AUTHORITY
Matthew 21:23–32
Matthew 21 opens with preparations for the Triumphal Entry. The time has finally arrived for Jesus to present Himself to His city, Jerusalem. He is on heaven’s search-and-rescue mission to save the world.
The journey will ultimately lead Him to a cross. As Jesus and His disciples head toward Jerusalem, they are joined by other travelers heading for the Passover celebration.
Jesus sends two of His disciples to prepare for His entry. He gives several commands: Go, bring and tell. He prepares with prophetic understanding. He is going to enter Jerusalem riding on a donkey in fulfillment of Zechariah 9.
This communicates that He is coming not as a conqueror but as the Prince of Peace. The other travelers understand what is happening and join the parade. In my mind, I picture the celebration. The crowd may have joyfully shouted phrases from Psalm 24: “Rise up, ancient doors! Then the King of glory will come in” (v. 7). Perhaps it sparked an antiphonal reply from the walled city: “Who is this King of glory?” The crowd responds, “The Lord, strong and mighty. The Lord, mighty in battle” (v. 8).
As the procession advanced, the crowds shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David.” “Hosanna” means “save now.” Following His entrance through the gates, Jesus proceeded to the temple and cleansed it of the profane money changers. Then He retired to Bethany for the night.
The next day, He cursed a fig tree. It promised fruit but offered none. Jesus shares a truth about faith: If you have faith and don’t doubt, you can tell a mountain to be thrown into the sea and it will happen.
Authority Challenged (23–27)
When Jesus returned to the temple the following day, He was confronted and questioned by the chief priests and the elders. They were continually seeking to trap Jesus.
Their animosity was growing stronger and stronger. They asked Him by what authority He was doing the things He had done. As Jesus did on several occasions, He answered a question with a question. “Did John’s baptism come from heaven, or was it of human origin?”
They knew they were trapped. They could not give an answer, so Jesus said He wouldn’t give them an answer either. In the Great Commission, Jesus would ultimately answer this question by saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.”
Do you know people who have trouble with authority? Why?
Authority Recognized (28–32)
As He often did, Jesus told a parable. Remember, a parable is an earthly story with heavenly meaning. A parable is an eternal truth laid alongside a storyline.
Jesus tells about a father requesting his sons to work in his vineyard. The first son refused but later repented and went to work. The second son said yes but didn’t follow through.
Jesus posed the question to these religious legalists: “Which of the two did his father’s will?” They responded, “The first.” Then Jesus shared the truth, and it must have hit them like a brick.
Tax collectors and prostitutes were entering the Kingdom ahead of them! They had responded to the call preached by John the Baptist to repent.
Jesus was rebuking the leaders for their unbelief and not recognizing the work of God.
EDITOR’S NOTE — The Sunday School lesson outlines are provided by Lifeway.
By Don Fugate
Senior pastor of Foxworthy Baptist Church in San Jose, California
