Matthew 21:24-27..Working

Matthew 21:24-27..Working

21:24 Jesus replied, “I will also ask you one question.  If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. (Expresses a common style of debate Rabbis would use in countering a question with a question.) 25 John’s baptism—(ministry) where did it come from? Was it from heaven, (God) or from men?“(human-based. Expresses Jesus’ wisdom in turning the tables on them, putting them in a similar predicament.) They discussed it among themselves (i.e. Huddled and debated among themselves, seeking a way out of their dilemma.) and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven’, (God) he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ (Accept John’s testimony that Jesus was the Messiah.) 26  But if we say, ‘From men’—(human-based) we are afraid of the people, (Fearing a mob riot, or the people would stone them to death.-{Luke 20:6}) for they all hold that John was a prophet.” 27 So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.” (Expresses a cop-out, pled the 5th. They saw the pickle they were in, any answer they gave they would be incriminating and indicting themselves. That if they accepted John’s work as Divine they would have to accept Jesus as the Messiah.) Then he said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things. (No that Jesus didn’t know or was being evasive. But rather if they’re not going to be honest, why should He  tell them what they already knew, but were unwilling to admit! By not responding Jesus indirectly displayed His divine authority that as the Son of God they had no business questioning Him.)

Continued From Book

“Warns how often times we miss Jesus’ challenge and only think about how we can maintain our status and reputation” ⇒ Many will remain natural so as not to alienate themselves from others or put themselves in an unfavorable position with the majority. We need to take a hard look at how we respond to those that God brings into our lives for reproof and correction. Do we respond favorably when a brother or sister confronts us about a certain sin or an area of weakness. Or when we read something in scripture that exposes an area that’s not right. Do we stuff our fingers in our ears and turn our heads?

“Teaches how some are more concerned with public opinion than with seeking the truth.” ⇒ Are you allowing fear and the opinions of others to silence your witness? What’s driving your choices and activities, is it the desire for popularity and the approval of people? Are you more worrier about the rejection of people that it paralyzes you in standing up for God and what is right. If not careful we can relinquish our Christian principals at the altar of public pressure and popular opinion and shipwreck our faith. Do you fear your identification with Jesus and His values will cause you to lose friends or lock you out of certain social groups. Or will you continue to do what God wants whether you have the approval of people or not. If someone today put you on the spot by asking “Do you love Jesus”? Will you answer yes, or will you say “I don’t know” or something else in order not to appear weak and needy. Many Christians will manage their answers so as not to offend. They will tiptoe around issues like transgenderism or homosexuality because they’re afraid of losing friends and followers on social media. Or they fear it might make them look like an intolerant person, or at worst a bigot. For some the cost in identifying with Christ and His values is way too much, its a price they’re not willing to pay. What excuses have you used for not sharing your faith? “I’m afraid of rejection.” “I don’t like the hard questions.” “My life doesn’t’ match my message.” “Christianity s a stigma.” “I don’t want to be made fun of.” “I’ll might get pushback.”

“Teaches when handling antagonist it’s better to move on than waste time with those who have already made up their minds.” ⇒ Those who have already made up their minds and think they know what is right will not be open to truth. Those who have drawn their own conclusion will not be open to discussion, they’re going to believe what they’re going to believe and that’s all that’s to it. You would think that Jesus would try to convert them. If your starting a new religion the most important thing you would think you would want to do is to earn the endorsement and sponsorship of the religious people around you.

“Warns against the type of willful ignorance that refuses to acknowledge despite all the evidence.” ⇒ It’s a sinful heart that refuses to acknowledge, not the lack of information. Rejection comes from an act of the will, not a lack of knowledge.  Everyone who has ever denied Christ did so not because of a lack of information or evidence. They did so knowingly by using all sorts of excuse they could come up with. They’ll say “I think the church is full of hypocrites”. Or “I don’t like organized religion.” Or “I love Jesus, I just hate His followers.” Or “It will cost me too much, I’ll lose all my friends.” Or “If God will just make it more clear for me then I’ll believe.”  It’s a great danger in letting your preconceived notions keep you out of heaven.

“Even today, for many the real issue is not external or the lack of evidence. But rather it’s the internal issue of the heart that does not want to submit. That if we take the claims of Christ to its logical conclusion that means things are going to have to change and were going to have to kneel to the Lordship of Christ and we don’t want to do that.” ⇒  It’s not as if there’s not enough evidence. But rather the truth jams you in a corner you don’t want to be in. Were all for Jesus as Savior, but Jesus as Lord, well that’s another  thing all together. The acknowledgment of Jesus’ Lordship is in opposition to our own sinful desires. It’s been said the Gospel first offends us with the extent of our sinfulness, before it relieves us of God’s grace.

Additional Notes & Applications

Warns against thinking it’s O.K. to make no choice and straddle the fence. We think that if we don’t make a choice we won’t be affected by the things that happen around us. When people approach you and ask you as a Christian what’s your take on gender, abortion, same sex marriages, or some other sensitive subject. Do you try to avoid it by saying “I don’t know what to say about that”, thinking it’s better to remain neutral than face a confrontation. Or will you will stand up for God, speaking truth, telling them what God’s Word says. Wil you align yourself with God’s truth and live out your faith boldly and effectively in a world that often questions and challenges you. Will you stay true God in your daily life and interactions with others regardless of the consequences and oppositions you may face?

Teaches we can either stay true to God and His ways, or allow the fear of offending others silence us.

Teaches rather than fold have the courage in staying true to your convictions.

Teaches how the Lord often exposes our folly and catches in the web of our own deceitfulness, not for the purpose of shaming us. But that we may repent and come to a Saving acknowledge of Christ.

Warns against finding acceptance in the good graces of others if it comes at the expense of missing the grace of God all together.

Displays how often times we can say more by saying less.

Teaches how some people, rather than operate on the principle of honesty and integrity, they’ll  do what is safe and politically correct.

Warns rather than take the cowardly way out in trying to play it safe, have the courage to face the truth no matter how uncomfortable it is!

Calls for receiving God’s revelation and truth no matter how it comes or how it shows up. You can’t choose which parts of God’s word are authoritative and which parts are not. When you pick and chose which parts of the bible you will follow and which ones you won’t, what your really saying is I’m in charge, that I’m  authoritative not God.

We find the same principle at work. We cannot learn new truth if we are unwilling to obey what God has already told us. If you want answers, deal rightly with the truth that the Lord has already revealed!