Life of Christ Lesson 124a: Judgment for Rejection - Part I {Mountain-Moving Faith}

Matthew 21:20-23; Mark 11:20-28; Luke 20:1, 2; 21:37, 38 In this first of two-part lesson entitled "Judgment for Rejection," we discuss the events that occurred on Tuesday of the Lord's last pre-resurrection week on earth.  The day began with "The Disciples' Amazement" over the fact that the fruitless fig tree Jesus cursed the previous day (Monday morning) was already dead and completely withered.  In response to their surprise, He told them about having faith to be "mountain movers" (speaking spiritually).   When they arrived at the Temple in Jerusalem, Jesus and His men were immediately met by a delegation of chief priests, elders, and scribes who demanded to know by what authority He had not only proclaimed Himself Messiah by His act of riding into the city on the colt of an ass on Sunday (fulfillment of Messianic prophecy), but had then - on Monday - single-handedly (for a second time) cleansed the Temple.  In doing so, He had also accused them as being "thieves" (Matthew 21:13).  This an more is discussed in the second outline division of this lesson, which is entitled, "The Ruler's Antagonism".