"Gun Fight At The Ok Corral: In Jerusalem?”

In Jesus Holy Name November 17, 2023

Text: Matthew 25:14-15a Pentecost XVIII - Redeemer

“Gun Fight at the OK Corral: In Jerusalem?”

If you are a western movie buff you probably remember the movie directed by John Ford entitled: Gunfight at the O.K. Corral which was released in 1957.

The Gunfight at the O.K. Corral took place at about 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 26, 1881, in Tombstone, Arizona Territory, Cochise County, of the United States. Frank and Tom McLaury and Billy Clanton were known for being members of group of outlaws called the Cowboys. They had an ongoing conflict with lawmen Wyatt, Virgil and Morgan Earp.

The McLaury brothers repeatedly threatened the Earps because the Earps interfered with the Cowboys' illegal activities. In the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral about 30 shoots were fired in this 30 minute gunfight. Frank and Tom McLaury and Billy Clanton were killed. Morgan Earp, Virgil Earp and Doc Holliday were wounded and survived. Wyatt Earp was the only individual who came through the fight unharmed.

The Gospel of Matthew, Matthew records a biblical gunfight that took place in the Temple in Jerusalem between Jesus, the Pharisees and Sadducees. The bullets used were words. When it was over Jesus was the one who died. Remember, Jesus is in the “temple”, He spoke these parables to the Pharisees and Sadducees two days before he was arrested. Let’s take a journey with the disciples during the last week of Jesus’ life in Jerusalem and listen to the parables.

Matthew 25 records three parables. The parable of the Ten Bridesmaids; Parable of the Talents; The parable of the Sheep and Goats. What do they all have in common?

1st When Jesus returns those who were not prepared will find the door closed. 2nd Those who bury their talent will be cast into outer darkness. And 3rd those who said they believed in Jesus but were selfish and failed to serve their fellowman will also find the door to heaven closed.

Holy Week begins in Matthew 21 –Jesus arrives in Jerusalem – to great acclaim! V 12 Jesus entered the temple… V 14 He healed the blind and lame V 15 Chief priest, teachers of the law were indignant.

The Pharisees question the authority of Jesus. Jesus tells”:

V 28 a parable two sons… V 33 a parable… tenants of a vineyard… but to understand the accuracy of Jesus in this verbal battle He takes the Pharisees to their own “testament”, to Isaiah 51:1-7.

Jesus makes the point that the “landowner” who planted the vineyard is God. The vineyard stands for the people of God, His fellow Jews, and the “temple” is where they come to worship God. The religious leaders are the farmers who were to produce the fruit of the kingdom, which is grace, justice, mercy & love. They are the renters. They do not own the temple. In the parable when the owner of the vineyard sends His Son, the renters kill Him.

Jesus warned: “The kingdom of God…will be taken away from you (Jerusalem destroyed in 70 A.D.)

22:15…. “the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words….”

The day comes to an end and Jesus and his disciples are leaving the beautiful temple area with its white limestone brilliant in the sun.

24:1 – 3 Looking back towards the city from the Mount of Olives….Jesus said: The day is coming when not one stone of the temple will be left. Then the disciple ask: V 36 : “What will be the sign?” Jesus said you will get no sign. Watch. The day and hour no one knows.

Last week Jesus told the parable of the Ten Virgins… is a reminder that “There Is a Deadline” . “You are fools, you are missing the “wedding banquet” of the King.” The “bridegroom has arrived! He is standing in His “temple”. They of course were rejecting Jesus as the Messiah. His message, His words. Watch and be prepared!

Did you hear about the Christmas parade in central North Carolina? Many elaborate floats passed by when suddenly a simple hay wagon pulled by a tractor is the last float in the parade. On the wagon are several fraternity boys from the university. They are madly sawing boards and nailing things together. The puzzled expressions of the onlooker's faces changed to laughter when they read the sign on the back of the wagon. It read: "We thought the parade was next week!"

Isn't that just how it is? There is a time to prepare, and there is a deadline after which nothing will do. Either you're ready or you are not.

The parable of the talents is asking: What's Your Purpose in Life? This parable is not about how you invest your dollars. At first glance it seems the parable is asking about ow you will invest your money. No. The parable is about you and I possessing the “gospel” of salvation by faith in Jesus. Will we share it or bury it?