Introduction
The historical setting:
For three years Jesus has been preaching and teaching the gospel of the Kingdom. He has been proclaiming Himself as the Messiah, the Son of God, the Savior of the world. And He has been offering Himself and His Kingdom to the people of Israel -- but His own people rejected Him!
Summary of events: Jesus heads to Jerusalem as the prophesied Passover Lamb to make atonement on the cross for the sins of the world!
- Sat/Sun: He arrived in Bethany and stayed with Mary, Martha and Lazarus.
- Monday: He fulfilled prophecy by riding into Jerusalem on a colt with the multitudes crying out, "Hosanna, blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord, the Son of David." Then, he returned again to Bethany.
- Tuesday: He returned to Jerusalem and cleansed the temple and then, once again, returned to Bethany to spend the night with Mary, Martha and Lazarus.
- Wednesday: He curses the fig tree and then proceeded to the temple where He confronted the pride, self-righteousness, hypocrisy, rebellion and wickedness of Israel’s spiritual leadership by means of a series of parables.
- Thurs-Sun: He will celebrate the Last Supper with the disciples on Thursday, be crucified on Friday and rise from the dead early Sunday morning!!
I The Intimacy of a Wedding Invitation
“The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son ..”
Interpretation:
- The Kingdom of heaven is the sphere of God's rule.
- The king and father of the Son is God.
- The king’s son is the bridegroom, Jesus Christ.
- The wedding feast is the "Marriage Supper of the Lamb" - Rev 19:7-9.
- The initial guests are the Jews of that generation.
- The servants who are sent out are preachers of the gospel.
- The alternate guests are the Gentile nations.
- The wedding garment is the righteousness of Christ.
- He sent out his servants to call those who were invited [Verse 1-3]
Sent out = Apostello = “To set apart for a mission”
Background on Jewish weddings:
- The wedding date was set and invitations were sent out
- Once the preparations had been made, servants would be sent to remind the invited guests that everything was ready
- The wedding ceremony would be performed followed by a 7-day wedding feast -- paid for by the father of the groom.
(2014)
May God bless you through this message!
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