Opened Scriptures Bible Studies

Matthew twenty one began with Jesus riding into Jerusalem on an ass and its foal, as scripture foretold. Next, Jesus cleansed the Temple of God, overturing the money changer's tables and driving out those who profited by selling sacrificial animals at high prices. The next morning as they traveled back to the Temple, and Jesus inspected a fig tree that looked healthy but was barren of fruit. Jesus judged the barren fig tree by saying it would never produce any fruit and it withered from the bottom up and died. This pictures Christ inspecting the lives of each Christian to see if we are living for God's glory and doing His kingdom work. Jesus was then confronted by the scribes and priests who demanded to know by what authority Jesus did these things. Jesus replied that they must first answer His question about John the Baptists ministry. The scribes and priests avoided answering Jesus, so our Lord told them a parable about a father and two sons who were told to go today and work...

Matthew 21:25-27  The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him?  26  But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet.  27  And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.  The chief priests and scribes demanded to know who gave Jesus the authority to teach God's Word to the people and to heal them. Jesus' reply was that He would answer both their questions if they answered one question from Him. Jesus asked them if John the Baptist's ministry was from God or of men. They refused to answer Him and therefore, Jesus refused to answer their questions. However, in the next paragraph Jesus gave a parable to show the scribes, Pharisees and priests their grave error. Thus, this parable is a continuation of Jesus' s...

Matthew 21 began with Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem and Jesus receiving loud "Hosannas" and praise from the people and from children. He healed very many people and the scribes and priests expressed their extreme displeasure. Jesus replied that if He silenced the loud shouts of praise that the stones would cry out. On the way to Jerusalem the next morning, Jesus saw a very healthy looking fig tree and looked for fruit on it, however, the tree was barren. We noted that this pictures Christ examining our lives to see if His fruit is being produced in how we think, speak and act. The barren tree was judged for lacking any figs and it soon withered from the roots up. What happens next is when Jesus and His disciples arrived in Jerusalem that morning so that He could teach the scriptures to the people. Predictably, the chief priests and elders of the ruling council confronted Jesus. Matthew 21:23  And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders ...