Session 9
Matthew 21:23-32
Memory Verse: Philippians 2:9
Tuesday of Passion Week was marked by controversy between Jesus
and religious leaders in Jerusalem.
Matthew recorded five of the specific conflicts.
The first related to Jesus’s authority (Matt. 21:23-27),
while the second involved paying tribute money to Caesar (22:15-22).
The third revolved around the topic of the resurrection (22:23-33),
and the fourth focused on the greatest commandment (22:34-40).
The final dispute dealt with the identity of the Messiah (22:41-46).
This session focuses on the first controversy.
Questions about Jesus’s authority (21:23)
are as relevant today as they were two thousand years ago.
Each person must face similar questions and decide how they will respond
to Jesus and His authority over their lives.
Unless one accepts Jesus’s authority as divine, one cannot accept
who Jesus truly is.
Steady erosion can eventually undermine a foundation,
resulting in destruction.
In the same way, erosion of respect for authority
can undermine an institution, a business, a government, or
a country.
Authority is the right to influence or command another.
The weight of authority is eroding in our society.
Fewer and fewer people respect or even recognize authority.
Many even actively reject established authorities. (PSG, p. 81)
Of course, as followers of Christ, we believe He holds new
ultimate authority in our lives.
But even the best of us still might be tempted to question
that authority at times.
We can be like the religious leaders in the verses leading up
to our focal passage for this session.
Summarize this information from Understand the Context (PSG, p. 82) to set the stage for today’s focal passage:
“Matthew 21 moves into the final week of Jesus’s ministry
before His crucifixion.
Much of the action recorded by Matthew in chapters 21-22
occurred in the temple.
The week began with Jesus entering Jerusalem to the shouts of
praise from the crowd of pilgrims entering the city for the Feast
of Passover.
Once inside Jerusalem, Jesus moved into the temple precinct.
Here began a series of confrontations with the religious leaders
who opposed Jesus.”
As we study today’s verses, let’s examine our hearts.
Let’s determine how we tend to respond to Jesus’s authority
in our lives and surrender areas we’ve been holding back
from Him.