What does it say?
Jesus came into Jerusalem riding on the back of a donkey and her colt. This was in fulfillment of Zechariah 9:9. The people called Jesus the Son of David and shouted the words of Psalm 118:26. Jesus cleared the temple of those who were using it to make prophet from the people. Jesus was healing and the children continued to shout, “Hosanna to the Son of David.” Jesus received the praise of the children as it is written about him in Psalm 8:2. When Jesus returned the next day, he saw a barron fig tree and cursed it. This amazed the disciples and Jesus told them that if they believe in prayer they will do likewise. The chief priest and the elders questioned Jesus’ authority. Jesus told them that he would answer by whose authority he was acting, if they answered, by whose authority did John baptize? They answered, we do not know because they feared the people. Jesus followed up with two parables: The first was about two sons. The first of the two sons refused to work in his fathers vineyard but later repented and worked in the field. The second said that he would work but did not. Jesus asked, who did the will of his father? They answered the first son. Then Jesus revealed that the people whom they considered sinners were doing the Father’s will, but they, the leaders were not. The second parable was about those whom a landowner rented a vineyard. They killed all whom the landowner sent to receive produce, including the landowner’s son. The Chief priest and the leaders of the people, realizing that Jesus spoke these parables about them. They wanted to seize him but they feared the people who considered him a prophet.
What does it mean?
Jesus believed himself to be the heir to the throne of David but greater than David because he believed that he was the Son of God. Jesus triumphal entry, riding on the back of a donkey and clearing the temple of wayfarers, demonstrated his belief as the king of Israel. However, more is revealed about Jesus belief about himself in this chapter. Jesus believed himself to be the Son of God; therefore, the heir to all of creation, the Lord of heaven and earth. This is demonstrated when the chief priests and the leaders of the people questioned Jesus’ authority. Both of these parables were spoken against these men, but the parable of the landowner reveals Jesus’ belief that he is the Son of God; therefore, the heir to the vineyard. Jesus believed that he was fully God and fully man in one person. This chapter reveals what Jesus believed about the people, about the leaders and about himself.
What shall I do?
Jesus believed that he is both the Son of David and the Son of God. The works that Jesus did in the body demonstrate that he believed. Jesus was crucified, died and was buried in a garden tomb. Jesus rose bodily from the dead on the third day. Therefore, I shall believe about Jesus, what Jesus believed about himself. I shall repent and believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.
