If you haven’t read it lately, now is a good time. It’s Matthew 21:42,43. Of course, when it was issued, it was to put the Jewish people on notice that the kingdom of God was going to be taken away from them and given to another nation. We, here in America, think of ourselves as being that other nation. If it is true, the Christians here in America need to be sure that we don’t repeat the mistakes that were made by God’s chosen people.
The betrayal of the Messiah was recorded in some of the Old Testament books (Psalms and Zechariah are two that I know of). Zechariah 11:10-14 was the text for this week’s sermon. Verse 10 speaks of cutting up the staff to break the covenant that was made with the people. “And it was broken in that day…(verse 11).” This is speaking of prophecy. The same verse continues that the poor of the flock, that would be his disciples, waited upon him because they knew his words were that of the Lord.
The next two verses of prophesy speak of the interaction that Judas Iscariot had with the chief priests. Matthew 26:14-16 sets the price of the betrayal of Jesus at 30 pieces of silver which is the price also set in Zechariah 11:12. Of course Judas repented of what he had done and took the 30 pieces of silver back to the priests. He didn’t want it and the priests called it “blood money” so they used it to buy a potter’s field to bury strangers in (Matthew 27:3-7). The prophesy for this is in Zechariah 11:13.
Now Jesus spoke of the stone that the builders rejected in Matthew 21:42 and we know who that is. The cornerstone (Jesus) that was rejected by the builders (Israel) is prophesied in Psalms 118:22. The next verse (Matthew 21:43) says that the kingdom of God will be given to a nation bringing forth fruits. Fruits you ask. We have Colossians 1:5,6: “…whereof you heard before in the truth of the gospel; which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it does also in you, since the day you heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth.” Bringing forth fruit, the fruit of the gospel of Christ. Spreading the good news (gospel) and leading others to Christ (the door to heaven).
The betrayal of the Messiah was recorded in some of the Old Testament books (Psalms and Zechariah are two that I know of). Zechariah 11:10-14 was the text for this week’s sermon. Verse 10 speaks of cutting up the staff to break the covenant that was made with the people. “And it was broken in that day…(verse 11).” This is speaking of prophecy. The same verse continues that the poor of the flock, that would be his disciples, waited upon him because they knew his words were that of the Lord.
The next two verses of prophesy speak of the interaction that Judas Iscariot had with the chief priests. Matthew 26:14-16 sets the price of the betrayal of Jesus at 30 pieces of silver which is the price also set in Zechariah 11:12. Of course Judas repented of what he had done and took the 30 pieces of silver back to the priests. He didn’t want it and the priests called it “blood money” so they used it to buy a potter’s field to bury strangers in (Matthew 27:3-7). The prophesy for this is in Zechariah 11:13.
Now Jesus spoke of the stone that the builders rejected in Matthew 21:42 and we know who that is. The cornerstone (Jesus) that was rejected by the builders (Israel) is prophesied in Psalms 118:22. The next verse (Matthew 21:43) says that the kingdom of God will be given to a nation bringing forth fruits. Fruits you ask. We have Colossians 1:5,6: “…whereof you heard before in the truth of the gospel; which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it does also in you, since the day you heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth.” Bringing forth fruit, the fruit of the gospel of Christ. Spreading the good news (gospel) and leading others to Christ (the door to heaven).
