This chapter begins with a parable that might easily be projected onto the people of Israel in generations past, and the current generation Jesus is speaking to. It is easy to see how they had refused God's invitation, killed the prophets and followed their own desires instead of fellowshipping with God. Where do you stand friend? Where am I turning away from God and following after my own agenda instead of accepting with joy the invitation given. Don't hide behind self righteousness and indignation. Look in the mirror and repent!
The Pharisee's hate Jesus response and so they continue to plot to ensnare him. They send disciples to question Jesus (don't miss the fact that every ideology has disciples, in fact you are discipled to some ideology right now!) regarding payment of taxes. I love the way Jesus goes deeper and deeper with the Pharisees. His answer cuts to matters of the heart, "Show me the coin used for the tax." And they brought him a denarius. Then he said to them, "Whose head is this, and whose title?" They answered, "The emperor's." Then he said to them, "Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor's, and to God the things that are God's." Matthew 22:19-21 NRSV.
The Pharisee's pose three questions in a row here; the question of taxes, the question of marriage and divorce, and now a question about the law. Jesus calls them and us the greatest commandment, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." Matthew 22:37-40 NRSV. Love is the fulfillment of the law!
When the Pharisees are hovering about Jesus turns the game on them and asks them a theologically perplexing question that would stop some in our churches today. The question Jesus poses to the Pharisees speaks to Jesus' sovereignty. Jesus asked, "What do you think of the Messiah? Whose son is he?" They said to him, "The son of David." 43 He said to them, "How is it then that David by the Spirit calls him Lord, saying, 44 'The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet"'? 45 If David thus calls him Lord, how can he be his son?" 46 No one was able to give him an answer, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions." Matthew 22:42-46 NRSV. Game set and match - the Pharisees take their ball and go home. The word game theological wrangling technique did not bare fruit, next comes the cross.
About Me
- Pastor Bill
- I am a committed follower of Jesus Christ, a happy husband, father and grandfather!
2 comments:
This version of the parable of the wedding banquet has such a harsher edge than Luke's account. Hmm...
Jesus seems increasingly frustrated here. Hard to tell, of course, with translation and time, but his responses seem more clipped and direct than ever. Who can blame him?
The wedding feast is really interesting - I read in the comments at the bottom of the bible page that the "clothes" worn to the banquet were given by the host, and it was very rude to show up without wearing them. This helped me make sense of the words, because it seemed like if the peolpe were coming off the street, they'd have trouble finding a suit and tie - I guess the giving of clothes would explain that!
The explaination of the feast being like the kingdom of heaven is truely interesting - it makes me imagine how God feels - preparing the best meal/celebration for us in Heaven, but we're all so focused on our lives that we won't be ready when he is...that's scary!
The transition to taxes is interesting, because he makes the point that the things here should be given here - money of the king to the king and such...so that would imply that we don't have to focus so much on earning it!
How deeply do they really have to think to come up with a question about seven brothers and divorce? They must have been up all night thinking about that one - just goes to show how hard it is to trick our Lord.
I love God saying that Love is the greatest commandment. Love is a great thing, and it's what Jesus focuses on. What could be better?
Then he goes and confuses the people even more to finally get them to calm down about the questions...Good job JC.
How crazy those people must have been. They'll probably regret saying all those things when he raises from the dead!!
ttys,
Marsh
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