The Greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven: “At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? This question comes after Jesus has already told his disciples twice about the suffering and death that awaits him in Jerusalem (Matthew 16:21-23; 17:22-23), and after he has told them that following him entails denying themselves and taking up the cross (16:24-25).
Causing to Stumble: “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea” (v.6).
The Parable of the Wandering Sheep: “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven. “What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish” (vv. 10-14).
Jesus’ Ministry in Judea and Pera (Matthew Chapter 19)
“When Jesus had finished saying these things, he left Galilee and went into the region of Judea to the other side of the Jordan. Large crowds followed him, and he healed them there” (vv. 1:2).
The Little Children and Jesus: “Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there” (vv. 13-15).
The Rich and the Kingdom of God: “Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments” (vv. 16-17). The rich man was thinking in terms of righteousness by works. Jesus had to correct this misunderstanding first before answering the question more fully. There is only One who is good: The good is not something to be done as meritorious in itself. God alone is good, and all other goodness derives from him—even the keeping of the commandments, which Jesus proceeded to enumerate (vv. 18-20).
BIBLE STUDY OUTLINE MONDAY, MARCH 20 – MARCH 26, 2017
The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard (20:1–16)
Prediction of Jesus’ Death (20:17–19)
A Mother’s Request (20:20–28)
Restoration of Sight at Jericho (20:29–34)
Passion Week (chapters 21–27)
The Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem as King (21:1–11)
The Cleansing of the Temple (21:12–17)
