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JESUS THE GREATER SOLOMON
LORD’S DAY, AUGUST 31
Matthew 21:23-32

Proverbs 1:1-23

 

“…I also will ask you one thing…”

 

JESUS THE GREATER SOLOMON
 
Jesus went into the temple. The temple officials took this opportunity to discredit Him. In those days, a licence must be obtained from the Sanhedrin, or some eminent rabbi, before a person could preach or teach. The chief priests, scribes and elders were clearly offended by His previous acts of cleansing the temple, and healing in it. Jesus evidently showed no regard whatsoever for these temple bigwigs. He did as He pleased. As the Lord of the temple, who was to say that He had no right to do what He wanted?
 
Jesus asked them concerning the source of John’s baptism: from heaven, or of men? John’s baptismal ministry was to prepare the nation of Israel for the coming of the Messiah (Matt 3:1-3). When the Messiah eventually arrived, John duly identified Him and pointed his disciples to Him, the Lamb of God and the Son of God, who baptises with the Holy Spirit and with fire (John 1:29-34). The chief priests and scribes were stumped. If they had answered “from heaven,” they deduced that Jesus would have replied why they did not then believe Him. They obviously did not want to give the correct answer, but if they should say “of men,” all the people would stone them, for everyone was convinced that John was God’s prophet indeed. So they said, “No comment”! Jesus likewise answered, “Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.”
 
In the parable of the two sons, Jesus exposed the unbelieving hearts of the Jewish religious leaders. When John came speaking the Word, they appeared to believe, but actually did not. On the other hand, the publicans and sinners eventually believed and got saved. These religious outcasts were like the first son who said no to his father but later repented and obeyed him. The religious leaders were like the second son who said yes but did not do what he said he would. Who performed the will of God the Father? Not the rebellious chief priests and scribes, but the penitent publicans and sinners. Jesus said that it is not the former who will inherit the kingdom but the latter. So the first shall be last, and the last first.
 
THOUGHT: Man can never outsmart nor outwit God.
PRAYER: Father, give me the wisdom that I need to live in this dangerous world.

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