MATTHEW
20:29-21:17
- Four times, Jesus is called ‘the Son of David’ (30-31, 9,15). Christ
is greater than David. He is David’s ‘Lord’ (22:41-46). Christ is not
only ‘the Son of David’. He is also the Son of God (Romans 1:3-4). We
rejoice with the Psalms of David. We rejoice even more in the Gospel of
Christ. Our response to Christ is to be marked by discipleship, depth and devotion. Discipleship - The blind men ‘received their sight
and followed Him’ (34). They did not receive their sight and then
forget about Him. Grace is to be followed by gratitude. Those who have
received grace are to give themselves to the Lord in gratitude. Depth - The crowds were enthusiastic (8-9) but superficial (27:20-23). Pray for depth, a true and lasting response to Christ. Devotion - Pray that the spirit of praise will overcome the spirit of pride (15).
21:18-46
- Jesus entered the city (10). He entered the temple (12). He went
‘back to the city’ (18). He entered the temple (23). Here, we have the
pattern for Christian living - in the place of worship, out into the
world, back to the place of worship... Worship, witness, worship... The
two go hand in hand throughout the Christian life. We will encounter
unbelief - even in the place of worship (23). God’s servants - the
prophets - were rejected (35-36). God’s Son - Jesus - was rejected
(37-39). We live in a situation where the threat of judgment is very
real (19). Nevertheless, there is hope. Christ is ‘the Church’s one
Foundation’ (Church Hymnary,
420). Through Him, we will bear fruit which will bring glory to God
(42-43). We have been slow to believe, but God is ‘swift to bless’. No
more ‘I will not’ - let there be repentance, entering God’s Kingdom and
doing His will (29- 31).
22:1-14
- Jesus speaks in parables. Some hear, understand and believe. Others
miss the point altogether. One man was ‘not wearing wedding clothes’
(11). He was dressed in the ‘filthy rags’ of his own ‘righteous acts’
(Isaiah 64:6). He was not clothed in the righteousness of Christ
(Revelation 21:1-2, 7:9-14). Without Christ’s righteousness we are naked
and ashamed. Sin brings shame. Before sin, there was nakedness without
shame (Genesis 2:25). After sin, ‘they realized they were naked... and
made coverings for themselves’ (Genesis 3:7). Spiritually, we are naked
before the all-seeing eye of God (Hebrews 4:13). Christ says, ‘buy from me... white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness’ (Revelation 3:18). God says, ‘Come, buy... without money... Seek the Lord... call on Him... He will have mercy... He will freely pardon...’ (Isaiah 55: 1, 6-8). Do you want to enter God's Kingdom? Make sure you are clothed in Christ's righteousness.
22:15-33
- The Pharisees were subtle - just like the ‘ancient serpent who is
the devil’ (Genesis 3:1; Revelation 20:2). They tried ‘to entangle Jesus
in His talk’ (15). They wanted to trap Him and bring a charge against
Him. They asked Jesus about payment of taxes to Caesar (17). Jesus moved
beyond this question to our greatest responsibility: ‘Render ... to God
the things that are God’s’ (21). If we must speak words of political
significance - ‘Render.. to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s’ (21) - ,
let them arise out of this: Giving God His rightful place in His
Church, the nation and the wider world. Jesus’ words to the Sadducees,
in verse 29, were not simply a protest against the religion of the
Sadducees. They were a protest for the Scriptures and the power of God. A positive faith is much more helpful than a purely negative reaction!
22:34-46
- The Pharisees had failed. The Sadducees had failed. Now, ‘they come
together’ (34). There were differences between them, yet they were
prepared to lay aside their differences and join forces in their common
opposition to Jesus. They were trying to get Him to set one commandment
above all the others. They would then say that He had insufficient
respect for the other commandments. Jesus answered them wisely: Love -
for God and our neighbour - embraces all the commandments. They
have fired questions at Jesus. Now, He puts a question to them (42). He
seeks to raise their thinking beyond the human level - Jesus is not
merely ‘the son of David’ (42). He is the Son of God. Greater than all
of the great men, He is ‘our Lord and our God’ (John 20:28). No more
trick questions. Give the answer of faith: ‘You are... the Son of the
living God’ (16: 16).
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