Matthew 22:15-22
"Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk" (Matthew 22:15, KJV).
"Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him with his words" (Matthew 22:15, NIV).
"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth" (John 1:14).
The Pharisees wanted to trip Jesus in his words. Strange that they would try this. He was the very Word of life--how could they trip him in his words? They wanted to tangle his tongue; they wanted to lay a trap. He could see the way out of every trap they set, but when the time was right, he would willing walk into their trap. His final hour would come. He would lay down his life for his followers (John 10:17). The Word of Life would choose silence.
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Peculiar Tenants
Matthew 21:33-45
The tenants that Jesus describes in his Parable of the Tenants, could have won the "landlord's worst nightmare" award. You see they didn't pay rent. If that wasn't bad enough, they had this nasty habit of killing the people who came to collect rent. After several instances of the landlord's servants getting killed, he sent his son thinking that at least they would respect him, but they didn't. They killed him too.
What would make tenants behave this way? They could have just been mean, greedy, and selfish. Or maybe they got comfortable and mistook leasing the vineyard for owning it. Ultimately, they forgot who they were and they forgot who the landlord was.
The meaning of the parable could be easily deduced by its listeners. Scripture they were already familiar with (Isaiah 5) described Israel as the Lord's vineyard, and the history of the prophets fit well into the storyline (prophet after prophet had been killed). Also, Jesus wrapped up the parable by saying, "I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit" (Matthew 21:42). The message could not be more clear--they were the bad tenants. Tragically, the listeners did not take the story to heart. In fact, with no sense of irony they went from listening to the story to discussing how they could arrest Jesus.
Jesus would later say of them, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing" (Matthew 23:37).
The tenants that Jesus describes in his Parable of the Tenants, could have won the "landlord's worst nightmare" award. You see they didn't pay rent. If that wasn't bad enough, they had this nasty habit of killing the people who came to collect rent. After several instances of the landlord's servants getting killed, he sent his son thinking that at least they would respect him, but they didn't. They killed him too.
What would make tenants behave this way? They could have just been mean, greedy, and selfish. Or maybe they got comfortable and mistook leasing the vineyard for owning it. Ultimately, they forgot who they were and they forgot who the landlord was.
The meaning of the parable could be easily deduced by its listeners. Scripture they were already familiar with (Isaiah 5) described Israel as the Lord's vineyard, and the history of the prophets fit well into the storyline (prophet after prophet had been killed). Also, Jesus wrapped up the parable by saying, "I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit" (Matthew 21:42). The message could not be more clear--they were the bad tenants. Tragically, the listeners did not take the story to heart. In fact, with no sense of irony they went from listening to the story to discussing how they could arrest Jesus.
Jesus would later say of them, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing" (Matthew 23:37).
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Two Sons
Matthew 21:28-31
The Pharisees had just finished questioning Jesus about where he got his authority from when he told them a parable about two sons. One son told his father that he would work in the vineyard and didn't, while the other son said that he wouldn't work in the vineyard and did. Jesus said to them at the end of the parable, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him" (Matthew 21:31).
The tax collector doesn't initally show up as "most likely to be in the Kingdom". His greedy behavior belies that reality. The prostitute doesn't get many brownie points either. She isn't exactly on the list of "most respectable citizens". But both the tax collector and the prostitute were ahead of the Pharisees in entering the Kingdom.
They were like the son who had told his father that he would not work in the vineyard but did. Their initial lives did not show promise, but they listened to Jesus, and they were open to who he was and willing to folllow him. The Pharisees had been looking pretty good until Jesus showed up. They had been doing all the right things. They were well respected (if not loved) by their community. But they were unwilling to change, unwilling to see that they needed Jesus as well.
I'm closer to a Pharisee than a tax collector. I'm the type of person (I think) that landlords want for renters and people wouldn't mind having as a neighbor. But my respectabliity (read generally responsible behavior) does not preclude me from being a sinner. I still wrestle with a selfish heart. I still need a Savior.
The Pharisees had just finished questioning Jesus about where he got his authority from when he told them a parable about two sons. One son told his father that he would work in the vineyard and didn't, while the other son said that he wouldn't work in the vineyard and did. Jesus said to them at the end of the parable, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him" (Matthew 21:31).
The tax collector doesn't initally show up as "most likely to be in the Kingdom". His greedy behavior belies that reality. The prostitute doesn't get many brownie points either. She isn't exactly on the list of "most respectable citizens". But both the tax collector and the prostitute were ahead of the Pharisees in entering the Kingdom.
They were like the son who had told his father that he would not work in the vineyard but did. Their initial lives did not show promise, but they listened to Jesus, and they were open to who he was and willing to folllow him. The Pharisees had been looking pretty good until Jesus showed up. They had been doing all the right things. They were well respected (if not loved) by their community. But they were unwilling to change, unwilling to see that they needed Jesus as well.
I'm closer to a Pharisee than a tax collector. I'm the type of person (I think) that landlords want for renters and people wouldn't mind having as a neighbor. But my respectabliity (read generally responsible behavior) does not preclude me from being a sinner. I still wrestle with a selfish heart. I still need a Savior.
Monday, May 7, 2012
Prayer
Matthew 21:18-22
The figs leaves withered as soon as Jesus cursed the tree. The disciples wondered how this happened so quickly, and Jesus told them, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer" (Matthew 21:22).
"How vast are the possibilities of prayer! How wide is its reach! What great things are accomplished by this divinely appointed means of grace! It lays its hands on Almighty God and moves Him to do what He would not otherwise do if prayer was not offered. It brings things to pass which would never otherwise occur. The story of prayer is the story of great achievements. Prayer is a wonderful power placed by Almighty God int he hands of His saints, which may be used to accomplish great purposes and to achieve unusual results. Prayer reaches to everything, takes in all things great and small which are promised by God to the children of men. The only limits to prayer the promises of God and his ability to fulfill those promises. "Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it" (Ps.81:10).
E.M.Bounds from A 12-Month Guide to Better Prayer
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Citizens
Matthew 19:13-14
"Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these'" (Matthew 19:14).
The citizens only line at any international airport passport control moves quickly. Immigration officials only ask a few questions of their own citizens. Why should they? The citizens are coming home.
When Jesus rebuked the disciples for sending the children away from him, he did so because "The kingdom of heaven belonged to [children] (Matthew 19:13). Children are the rightful citizens of God's kingdom. They get to stand in the fast line. They get the privileges of belonging to God's kingdom.
I once had an older gentleman in an ESL writing class who was just "a student". He was pleasant, at times funny and other times a little frustrating. One day I learned that he was an important official in his home country's government. I was a little surprised and regretted not treating him with a little more dignity. As a teacher, I never know who is really sitting in my classroom. Children are the same way. Yes, this child is just a child--but do I really know what position she holds in God's kingdom?
"Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these'" (Matthew 19:14).
The citizens only line at any international airport passport control moves quickly. Immigration officials only ask a few questions of their own citizens. Why should they? The citizens are coming home.
When Jesus rebuked the disciples for sending the children away from him, he did so because "The kingdom of heaven belonged to [children] (Matthew 19:13). Children are the rightful citizens of God's kingdom. They get to stand in the fast line. They get the privileges of belonging to God's kingdom.
I once had an older gentleman in an ESL writing class who was just "a student". He was pleasant, at times funny and other times a little frustrating. One day I learned that he was an important official in his home country's government. I was a little surprised and regretted not treating him with a little more dignity. As a teacher, I never know who is really sitting in my classroom. Children are the same way. Yes, this child is just a child--but do I really know what position she holds in God's kingdom?
Friday, May 4, 2012
Something Missing
Matthew 19:16-29
He knew he lacked something, but he didn't know what it was so he came to Jesus, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?" Jesus told him that if he wanted to enter life, he must obey the commandments. The man was curious which commandments so Jesus listed them, "Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 19:19). The rich man must have been checking the commandments off as Jesus spoke. "Yes, I've done that and that and..." But he was curious; he still felt like he lacked something. "All these things I have kept? What do I still lack?" (Matthew 19:21). Jesus responded, "If you want to be perfect, go sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come and follow me" (Matthew 19:21).
Jesus finally answered the ruler's question, and he was not happy with the result. "When the young man heard this he was very sad because he had great wealth" (Matthew 19:22). He knew he was lacking something. He wanted change. No doubt, he wanted depth in his spiritual life, but to get what he wanted was too hard, so he left sad.
Most of us do not fit the exact picture of the ruler. We are not particularly wealthy or even have that much power, but other things come in the way: old grudges, fears, self-dependence, pride, lust.
What do I lack? is a question I want to wrestle with over and over. I want to know what my wealth is. I want to know what holds me back from fully serving God.
He knew he lacked something, but he didn't know what it was so he came to Jesus, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?" Jesus told him that if he wanted to enter life, he must obey the commandments. The man was curious which commandments so Jesus listed them, "Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 19:19). The rich man must have been checking the commandments off as Jesus spoke. "Yes, I've done that and that and..." But he was curious; he still felt like he lacked something. "All these things I have kept? What do I still lack?" (Matthew 19:21). Jesus responded, "If you want to be perfect, go sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come and follow me" (Matthew 19:21).
Jesus finally answered the ruler's question, and he was not happy with the result. "When the young man heard this he was very sad because he had great wealth" (Matthew 19:22). He knew he was lacking something. He wanted change. No doubt, he wanted depth in his spiritual life, but to get what he wanted was too hard, so he left sad.
Most of us do not fit the exact picture of the ruler. We are not particularly wealthy or even have that much power, but other things come in the way: old grudges, fears, self-dependence, pride, lust.
What do I lack? is a question I want to wrestle with over and over. I want to know what my wealth is. I want to know what holds me back from fully serving God.
The Time Before
Matthew 19:1-11
It was not this way from the beginning. It was not I-no-longer-love-you-so-I-must-leave-you. It was not you-don't-make-me-happy-anymore. It was not I-need-something-more. It was a promise. It was security. It was the Creator who "made them male and female" (Matthew 19:4). It was "for this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united with his wife", and it was "the two will become one flesh" (Matthew 19:5). It was love given by a Creator and shaped by two humans. It was the time before sin. It was the time before hard hearts. "Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard" (Matthew 19:8). It was creation and God's first plan. It was "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them....And God saw all that he had made, and it was very good" (Genesis 1:27; 1:31).
It was not this way from the beginning. It was not I-no-longer-love-you-so-I-must-leave-you. It was not you-don't-make-me-happy-anymore. It was not I-need-something-more. It was a promise. It was security. It was the Creator who "made them male and female" (Matthew 19:4). It was "for this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united with his wife", and it was "the two will become one flesh" (Matthew 19:5). It was love given by a Creator and shaped by two humans. It was the time before sin. It was the time before hard hearts. "Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard" (Matthew 19:8). It was creation and God's first plan. It was "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them....And God saw all that he had made, and it was very good" (Genesis 1:27; 1:31).
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