40 Day Bible Reading Challenge: Day 19 Jesus enters Jerusalem

 

Matthew 21 starts with the story of Jesus entering Jerusalem on a donkey, fulfilling an ancient prophecy. This event, known as Palm Sunday, shows Jesus being welcomed by crowds of people who spread their cloaks and branches on the road, shouting praises to him. This act of riding on a donkey instead of a horse symbolizes peace, contrasting with a king who would ride a horse when he was bent on war. Jesus' entry into Jerusalem in this humble manner highlights his role as a peaceful Messiah.

In the middle of the chapter, Jesus visits the temple in Jerusalem and sees people buying and selling goods there. Upset by this, he overturns the tables of the money changers and the seats of those selling doves, accusing them of turning a house of prayer into a 'den of robbers.' This action shows Jesus' anger towards those who were disrespecting the temple's sacred purpose. Following this, Jesus heals the blind and the lame who come to him in the temple, demonstrating his compassion and power. The chief priests and teachers of the law are displeased by his actions and the praises he receives from children, showing a growing tension between Jesus and the religious authorities.

The chapter also includes the Parable of the Two Sons, where Jesus teaches about obedience to God. He tells of a father who asks his two sons to work in his vineyard. One son initially refuses but later goes, while the other agrees to go but does not. Jesus uses this story to criticize the religious leaders for not living up to God's expectations, unlike tax collectors and sinners who repent and follow God's ways. This parable, along with Jesus' actions in the temple, underscores themes of genuine faith, repentance, and the importance of actions matching words.