270 Days Bible Study Insights Mathew 22-24
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Jesus was formally presented to the nation of Israel, but rejected. How strange for the king to be accused, arrested and crucified. But Jesus demonstrated his power even over death through his resurrection and gained access for us into his kingdom. With all this evidence that Jesus is God’s Son, we too, should accept him as our Lord.

Despite opposition from the Pharisees and others in the religious establishment, Jesus continued to teach concerning the kingdom of heaven. During this time, Jesus spoke with his disciples about his imminent death and resurrection and revealed his true identity to Peter, James, and John. Near the end of his ministry, Jesus entered Jerusalem in a triumphant procession. But soon opposition mounted and Jesus knew that his death was near. So he taught his disciples about the future—what they could expect before his return and how to live until then.

22:1-14. In this culture, two invitations were expected when banquets were given. The first, Asked the guests to attend; the second announced that all was ready. In this story the king invited his guests three times — and each time they rejected his invitation. God wAnts us to join him at his banquet which will last for eternity. That’s why he sends us invitations again and again. Have you accepted his invitation?

22:21 – Jesus avoided this trap by showing that we have a dual citizenship.(1 Peter 2:17)Our citizenship in the nation requires that we pay money for the services and benefits we receive. Our citizenship in the kingdom of heaven requires that we pledge to God our primary obedience and commitment.

23:5-7 People desire positions of leadership not to let in business but also in the church. It is dangerous when love for the position grows stronger than loyalty to God. That is what happened to the Pharisees and teachers of the law. Jesus is not against all leadership—we need Christian leaders—but against leadership that serves itself rather than others.

23:11,12 – Jesus challenged society norms. To him- greatness comes from serving—giving of us the yourself to help God and others. Service keeps us aware of others needs, and it stops us from focusing only on ourselves. Jesus came as a servant. What kind of greatness do you seek?

24:4. The disciples asked Jesus for the sign of his coming and of the end of the age. Jesus first response was “Watch out that no one deceives you”. The fact is that whenever we look for signs, we become very susceptible to being deceived. There are many “false prophets”(24;11,24) around with counterfeit signs of spiritual power and authority. The only sure way to keep from bring deceived is to focus on Christ and his Words. Don’t look for special signs, and don’t spend time looking at other people. Look st Christ.

24:21,22 – Jesus, talking about the end times, telescoped near future events, as did the Old Testament prophets. Many of these persecutions have already occurred: more are yet to come. But God is in control of even the length of persecutions. He will not forget his people. This is all we need to know about the future to motivate us to live rightly now.

24:36. It is good that we don’t know exactly when Christ will return. If we knew the precise date, we might be tempted to be lazy in our work for Christ. Worse yet, we might plan to keep sinning and then turn to God right at the end. Heaven is not our only goal, we have work to do here. And we must keep on doing it until death or until we see the unmistakable return of our Savior.

24:50. Knowing that Christ’s return will be sudden and unexpected should motivate us always to be prepared. We are not to live irresponsibly—sitting and waiting, doing nothing, seeking self serving pleasure, using his tarrying as an excuse not to do God’s work of building his kingdom, developing a false security based on precise calculations of events or letting our curiosity about the end times divert us from doing God’s work.
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Clara Radhakrishna

Cleanse the inside of the CUP and Dish first

Mathew 23: 25- 28. Here Jesus is calling the scribes and pharisees as hypocrites, blind, and white washed tombs. Why?

Because, He told, you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish.but inside is not cleansed. Therefore Jesus told, you first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish so that outside will also be cleansed. Let us search ourselves, whether our inner life is cleansed or holy.

In todays christian life, our outer life looks cleansed or holy. Our appearence , dress, and outward behaviour all may look cleansed. But our inner life is filthy. Our heart may be filled with lies, cunningness, jealousy, pride, hatred, bitternesss, enemity, unbelief, fear, worry etc. Thatswhy Jesus called them as white washed tombs. These white washed tombs may look beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead bones and all uncleanness.

Yes, today what about our inner life? Our Lord wants our inner life should be cleansed. We should be cleansed with the blood of Jesus, with the word of God and with the power of the Holy Spirit. When the inside of the cup is cleansed, the outside also will become cleansed. Our Lord is holy. Let us not be hypocrites , but let us become the children of the Holy God. Amen, Hallelujah.

Dr. Padmini Selvyn.