Matthew 23
This chapter is a powerful denunciation by Jesus of the Hypocrisy of the Scribes and Pharisees, the religious leaders of the time. Jesus condemns their external piety, for they meticulously follow rules to be seen by men but neglect true justice and mercy; failing to practice what they preach and burdening others with heavy rules they themselves do not follow.
He pronounces seven “woes” upon them and contrasts their pride and love of honour with the humility and service of His true followers, ending with Jesus’ sorrowful lament over Jerusalem’s rejection of God’s protection which leads to impending judgment.
Themes:
-Hypocrisy of Religious Leaders.
-Externalism Vs. Internal Reality.
-Teaching and Practice Discrepancy.
-Pride and Desire for Honour.
-The Seven “Woes.”
-The Condemnation of the Nation.
-Impending Judgment.
Lessons
Let us be the doers of the Word and not Preachers and hearers only.
Prayer
Father, help us to do Your will only.
Let Your Will be done in our lives on earth as it is in heaven now and forever more in Jesus Christ’s Mighty Name! Amen!
Thank You, Jesus!
Practical Applications
Examine Your Heart
Regularly assess your motives and actions to ensure they align with your faith. Are you living authentically, or are there areas of hypocrisy that need addressing
Seek God’s Approval
Focus on pleasing God rather than seeking recognition from others. Let your actions be driven by a desire to honor Him.
Prioritize Justice and Mercy
Make a conscious effort to practice justice, mercy, and faithfulness in your daily life. These are the true measures of a godly life.
Embrace Humility
Cultivate a servant’s heart, looking for ways to serve others selflessly, following the example of Christ!
Reflections On Matthew 24
Today, we study the Book of Matthew chapter Twenty-four, where the Lord Jesus announced the coming of the SON OF MAN
Reflections:
“JESUS IS COMING SOON”
Key Scripture
Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. He will send His Angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other”
(Matthew 24:30-31)
END-TIME IS NEAR!
Brethren, we are already in that “TIME”!
The prophesies of the END – TIMES are being fulfilled!
What Next?
1. The Rapture
(1 Thess. 4:13-18)
2. The revelation of the Antichrist
(2 Thess. 2:3-4)
3. The Great Tribulation
(Matthew 24:21)
4. The Millennial Reign of Christ
(Matthew 24:30-31)
5. The White Throne Judgment
(Rev 20:11-15)
6. The Lake of Fire
(Rev 20:14)
Lessons
Brethren, these events are relevant to our “future”
Are we ready?
1. Have you accepted Jesus as Lord & Saviour?
2. Will you be caught up at The Rapture?
3. As it is appointed for all once to die, are you qualified for “REWARDS” and “CROWNS”
4. Will you reign with Christ ON EARTH in the 1000 years?
5. What is your FATE at the ETERNAL JUDGMENT?
Warning
Dearly beloved,
Heaven is real!
Jesus is coming soon!!
Hallelujah!!!
Prayer
Father, help us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling as we look forward to your coming.
Come Lord Jesus.
Amen.
Matthew 25:13 NKJV
“Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming”
Hebrews 12:12-13 NKJV- “Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed”
Having outlined the Signs of the End Times in Matthew 24, today’s chapter leaves us with answers on what our disposition should be, while we patiently await His Coming. Jesus illustrated this with the following:
1. The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins (vs1-13)
2. The Parable of the Talents or the Unprofitable Servant (vs 14-30)
3. Judgement of the Nations (vs 31-46)
The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins is well known to most of us. Christ teaches the necessity of PREPAREDNESS and WATCHFULNESS in view of His coming.
He compares His Second Coming to a joyful wedding procession in which the unprepared cannot participate. 5 virgins were described as foolish because they did not take extra oil to replenish their supply, should the oil be used up.
The other 5 are wise because they took extra oil in vessels besides what they had in their lamps, thereby they are prepared for the unexpected delay of the bridegroom.
It will be too late to receive Jesus as Lord and Saviour at His return if you have not done so now.
1 Corinthians 16:13 NKJV- “Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong”.
Ephesians 6:18 NKJV- “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints”
The Parable of the Talents illustrates DILIGENCE in view of His coming. Each of the servants received according to his ability.
The first two traded and doubled the talents while the unprofitable servant disobeyed his Lord.
Instead of trading, he dug the ground and hid the talent. This is the attitude of a slothful person who thinks everything others do prospers, where it would fail in his case.
A slothful man is always afraid to venture out in business and take risks. Watchfulness does not mean IDLENESS but a faithful discharge of our responsibilities.
The wise use of gifts and abilities entrusted to us results in greater opportunities, while their neglect results not only in loss opportunities but of that which was entrusted to us.
The one that hid his talent is a servant like the rest of them, but he became unprofitable.
Hebrews 6:11-12 AMP- “And we desire for each one of you to show the same diligence [all the way through] so as to realize and enjoy the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you will not be [spiritually] sluggish, but [will instead be] imitators of those who through faith [lean on God with absolute trust and confidence in Him and in His power] and by patient endurance [even when suffering] are [now] inheriting the promises”
The Judgement of Nations
This event is outlined in Matthew 24:29-31 and Rev 19:11-21. We must not confuse this with the Judgement of the Wicked Dead, also called the Great White Throne Judgement, according to Rev 20:11-15.
The judgement of the Nations is for all involved with Israel when Christ comes to set up His kingdom. There are about 18 contrasts between the 2 judgements. (Please see attached)
The reason and basis of the Judgement of Nations is highlighted in Matt 25:40 and 45. God will bless or curse according to how men have dealt with Israel – His elect, in fulfilment of His covenant with Abraham in Gen 12:1-3
