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The Rejection of Jerusalem

Text: Matthew 21 : 17 - 22

Though Jerusalem was the pride of many a Jew, Jesus never chose to reside there. There were many reasons why He never stayed in Jerusalem. Corruption and moral pollution had seeped into the city! Just as the temple had to be cleansed, so the city of Jerusalem was in dire need of spiritual cleansing. We are reminded of a word that Jeremiah spoke to ancient Jerusalem.

“The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying:
‘Stand in the gate of the Lord’s house, and proclaim there
this word, and say, “Hear the word of the Lord, all you of Judah
who enter in at these gates to worship the Lord!” ‘
Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel:
‘Amend your ways and your doings, and I will cause you
to dwell in this place. Do not trust in these lying words,
saying, “The temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord,
the temple of the Lord are these…”

Behold, you trust in lying words that cannot profit.

Has this house, which is called by My Name, become
a den of thieves in your eyes? Behold, I, even I, have seen it,”
says the Lord.
‘But go now to My place which was in Shiloh, where I set
My Name at the first, and see what I did to it because of
the wickedness of My people Israel. And now, because
you have done all these works,’ says the Lord, ‘ and
I spoke to you, rising up early and speaking, but you
did not hear, and I called you, but you did not answer,
therefore I will do to the house which is called by My Name,
in which you trust, and to this place which I gave to you
and your fathers, as I have done to Shiloh. And I will
cast you out of My sight…'”
JEREMIAH 7:1-4, 8, 11-15

1. There was that unshakeable faith in the temple in Jerusalem

There should have been that faith in the Lord, but no, there was instead a deep faith in the temple and in Jerusalem.

2. The temple had become a den of thieves

Instead of being a holy place for worship, many were fleeced by the merchants of the temple. Victimizing worshippers must be one of the worst sins that one could commit. The religious hierarchy was inveigled in this spiritual treachery.

3. There was the terrible rejection of Jesus the Messiah

The rejection of the servants of God in the days of ancient prophets sealed the doom of Judah. How much mire would the rejection of Jesus seal the fate of Jerusalem!

THE CHOICE OF BETHANY

Instead of proud Jerusalem, Jesus chose little Bethany as the city He chose to live in, during the last week of His life on earth.

“Then He left them and went out of the city to Bethany,
and He lodged there.”
MATTHEW 21:17

Bethany was the tiny town where some of the most moving events took place in His life. Let us take time to read what John wrote in his Gospel.

“Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany,
the town of Mary and her sister Martha. It was that Mary
who anointed the Lord with fragrant oil and wiped His feet
with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. Therefore
the sisters sent to Him, saying, ‘Lord, behold, he whom
You love is sick.'”
JOHN 11:1-3

1. It is likely that Jesus stayed in the home of Lazarus, Mary and Martha

Where would Jesus reside whenever He came to Jerusalem? Surely in a home where He was honoured and loved! He loved this household particularly. His love for this family was well known!

2. He had raised Lazarus from the dead

A notable miracle had taken place. Lazarus had been raised from the dead! His house would forever be opened to Jesus and His disciples!

3. The stark contrast

The contrast between Jerusalem and Bethany was stark! The former was bustling with activity, the latter was a sleepy hamlet in contrast. However, whereas the former had little regard for Jesus, the latter loved Him for who He was!

THE SEEMINGLY INSIGNICANT THINGS

The birthplace of Jesus was Bethlehem, an insignificant little town in Judea (Matthew 2:1). He grew up in another inconspicuous town called Nazareth (Matthew 2:23). He now chose to lodge in Bethany (Matthew 21:17).

These three towns were small and insignificant compared to other cities. Nazareth could not be compared with Capernaum. Bethany could not be compared with Jerusalem. By themselves these towns would never have been remembered. They are remembered today because they were towns that Jesus was associated with! What a rich and deep lesson we have here! It is Jesus who makes all the difference!