INTRODUCTION

As mentioned before, Matthew seems to have given special attention to the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, though of course such fulfillment is noted also by the other gospel writers. The three selections from Matthew (or four counting the key verse) in this lesson are examples of fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah in the ministry of Jesus.

Lesson outline follows:

1. Patience, Matthew 12:14-21. 
a. Council of enemies, 14. 
b. Counsel of eternity, 15-21. 

2. Parables, Matthew 13:34,35. 
a. Preaching in parables, 34. 
b. Purpose in parables, 35. 

3. Power, Matthew 21:1-5. 
a. Proof of power, 1-3. 
b. Prophecy of power, 4-5. 

NOTES ON THE TEXT:

PATIENCE, Matthew 12:14-21.

How thankful we ought to be for the patience of God! Were it not for the divine quality of patience, the imcomprehensible love and longsuffering of God, this wicked world must surely have been destroyed ten thousand times and given over to righteous punishment without remedy.

Only the patience of God has so long stayed the hand of eternal justice. It is to that patience that the wicked still on earth owe their continued enjoyment of divine mercies. Thanks to that pat- ience, we who are now His children were permitted to live until we heard and believed the gospel. And now that we are His people we too often impose upon God's patience and fail to respond as we ought to His infinite love and mercy.

Council of Enemies, 14.

Why did the enemies of Jesus hate him and seek to des1roy Him? Because deep down in their hearts they knew that He was right and they were wrong, and that is always hard for evil men to endure.

Counsel of Eternity, 15-21.

But temporal plots of puny men could not interfere with the counsel of God from eternity. If some creatures are not pleased by divine mercies, others are delighted to receive their benefits. Jesus therefore gave Himself to healing and helping those who welcomed His ministry.

Isaiah's prophecy, written some seven centuries before the time of Christ, beautifully describes the patience and longsuffering, as well as the eventual triumph, of Messiah's ministry.

PARABLES, Matthew 13:34, 35.

Etymologically, a parable is something thrown alongside. That is, a parable is a comparison, a story or illustration intended to convey some truth or idea beside and outside itself. The parables of Jesus were in themselves true to nature and to natural life, but by comparison teach more impor- tant spiritual truth.

Preaching in Parables, 34.

So characteristic was the use of parables in the teaching of Jesus that Matthew tells us He did not customarily speak (this is the meaning of the Greek tense here) without a parable.

Purpose in Parables, 35.

Jesus' purpose in the use of parables was at least three-fold: First, as stated in this verse, simply to fulfill prophecy.

Second, to hide truth from people who do not appreciate the little 1ruth they already know [See vv. 12-15; also Mark 4:11., 12; Luke 8:10].

Third, to reveal truth to God's elect who are given eyes and ears to see and hear spiritually [vv. 1.6, 17; also Mark 4:33, 34].

Even the disciples, however, needed to get explanation of the parables from Jesus [v. 36; also Mark 4:34]. Beware of "interpretations" of parables made to support strange doctrines different from what is plainly taught in the Word of God.

POWER, Matthew 21:1-5.

If unbelievers marveled at the mighty works of Jesus, believers who recognize Him as the eternal God manifested in human flesh know that He is omnipotent, having all power.

Proof of Power, 1-3.

None but God could know at a distance the location and availability of the ass and her colt; none but God could foretell and bring to pass the willingness of the owner or custodian to send them to meet the Lord's "need."

Prophecy of Power, 4- 5.

The same God Who in the Holy Spirit inspired the prophecy fulfilled it in the Son. Purpose and prophecies of a creature may fail, because the knowledge and power of the creature are limited; but the infinite God with infinite knowledge and wisdom forever lives with infinite power to do what He will. To encourage our faith He tells us of some of His works before He does them. "The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy" [Revelation 19:10].

CONCLUSION [Matthew 25:56]

"All this," the multitude of detailed events in connection with the betrayal and arrest of Jesus, along with other events mentioned in the New Testament, were in fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. When" all the disciples forsook him, and fled," that also was a fulfillment of prophecy.
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[From Ashland Avenue Baptist paper, December 12, 1975, Scanned and formatted by Jim Duvall.]

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