Matthew 21

Jesus now returns to Jerusalem, hailed as a hero. Little do people know that they will turn on him in a short time. Jesus heads to the temple and in a symbolic act, destroys the money-changers (they are religiously sanctioned rip-off artists who fill the pockets of the authorities) franchise. Jesus then goes about real God-work. He heals.

 

Jesus uses the fig tree (that had no fruit) as occasion to teach his friends about the new for consistent prayer. The disciples are surprised (scared?) that the prayer of Jesus is so powerful.

 

The religious leaders, obviously mad at Jesus' display the day before, ask by what authority Jesus does this. The leaders only see earthly authority (namely them) as one that matters. Jesus turns the questions back on them, which infuriates them because, if they answer, they condemn themselves. Stalemate.

 

Jesus tells of two sons. He points out that the one who ultimately does the father's will, even if reluctantly and late, offers the preferred response. Saying the right things and doing nothing is not helpful or acceptable. God works with the trusting and can seldom work with the self-righteous.

 

In another story, Jesus points out that we are guests in God's Creation (church as well) and we often come to think it is ours, even to the point of denying God and instituting our own rules. God will remedy this, even if it seems to take a long time to do it. God will work with those who want to work with him and not with people who have a religious pedigree and have come to have little use for a real, growing relationship with God. Blisteringly angry, the religious leaders look for a way to do away with Jesus. He threatens their little religious business.