Matthew 21

Looking into Matt. 21, One of the first things we'll see is that there are a lot of References from the Tanakh (the old testament: Torah, Nebiim, and Kethubim--the Law, the Prophets and the Writings).
In an overview of this Chapter, we'll see that the reader will get the most understanding and depth of understanding by familiarizing themselves with these OT Scriptural highlights... Try to go and get a feel for each of these, asking, "What's up with God putting this reference in THAT part of the NT Scriptures?"

Look for thematic correlations between the Tanakh and Matthew. Look for a lack of thematic correlations.
What does it mean when there isn't a straight up correlation, and it looks like Matthew was "prooftexting"? What does that say about how the Apostles saw "theology"?

Here's a List of OT Scrips in Matt. 21:
v.5--Zech. 9:9
v.9--Psalm 118:26
v.13--Isaiah 56:7
v.16--Psalm 8:2
v.42--Psalm 118:22,23
These are the direct quotations from this chapter. looks like Psalm 118 may be a key psalm to the Prophetic level of what this chapter in the life of Jesus is about.


Once we stew in these references, let's think about finding Thematic References: What are some Scriptures that come to you as you read this chapter? Related portions of Scripture?

Good questions to ask are:
"How did the first readers feel when they read this?"
"How did Matthew feel as he wrote this?"
"How do I read it differently? Culturally? Historically?"
Does it matter entirely if you do have a different culture?
What isn't culturally/historically changed?

Get INTO the text. Use imagination to place yourself at the feet of Jesus, with Matthew, listening to the master... Imagine the day they walked next to Jesus, leading the donkey and the colt... Meditate on the image: what it means to you. Meditate on the image: what it meant to the Jewish people...

take TIME with the text, today. Let the text be the diving board into an experience of the presence of Jesus.
He loves you.
He loves you.
He loves you.
He loves you.
He loves you.
He loves you.
He loves you.
He loves you.
and on...
and on...
and on...