197 The Conflict Escalates Matthew 21 A

Jesus now enters Jerusalem riding on a donkey. The contrast is significant of the Roman Kings that ride in on a war horse and now the Messiah - King of the Jews comes riding on a donkey, his feet no doubt almost dragging in the dust. Everyone flocks out to see and welcome Him into the city. They expect him to set up an earthly kingdom and conquer the Romans. But he instead goes to the temple and drives out the animals and their sellers that had turned it from a place of prayer into a market. Those who question the nonviolence of Jesus point to this story and the fig tree as examples of his violence. However it is his authority not his violence that caused the people to flee. We also address the diagnosis of the fig tree which reveals his disappointment in the nation of Israel that were found to be barren of the fruit that God wanted it to bare. The pdf is at www.rediscoveringgod.ca.