Tell City Nazarene Church's Biblical Journey
With Pastor Charles Areson
Today's reading is Matthew 21-24
Chapter 21 begins what is called the passion week in Christendom. It begins with Jesus entering into Jerusalem hailed by many who have come to the feast as the Messiah. The leaders and rulers who live comfortably where they are at are concerned and see Jesus as a danger. He is dangerous because the proclamation of a king will bring down the armies of Rome and, to make matters worse, Jesus is pointing out their hypocrisy.
In an attempt to discredit him they ask him to say who has given him authority. He returns the question asking by what authority John the Baptist did the works he did (23-27). They didn't believe or follow John but know that the people think of John the Baptist as a prophet so say they don't know. In response, Jesus refuses to answer either. What gets me here is the similarity between people in power then as today. People saying one thing in front of one group and doing another thing behind their back. Condemning people who have done the same thing they did but always trying to save face in front of the people.
It's no wonder Jesus said that we should let our yeses to be yes and our nos to be no. He didn't want us to act the way it had always been done. He wanted better for us. He wanted us to be better.
Chapter 21 begins what is called the passion week in Christendom. It begins with Jesus entering into Jerusalem hailed by many who have come to the feast as the Messiah. The leaders and rulers who live comfortably where they are at are concerned and see Jesus as a danger. He is dangerous because the proclamation of a king will bring down the armies of Rome and, to make matters worse, Jesus is pointing out their hypocrisy.
In an attempt to discredit him they ask him to say who has given him authority. He returns the question asking by what authority John the Baptist did the works he did (23-27). They didn't believe or follow John but know that the people think of John the Baptist as a prophet so say they don't know. In response, Jesus refuses to answer either. What gets me here is the similarity between people in power then as today. People saying one thing in front of one group and doing another thing behind their back. Condemning people who have done the same thing they did but always trying to save face in front of the people.
It's no wonder Jesus said that we should let our yeses to be yes and our nos to be no. He didn't want us to act the way it had always been done. He wanted better for us. He wanted us to be better.
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