Explore the authority of Christ, the audacity of the Pharisees, and the call for believers to persist in their faith.
Good morning, Church family! I'm feeling particularly moved today as we dive into a powerful passage from the Gospel of Matthew. This passage is like a complex painting, with layers upon layers of deep, spiritual meaning. It speaks about the authority of Christ, the audacity of the Pharisees, and the essential call for us, as believers, to push forward in our faith, no matter the challenges we face.
Before we read the scripture, let's reflect on a quote by Jonathan Edwards. He once said, "The way to Heaven is ascending; we must be content to travel uphill, though it be hard and tiresome, and contrary to the natural bias of our flesh." This quote resonates with our theme today.
Now, let's turn our Bibles to Matthew 21:23-32:
The authority of Christ is a central theme in the Gospel of Matthew, and it is particularly highlighted in the passage we just read. The Pharisees and the elders, the religious leaders of the day, question Jesus about His authority. They want to know who gave Him the right to teach, to heal, and to perform miracles. This is not just a casual inquiry; it's a direct challenge to Jesus' authority. They are essentially asking, "Who do you think you are?"
He doesn’t answer their question directly: Instead, He poses a question of His own about John the Baptist. This is not a diversion; it's a strategic move. Jesus knows that the religious leaders cannot answer His question without incriminating themselves. If they say that John's baptism was from heaven, they would be admitting that they were wrong for not believing in him. If they say it was from men, they would face the wrath of the people who held John as a prophet.
The divine authority of Christ: He doesn't need to justify Himself or His actions to anyone. His authority is inherent, not bestowed by human institutions or religious leaders. It comes from God Himself. Jesus, as the Son of God, has the ultimate authority over all creation. He has the power to heal the sick, to forgive sins, and to offer eternal life. His authority is absolute and unquestionable.
Difficult to understand: The Pharisees and the elders, despite their religious knowledge and positions of power, could not grasp this. They were blinded by their pride and their rigid adherence to religious traditions. They failed to recognize the authority of Christ because they were looking for it in the wrong places. They were expecting a political messiah, a warrior king who would overthrow the Roman oppressors. But Jesus came as a humble servant, a suffering savior. His authority was not of this world, but of the heavenly realm.
A reminder for us today: We live in a world that often values power, prestige, and popularity. We tend to equate authority with worldly success and visible achievements. But the authority of Christ challenges these worldly standards. It calls us to a different kind of authority, one that is rooted in humility, service, and sacrificial love.
Empowers us as believers: Through His death and resurrection, Jesus has given us the authority to become children of God. We are no longer slaves to sin, but we are free to live a life of righteousness. We have the authority to pray in Jesus' name, to proclaim the gospel, and to stand against the powers of darkness.
An active authority: It requires us to step out in faith, take risks, and confront the challenges that come our way. It's not about asserting our own will, but about submitting to God's will. It's about recognizing that our strength comes from God, not from ourselves.
A practical reality that should shape our daily lives: It should influence our decisions, our relationships, and our actions. It should inspire us to live with courage, conviction, and compassion.
The Pharisees' question, while seemingly simple, is loaded with implications and reveals much about the Pharisees' mindset and their understanding of Jesus' ministry ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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