Life Recovery Bible - Flipbook - Page 43
M atthew 2 1 / Page 1229
She knelt respectfully to ask a favor. 21 “What
is your request?” he asked.
She replied, “In your Kingdom, please let
my two sons sit in places of honor next to
you, one on your right and the other on your
left.”
22
But Jesus answered by saying to them,
“You don’t know what you are asking! Are
you able to drink from the bitter cup of suffering I am about to drink?”
“Oh yes,” they replied, “we are able!”
23
Jesus told them, “You will indeed drink
from my bitter cup. But I have no right to
say who will sit on my right or my left. My
Father has prepared those places for the ones
he has chosen.”
24
When the ten other disciples heard what
James and John had asked, they were indignant. 25 But Jesus called them together and
said, “You know that the rulers in this world
lord it over their people, and officials flaunt
their authority over those under them. 26 But
among you it will be different. Whoever
wants to be a leader among you must be
your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first
among you must become your slave. 28 For
even the Son of Man came not to be served
but to serve others and to give his life as a
ransom for many.”
Jesus Heals Two Blind Men
29
As Jesus and the disciples left the town of
Jericho, a large crowd followed behind. 30 Two
blind men were sitting beside the road. When
they heard that Jesus was coming that way,
they began shouting, “Lord, Son of David,
have mercy on us!”
31
“Be quiet!” the crowd yelled at them.
But they only shouted louder, “Lord, Son
of David, have mercy on us!”
32
When Jesus heard them, he stopped and
called, “What do you want me to do for you?”
33
“Lord,” they said, “we want to see!”
34
Jesus felt sorry for them and touched their
eyes. Instantly they could see! Then they followed him.
C H A P T E R 21
Jesus’ Triumphant Entry
As Jesus and the disciples approached Jerusa
lem, they came to the town of Bethphage on
the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of them
on ahead. 2 “Go into the village over there,”
he said. “As soon as you enter it, you will see
a donkey tied there, with its colt beside it.
Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone
asks what you are doing, just say, ‘The Lord
needs them,’ and he will immediately let you
take them.”
4
This took place to fulfill the prophecy that
said,
5
“Tell the people of Jerusalem,*
‘Look, your King is coming to you.
He is humble, riding on a donkey—
riding on a donkey’s colt.’”*
6
The two disciples did as Jesus commanded.
They brought the donkey and the colt to
him and threw their garments over the colt,
and he sat on it.*
8
Most of the crowd spread their garments
on the road ahead of him, and others cut
branches from the trees and spread them on
the road. 9 Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were
shouting,
7
“Praise God* for the Son of David!
Blessings on the one who comes in
the name of the Lord!
Praise God in highest heaven!”*
10
The entire city of Jerusalem was in an uproar as he entered. “Who is this?” they asked.
11
And the crowds replied, “It’s Jesus, the
prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
Jesus Clears the Temple
12
Jesus entered the Temple and began to
drive out all the people buying and selling
1:5a Greek Tell the daughter of Zion. Isa 62:11. 21:5b Zech 9:9. 21:7 Greek over them, and he sat on them.
2
21:9a Greek Hosanna, an exclamation of praise that literally means “save now”; also in 21:9b, 15. 21:9b Pss
118:25-26; 148:1.
prideful attitude contradicted what Jesus taught and is always detrimental to recovery. Becoming great in God’s sight is achieved through humbly serving others. This is also one of our goals
in recovery. As we receive God’s grace and restoration, we are called to carry God’s message to
others and to help them in the recovery process.
20:29-34 Jesus’ sensitivity to the needs of two blind men in a huge crowd shows that God cares
very much for individuals who hurt. Jesus healed them because they asked him to. They believed
in him and did not listen to the bystanders’ discouraging remarks. They persevered despite opposition and continued with their humble pleas for help. In recovery we may encounter opposition;
we may need to swallow our pride and just keep going. We can be sure that even if others laugh
at us or discourage us, God is listening and will help us in the recovery process.
