April 17, 2011
The Way Through Seven Woes Week 3
Posted by Michael
Learn:
Matthew 23:29-39
29 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous. 30 And you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’ 31 So you testify against yourselves that you are the descendants of those who murdered the prophets. 32 Go ahead, then, and complete what your ancestors started! 33 “You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell? 34 Therefore I am sending you prophets and sages and teachers. Some of them you will kill and crucify; others you will flog in your synagogues and pursue from town to town. 35 And so upon you will come all the righteous blood that has been shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berekiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. 36 Truly I tell you, all this will come on this generation. 37 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. 38 Look, your house is left to you desolate. 39 For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’”
Main Idea:
When Jesus rode into town on Palm Sunday, the people honored Him for who they thought He was and what they wanted Him to do (overthrow the Roman government). When Jesus refused to fit into their mold, trouble began for Him. The Pharisees in Jesus’ day claimed that they honored the prophets of the past. It was easy to honor them because they were gone and weren’t a threat to the Pharisees’ power. According to them, they would never shed blood. These same Pharisees killed Jesus only days later. It is easy to honor people we think are only calling other people to change. Jesus desperately wants to bring redemption to His people. At the end of this passage He identifies Himself as a hen that wants to protect her chicks. The only way a hen does that is by sacrificing her own life for her children. That is what Jesus did for us on the cross.
Know What: What Jesus got killed for and what Jesus died for were two different things.
So What: The blood Jesus shed is sufficient for all sinners who recognize their own brokenness.
Now What: Be weary of the “I would never…” attitude that the Pharisees had. It blinds our awareness to sin and ability to receive grace.
Discuss…
1. Unpack the statement, “What Jesus got killed for and what Jesus died for were two different things.” What was Jesus killed for? What did He die for?
2. The people who worshiped Jesus were probably worshiping Him because they thought He would be a political hero. What are some distorted views people have of Jesus today? Have you ever worshiped Jesus for who you wanted Him to be (or what you wanted Him to do) rather than for who He really is?
3. The Pharisees claimed they would never shed blood, but then they had Jesus executed. What are some “I would never…” moments in your life? What are the dangers of the “I would never…” instinct?
4. Is it possible to hate the things God hates and love the things God loves without actually loving God? How so? Have you ever found yourself getting more passionate about a cause (feeding the homeless, protesting divorce, etc.) than Jesus Himself? How can you put God first, and let everything else flow from that?
5. If you could choose any animal to represent Jesus, which would you choose? Why? Do you find it surprising that Jesus chooses a hen? What does this tell you about the relationship He seeks to have with His people?
6. In Matthew 23:37, Jesus says that the people were unwilling to let Him protect them. How were they unwilling? How are people unwilling today? What does it look like for a person to be willing to receive Jesus?
7. Looking ahead to the second coming of Jesus, how do you think it will compare to His Palm Sunday entrance? What things will be similar? What things will be different? What are you most looking forward to when Jesus comes again?
Next Steps…
As we enter Holy Week, pray and reflect on who Jesus is as He has revealed to us. Ask God to correct any distorted images you may have of Him and thank Him for the willingness to go to Calvary for us.
