Daily Bread for Oct 13, Mat 20-21
Today’s readings are Mat 20-21.
Mat 20:1-16 is about the
reward believers find in salvation. The reward is the same for everyone who
believes. Everyone gets the same salvation. There are none who get more saved,
more of the Spirit, more privileges, more power, loftier callings, etc. The
crucial factors in salvation are a contrite heart, a repentant spirit, and a
transformed life, not longevity in the church, status or role.
Ironically, immediately
after Jesus relates this lesson along with the prophecy of His own death, two
of the disciples, rather than processing the startling news that Jesus is about
to die at the hands of the Scribes and Pharisees, try to jockey for a prime
position in heaven (Mat 20:17-28). After a sobering response to their request,
Jesus heals two blind men (Mat 20:29-33), as if to say,
"You're not getting it yet! Both of you are blind and need to see just as
these two blind men need to see!" Jesus implies that the disciples
should be seeking Jesus rather than lofty positions. The disciples are about to
get a somber lesson on lofty positions and what they can produce in the heart
of a man.
Jesus enters Jerusalem
to the praise of the crowds gathered there for the Passover (Mat 21:1-11). His
entry fulfills prophecies from Isaiah (Is 62:11) and Zechariah (Zec 9:9). But,
contrary to the expectations of most of the crown, He comes humble and riding
on a donkey instead of entering as the conquering king.
In another move that
defies expectations, rather than addressing the oppressive circumstances of the
Jews at the hands of the Romans, He cleanses the temple! The Jews believed the
Messiah would deliver them from their oppressors and vindicate them before the
entire world. Instead, Christ sends the clear message that He is here to
sanctify and clean those who are His (1 Pet 4:17).
As evidence of His
authority in the temple, after he cleanses it of thieves and robbers, He heals
the blind and lame and little children begin to praise Jesus fulfilling yet
another prophecy (Ps 8:2). The same priests who saw nothing wrong with unsavory
vendors in the courtyard of the temple now condemn the children for praising
God and calling Jesus "Son of David." Jesus reminds the priests that
Scripture says God ordains praise for Himself from "babes and
infants" (Mat 21:14-17).
Jesus' response to the
concerns of the chief priests and scribes is brilliant (Mat 21:15-16). He
insists the children be allowed to continue in their praise. Furthermore, He
claims that the children, who are praising Jesus, are also praising God. Jesus
is trying to tell the priests that He is God. The answer Jesus gives also
affirms the spirituality and faith of the young ones, despite their age. This
is intended to be a rebuke to the priests who consider themselves not only
older and wiser than the children but older and wiser than Jesus.
Having challenged the
spiritual leaders and posed a threat to their lofty positions, Jesus now
condemns the fruits of their ministries (Mat 21:18-22) due to their evil
hearts. They respond by challenging Jesus’ authority and are once again
embarrassed and humiliated by the Lord (Mat 21:23-27).
Jesus relates two
parables, both of which are metaphors for how the Jewish leaders have treated
the prophets and will treat Him (Mat 21:28-46).
It’s not always easy
gazing into the mirror Scripture sets before us. The priests, scribes,
Pharisees et al. have been laboring under an altered perception of the truth
concerning the history of the Jews and their relationship with God. They fell
victim to the idea that they were more spiritual and closer to God because they
were Jewish and occupied a position of authority and influence. When Jesus
shows up and begins the Passover week by cleaning out the temple, instead of
repenting and expressing some humility, they get angry and allow the anger to
fester. This only causes them to experience more humility which fuels further
outrage. The way to defuse their anger was repentance and a surrender to the
word of God. Instead, they stubbornly held on to the notion that they were
right and justified in their actions. As we are learning, this type of
self-righteousness and self-justification can be deadly.
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