray, amen. - P48

"He is not the God of the dead but of the living."
55Matthew 22:32b - P50

30 Two blind men were sitting...

30
Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!"
31
The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!"
- P42

32
Jesus stopped and called them. "What do you want me to do for you?" he asked.
33
"Lord," they answered, "we want our sight."
34
Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him. - P435

Two blind men hear a large crowd following Jesus and His disciples as they leave the city of Jericho. The blind men have clearly heard of what Jesus can do because they shout above the noise to ask for His mercy. The people tell them to be quiet, but instead of cowering in fear or shame and giving in to the crowd’s demands, the men shout even louder, determined to obtain Jesus’ mercy. This is a picture of how we can respond when others or our circumstances try to silence our cries to Jesus. - P44

Instead of being afraid of what the world may think, we can cry out with greater faith, confident that He can do miracles in our lives. - P44

Jesus stops and asks the blind men what they would like Him to do forthem. They ask for their sight and, having compassion on them, Jesustouches their eyes and they immediately receive their sight. Having receivedwhat they desired, the two men could have gone away or at least ran hometo tell their families. However, they decide to follow Jesus as He continuesin His ministry.  - P44

Sometimes we present our requests to God, then neglectHim as soon as we get what we want. However, we show that we are trulyHis children when we go to our good Father in expectant faith, receive fromHim, then respond relationally by continuing to follow Him with praiseand thanksgiving. - P44

"We often cannot see God‘s hidden purposes. Yet we can determine to be faithful andkeep walking toward the Lord in the darkness." - Nancy Guthrie - P44

They were notregarded as elite members of society; the large crowd had no hesitation inscolding them to be quiet. Yet, the men spoke boldly, overcoming socialstigma and opposition in their pursuit of Christ, and full of hope and faiththat He could change their lives.
The determination of these men challenges me to reconsider my responsewhen I am in a crowd. What am I really afraid of? What is the worst thatcould happen if I stepped out more boldly, especially in situations where Iam the only Christian? More importantly, what is the best thing that couldhappen? I often focus on the worst-case scenario, but what could God do ifI stepped out in zealous faith for the best-case scenario? If nothing happens,
then that is fine, but like the two blind men who were expectant for amiracle, I might have the chance to see God powerfully changing lives. AllI need to do is focus on Him and what He can more than on my fearsand worldly concerns.
do - P45

Heavenly Father, I worship You for Your compassion and love. Thank You that You care about me and hear my requests. As I seek You daily, may I grow in greater faith and boldness, unafraid of how others see me and more concerned with my relationship with You. In Jesus’ name, amen. - P45

Despite howchallenging it may be to follow Jesus, the end far outweighs the difficultiesthis life may bring. However, Jesus also reminds the disciples that the firstwill be last and the last will be first. They should not be focused on whatbenefits they will receive but remain humble as they follow Jesus andfaithfully serve Him and His people. - P32