Mateus 21

Mateus 21

Boice adds that "Citizens of the (Roman) empire were required to burn a pinch of incense to the reigning Caesar and utter the words Kyrios Kaisar (“Caesar is Lord!”). It is this that the early Christians refused to do and for which they were themselves thrown to the wild lions or crucified. It was not that Christians were forbidden to worship God. They were free to worship any god they chose so long as they also acknowledged Caesar. Romans were tolerant. But when Christians denied to Caesar the allegiance that they believed belonged to the true God only, they were executed. (See Boice's Daniel: An Expositional Commentary- Page 69) Wayne Detzler writes that kurios - In the earliest Greek this word meant "to have power or authority." Later it came to describe one who is in control. As classical Greek developed, it became a title for men of importance. Since the gods of ancient Greece were neither creators nor lords of their fate, pagan deities were not called "lord" until much later. By the time of Christ, kings had come to be called "lord." This was true of the Roman Emperor Caligula (A.D. 37-41). It was also true of Candace, the fabled queen of upper Egypt (Ac 8:27). So too Herod the Great, Herod Agrippa I, and Herod Agrippa II were called "lord." (BORROW New Testament Words in Today's Language) Kurios in Matthew's Gospel - Matt. 1:20; Matt. 1:22; Matt. 1:24; Matt. 2:13; Matt. 2:15; Matt. 2:19; Matt. 3:3; Matt. 4:7; Matt. 4:10; Matt. 5:33; Matt. 6:24; Matt. 7:21; Matt. 7:22; Matt. 8:2; Matt. 8:6; Matt. 8:8; Matt. 8:21; Matt. 8:25; Matt. 9:28; Matt. 9:38; Matt. 10:24; Matt. 10:25; Matt. 11:25; Matt. 12:8; Matt. 13:27; Matt. 14:28; Matt. 14:30; Matt. 15:22; Matt. 15:25; Matt. 15:27; Matt. 16:22; Matt. 17:4; Matt. 17:15; Matt. 18:21; Matt. 18:25; Matt. 18:27; Matt. 18:31; Matt. 18:32; Matt. 18:34; Matt. 20:8; Matt. 20:30; Matt. 20:31; Matt. 20:33; Matt. 21:3; Matt. 21:9; Matt. 21:30; Matt. 21:40; Matt. 21:42; Matt. 22:37; Matt. 22:43; Matt. 22:44; Matt. 22:45; Matt. 23:39; Matt. 24:42; Matt. 24:45; Matt. 24:46; Matt. 24:48; Matt. 24:50; Matt. 25:11; Matt. 25:18; Matt. 25:19; Matt. 25:20; Matt. 25:21; Matt. 25:22; Matt. 25:23; Matt. 25:24; Matt. 25:26; Matt. 25:37; Matt. 25:44; Matt. 26:22; Matt. 27:10; Matt. 27:63; Matt. 28:2; Send (649) apostello from apo = from, away from + stello = to withdraw from, avoid) means to send off, to send forth, to send out. To send out; to commission as a representative, an ambassador, an envoy. The idea is to send forth from one place to another. But the meaning of apostello is more than just to send because it means "to send off on a commission to do something as one’s personal representative, with credentials furnished" (Wuest) To send upon some business (Mt. 2:16; 10:5; 20:2). To send away in the sense of to dismiss (Mk 12:3, 4). To send or thrust forth as a sickle among corn (Mk 4:29). Apostello summarized - 1. send someone out, implying for a particular purpose (Mk 1:11; 1Co 1:17); 2. send a message, send word (Ac 28:28, Mt 14:35, Mt 27:19); 3. (apostellō to drepanon), begin to harvest, place the sickle (Mk 4:29) (Ed: literally "send the sickle" = begin to harvest) Apostello in Matthew - Matt. 2:16; Matt. 8:31; Matt. 10:5; Matt. 10:16; Matt. 10:40; Matt. 11:10; Matt. 13:41; Matt. 14:35; Matt. 15:24; Matt. 20:2; Matt. 21:1; Matt. 21:3; Matt. 21:34; Matt. 21:36; Matt. 21:37; Matt. 22:3; Matt. 22:4; Matt. 22:16; Matt. 23:34; Matt. 23:37; Matt. 24:31; Matt. 27:19 Alan Carr - One of the most amazing statements in the Bible is found here in verse three in verse 3, and it has to do with that little beast. It says, “The Lord hath need of him.” When did God ever “need” anything? Here is what God had to say about His Own needs, Psa. 50:9-12. But, that was the paradox of our Lord’s earthly life. He was rich, yet He became poor, 2 Cor. 8:9. ·He owned all things, yet He possessed nothing. He created the stars, yet He had nowhere to lay His Own head, Matt. 8:20. ·He fashioned everything there is out of nothing, yet He had to borrow a boat from which to preach His Gospel. ·He created every drop of water that exists in the world, yet He cried “I thirst” as He was dying on the cross, John 19:28. ·He created every tree, but He died on a borrowed cross. ·He created every rock, but He had to borrow a tomb in which to be buried. ·He used the clouds as His chariots, Psa. 104:3, yet He had to borrow a donkey on which to ride. ·That is the paradox of His life! ·He was rich, yet made Himself poor so that those who believe on Him might enjoy His riches! The Lord could save sinners and accomplish His work on earth just fine without us. Yet, He chooses to use frail, human instruments for His glory. When we are like that donkey, Redeemed, Released and Ruled, He can use us too.Being a little donkey isn’t so bad when Jesus is your Master. Look at what that donkey did. He got to carry the King of Glory into Jerusalem. The Lord used Him as His vehicle to get glory to His name. That’s what He wants to do with you and me! Let’s yield to Him and let Him rule us as He sees fit. By the way, when that little Redeemed, Released, Ruled donkey walked by with Jesus on his back, nobody saw the donkey! All eyes were on the Lord Jesus. That’s how it should be all time. If the Lord has spoken to you on any level through this message, you need to respond to Him. There are some here that need to be Redeemed. You need to come to Jesus.There are some here that need to be Released. Sins and the flesh hold you captive. Come to Jesus, He specialized in delivering the captives, Luke 4:18.There are some here that need to be Ruled. You need to submit to the Lordship of Jesus in your life. When you do, you will have no trouble submitting to the authorities the Lord has placed in your life. If Jesus has spoken to you on any level, you need to hear Him and heed Him today. Will you do that right now? Wanted! Read: Luke 19:29-40 The Lord has need of him. —Luke 19:34 As Jesus approached Jerusalem for the last time, He sent two disciples into the city to bring Him a donkey. He told them, “If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you loosing it?’ thus you shall say to him, ‘Because the Lord has need of it’” (Luke 19:31). As we approach our sunset years, we may ask ourselves, “Can I still be useful to God? Is there some service I can render that will fill my days with significance? Am I needed?” Of course you are! God needs you just as He needed the donkey to carry Him through the streets of Jerusalem. He has always needed something or someone to get His work done. He still has useful work for you to do. Perhaps your work will be one brief task, like the donkey’s single act of service. Or it may be some activity that will fully occupy your years until your Master calls you home. It may be an opportunity to share your faith with someone, to intercede for him, or to love him through quiet acts of mercy, friendly visits, or to extend some small courtesy. There will always be something for you to do. In the meantime, you and I must stand and wait, preparing ourselves through prayer, Bible reading, and quiet listening—ready for the moment that our Lord has need of us. Will you be ready when He needs you? God has work for all His children, regardless of age or ability. F B