Woe #6: Don't just look beautiful

Jesus warns against looking good, but being dead and filthy.

Matthew 23:27-28 ²⁷ "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which on the outside look beautiful, but inside they are full of the bones of the dead and of all kinds of filth. ²⁸ So you also on the outside look righteous to others, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

These religious people were great at being religious.  They studied and memorized scripture.  They followed their religious rules without fail.  They evangelized and did good deeds.  They appeared to be beautiful monuments - like tombs cleaned up and whitewashed before the Passover Celebration, but inside they were dead and source of disease to others.

Even with all their rule following, Jesus calls them "lawless."

Do we ignore Jesus' warning not to put on a good appearance when inside we are dead and disease ridden?

If following Jesus is not about following all the trappings of religion - then what is it about? Jesus describes it here as having clean hearts. But how are our hearts transformed from death and filth to beauty?  The Pharisees were "good" people - I can guarantee we probably aren't as "good".  And all their trying added up to nothing but death and filth.  I'd be getting ahead of the gospel, but Jesus has a plan for transforming our hearts...

Woe #5: The heart is what matters.

Jesus teaches that it isn't our outsides (what rules we keep - what theology we believe - what good works we do) that make us clean (right with God).  It is what is inside of us - our hearts - that must be cleaned before any of the rest matters.

Matthew 23:25-26 ²⁵ "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. ²⁶ You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup, so that the outside also may become clean.
I believe this is what Christians struggle with most.  It looks different in every culture and every decade, but it is the same problem when you boil it all down.  Most claiming to be followers of Christ are very much like the Pharisees - preoccupied with religion and how it can be used to control God.  They believed that if they followed the right rules, did the right good deeds, believed the right theology, then God would be forced to bless them. And they were better at religion than any other people have ever been.  But it wasn't good enough.  Jesus says that their hearts were greedy and self-indulgent.  This is pretty much the state of many Christian lives today.  There's a huge interest in getting a ticket to heaven, but not many are very concerned with letting go of greed and self-indulgence so that we can follow Jesus.  In fact, most would like to know the minimum required so they can get on with living their lives their own way. We miss that following Jesus is about giving up ourselves and being a servant.

It is so easy to come up with a list of rules of rules to follow, a stated theology to force everyone to agree with, and even a list of good deeds to do.  But Jesus says none of these things matter if our hearts aren't clean. 

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that it is what is in our hearts that matter - not so much all the religious stuff?  And what's your plan for cleaning your heart?  I'd be getting ahead of the gospel... but Jesus has a plan.  And he is leading his followers to the place where they will be made clean...

Woe #4: Prioritize things that matter most

Jesus warns his follower's to discern what is important (practicing justice, mercy, and faithfulness) over what is not as important (tithing insignificant items). 

Matthew 23:23-24 ²³ "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint, dill, and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. It is these you ought to have practiced without neglecting the others. ²⁴ You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel!

The point of tithing mint, dill, and cummin was to provide the priests and the poor with the abundance of God.  While it is good for the priests and the poor to have mint, dill, and cummin (herbs used for flavoring and medicine), they aren't absolutely essential to their well being.  Even their medicinal value was for comfort not life saving measures.  The point is that Jesus doesn't want the Pharisees to feel good about tithing these insignificant things while failing to live lives that seek justice, mercy, and faith (better translated faithfulness).

"How is God calling me to practice justice*, mercy, and faithfulness in my life today?" 

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching to prioritize things that matter most:  Justice, Mercy, and Faithfulness?

* One interesting thing about justice... it has many meanings: being fair, addressing wrongs that have been committed, living in a way that does not take advantage of others,  rescuing those who are disadvantaged, etc.  It is closely tied to living in right relationships.  Proverbs 2 says that it is only through our knowledge of God's character that we can know how to live justly in every situation.  It says we have to actively seek God in order to understand justice. 

Woe #3: Don't make false promises

Jesus teaches us that our words - especially promises and commitments - are to always be trustworthy.

Matthew 23:16-22 ¹⁶ "Woe to you, blind guides, who say, 'Whoever swears by the sanctuary is bound by nothing, but whoever swears by the gold of the sanctuary is bound by the oath.' ¹⁷ You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the sanctuary that has made the gold sacred? ¹⁸ And you say, 'Whoever swears by the altar is bound by nothing, but whoever swears by the gift that is on the altar is bound by the oath.' ¹⁹ How blind you are! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred? ²⁰ So whoever swears by the altar, swears by it and by everything on it; ²¹ and whoever swears by the sanctuary, swears by it and by the one who dwells in it; ²² and whoever swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by the one who is seated upon it.

The Jewish leaders had come up with a complex scheme of which promises were binding and which were not. This was convenient if you didn't really want to make a promise.  You'd just swear on something that wasn't binding and then when you didn't keep your promise, no harm done!  But this wasn't to be the way Jesus' followers lived...

Matthew 5:33-37 ³³ "Again, you have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, 'You shall not swear falsely, but carry out the vows you have made to the Lord.' ³⁴ But I say to you, Do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, ³⁵ or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. ³⁶ And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. ³⁷ Let your word be 'Yes, Yes' or 'No, No'; anything more than this comes from the evil one.

Jesus' followers were to have no need to take special oaths, because they always kept their word.  Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that his follower's words are always trustworthy?

Woe #2: Rule following - not Christ following - creates Children of Hell

Jesus warns the religious people of his day about preaching the wrong message.

Matthew 23:15 ¹⁵ Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cross sea and land to make a single convert, and you make the new convert twice as much a child of hell as yourselves.
The scribes and Pharisees that Jesus was talking to were dedicated, hardworking evangelists.  But what were they evangelizing?  What was their message?  Pharisee-ism was a message of rule following - not Christ following.  And those who substitute a list of rules for a relationship with Christ, well,  Jesus calls them children of hell.  And he says their converts are even more so.

Again, this message applies as much to those claiming to be the church today as it did to the religious people then.  What rules do we insist must be followed before we can share Jesus' message?  Do we preach a list of rules (or even a list of good works) instead of Jesus' message?

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that preaching "rule following" instead of "Christ following" creates children of hell?

Woe #1: Don't put up roadblocks

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching not put up roadblocks? 

Matthew 23:13 ¹³ "But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you lock people out of the kingdom of heaven. For you do not go in yourselves, and when others are going in, you stop them.

These religious leaders were not embracing Jesus as the Messiah - therefore they were not "going in themselves."  And not only were they not part of the Messiah's community, but they were keeping others from following the Messiah too. 


This is the beginning of seven woes or warnings that Jesus gives the religious community who claimed to worship God.  These woes still relate strongly to those claiming to be the church today.  We claim to be the community of God (just as the scribes and Pharisees claimed).  But are our churches the community of the Messiah?  Have we embraced Jesus' teachings?  Jesus said that outsiders would know us by our love for each other.  And that all would have an open invitation to join us.  Does this sound like your church?


Are our churches based on Jesus' teachings or do they reflect something completely different?  Do outsiders know us by our love for each other?  By our servant's hearts?  Are we the community of God?  If not, we are certainly putting up road blocks to others finding Jesus. 

Have we embraced the Messiah or are we ignoring Jesus' teaching not to put up roadblocks?

The humble will be exalted.

Jesus teaches that the humble will be exalted.  And those that exalt themselves will be humbled.

Matthew 23:11-12 ¹¹ The greatest among you will be your servant. ¹² All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted.

BUT what is humility?  It is one of those words that has different meanings in our culture from what it means in these verses.  Being humble isn't looking down upon yourself - believing you are worthless, or that others are better than you, or that others deserve more than you.  And it certainly isn't being or acting like you are shy.  It isn't pretending that you are something you aren't.


We can look to Jesus' example and see that humility has to do with service. Jesus' humility was not holding back waiting for someone better or more qualified to come along, it wasn't groveling, it wasn't going along with other's ideas denying the things he knew to be truth, it wasn't denying his authority... but his humility came out of knowing who he was (one with the highest God given authority) and then willingly giving himself for others:

Matthew 20:26-28 ²⁶ ...Whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, ²⁷ and whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave; ²⁸ just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many."

For us, humility is knowing who we are in Christ - dearly beloved brothers and sisters each with talents and skills given by and to be used for God.  We are each valuable.  Knowing this truth - believing it about ourselves -  is the first step in humility!  The second step is then using these skills not for ourselves, but for the well being of others.

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that humility - knowing who we are and willingly giving ourselves for others - is what following Jesus requires of us?

We are all students with one father and one instructor

Jesus teaches that we are all students with one instructor (the Messiah) and one father (God).  God desires a direct relationship with each of us... where he teaches us as the ultimate instructor and nurtures us as the ultimate father.  

I think the difficulty is two fold. 

First, we so often don't want this relationship... it is time consuming to be available to God for nurture and instruction.  When was the last time you sat and listened for God to speak?  We'd rather be spoon fed by someone else who has boiled down all this God-business into a list of rules to follow or a theology to espouse.  But God wants a relationship directly with us. 

Secondly, it is hard to buck the cultural norms.  If we don't agree with the best teachers, don't follow our genetic father's faith, we tend to be unwelcomed or worse - put out or ostracized.  But once again Jesus tears down the cultural norms... telling the esteemed instructors and powerful genetic fathers that they do not hold the keys to knowing God.  But that God interfaces directly with individuals.



Matthew 23:1-12 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, ² "The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat; ³ therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practice what they teach...  ⁶ They love...  to have people call them rabbi. ⁸ But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all students. ⁹ And call no one your father on earth, for you have one Father-- the one in heaven. ¹⁰ Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Messiah. ¹¹ The greatest among you will be your servant. ¹² All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that we are all students with one father and one instructor?  Do we own our relationship with God or do we rely on someone else - a teacher, preacher, or parent - to be the go between? 

Do good things but with a servant's attitude

Jesus teaches that we should do good things - but with a servant's attitude - not so that we can be seen and appreciated by others.

Matthew 23:1-12 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, ² "The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat; ³ therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practice what they teach. ⁴ They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on the shoulders of others; but they themselves are unwilling to lift a finger to move them. ⁵ They do all their deeds to be seen by others; for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long. ⁶ They love to have the place of honor at banquets and the best seats in the synagogues, ⁷ and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have people call them rabbi. ⁸ But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all students. ⁹ And call no one your father on earth, for you have one Father-- the one in heaven. ¹⁰ Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Messiah. ¹¹ The greatest among you will be your servant. ¹² All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted.

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching to do good things with a servant's attitude - not so that we will get noticed and praised?  How does this apply to our jobs?  our businesses?  our relationships? sports?  How do we teach our children to be servants seeking to be the hands and feet of Jesus rather than being the greatest?

Carry other's burdens

Jesus teaches that in the Messiah's community, we carry other's burdens. 

Matthew 23:1-12 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, ² "The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat; ³ therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practice what they teach. ⁴ They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on the shoulders of others; but they themselves are unwilling to lift a finger to move them. ⁵ They do all their deeds to be seen by others; for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long. ⁶ They love to have the place of honor at banquets and the best seats in the synagogues, ⁷ and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have people call them rabbi. ⁸ But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all students. ⁹ And call no one your father on earth, for you have one Father-- the one in heaven. ¹⁰ Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Messiah. ¹¹ The greatest among you will be your servant. ¹² All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted.

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that in his community we carry other's burdens?  What would it look like to teach our children to carry another's burden?  How about in sports or scholastic competitions?  What would it look like if our businesses carried the burden of its competitors?  How about in politics?  In public policy?  What if love meant carrying the burdens of our enemies? Absurd?  Absolutely.  But Jesus instructs his followers to participating in a kingdom that looks pretty absurd to the world.  Are we willing to follow him or is he just too absurd?

Theology matches Behavior

Jesus teaches that in his community, theology matches behavior - a servant's behavior.

Matthew 23:1-12 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, ² "The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat; ³ therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practice what they teach. ⁴ They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on the shoulders of others; but they themselves are unwilling to lift a finger to move them. ⁵ They do all their deeds to be seen by others; for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long. ⁶ They love to have the place of honor at banquets and the best seats in the synagogues, ⁷ and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have people call them rabbi. ⁸ But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all students. ⁹ And call no one your father on earth, for you have one Father-- the one in heaven. ¹⁰ Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Messiah. ¹¹ The greatest among you will be your servant. ¹² All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted.

Most of us live like the Pharisees lived... we go through life claiming to follow God, but not even remotely doing it.  We fool ourselves into thinking we are right with God.  But we don't consider that following Jesus means that we willingly and actively carry other's burdens; we do good without seeking an award for it; we don't seek honor for ourselves; but serve others; we listen to how God is speaking to others instead of having all the answers ourselves; we prioritize our relationship with God above even family.  Following Jesus means putting other's well being ahead of our own.  This isn't the Jesus most of us have signed up to follow - is it?  Where's the benefit?

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that our theology should match our behavior - a servant's behavior? 

Human and Divine

Jesus claims a dual paternity:  he is both human and divine.

Jesus has claimed earlier in Matthew to be the Messiah that was predicted in the Old Testament.  One of the identifying markers of the Messiah was that he would come from the lineage of King David.  Jesus' family line - through both his mother and Joseph - were well documented back to King David and his lineage was never disputed even by the Jewish authorities. 

But many of the 1st century Jews were mistaken in thinking that the Messiah, would be an ordinary human who would overthrow the Roman government and give the Jews back their land.  But here, Jesus points out that the Messiah is not an ordinary human being.  The Messiah has a strange dual paternity that the Spirit had revealed to King David centuries earlier.  King David writes that the Messiah is both a descendant of King David and King David's Lord (someone King David submitted to).  Jesus' question is "How is this possible?"  A father does not submit to his son.  Nor does a dead man submit to anyone - unless that someone is God.

Matthew 22:41-46 ⁴¹ Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them this question: ⁴² "What do you think of the Messiah? Whose son is he?" They said to him, "The son of David." ^{43 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.

Jesus wants the Pharisees to take their version of the Messiah out of the box they have placed him in and see the truth.  Jesus' claims to be the Messiah and his audacity to call God, "Father" are legitimate.  He wants them to pick up on this.

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that he was both human and divine?  How does this teaching change the way we live?  How does it change our desire to follow Jesus?  He is either crazy or he was who he said he was.

Love God and Others: Action or Feeling?

Jesus teaches us the greatest commandments:  Love God and others.

Matthew 22:34-40 ³⁴ When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, ³⁵ and one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. ³⁶ "Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?" ³⁷ He said to him, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' ³⁸ This is the greatest and first commandment. ³⁹ And a second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'  ⁴⁰ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."
But when does this commandment really apply to us? 

Do we love God even when God's plans are different from our plans?  When God allows us or those we love to go through grief or pain or hardship?  Are we committed to God only for what God can do for us?  Or are we on board with God's purposes and plans for us?  Even the tough ones?  Jesus says to love God with all we are... our heart, our soul, our mind.  Loving God means we have given up ourselves for God!

Does loving others apply when "others" aren't our political persuasion?  Or when they are in authority over us?  Or when they aren't loveable?  What about when "others" hurt us?  What about in times of war - our enemies - do we have to love them?  How far does this love go?  Jesus says to love others as ourselves.  Loving others means we go all out for the other!

But is love just a feeling or is it an action word?  Can I love someone who is being bullied and not protect them?  Can I love someone who is going down the wrong path and not tell them?  Can I love Jesus and not follow him even to the difficult places?

These verses have been taught with all kinds of qualifications attached.  But Jesus didn't attach any.  Love is not something easy or natural.  And if it is just a feeling, it is worthless.  Love is an action word.

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that our top priority is to love God and others?  Do we understand love as Jesus did or do we water it down to fit our own agendas?1 John 3:14-18¹⁴ We know that we have passed from death to life because we love one another. Whoever does not love abides in death. ¹⁵ All who hate a brother or sister are murderers, and you know that murderers do not have eternal life abiding in them. ¹⁶ We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us-- and we ought to lay down our lives for one another. ¹⁷ How does God's love abide in anyone who has the world's goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help? ¹⁸ Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action.

Life after death

Jesus teaches several things about death... there is a resurrection of the dead, marriage is not part of the next life, and (although not exactly about death) angels exist.

If you think of the Sadducees as a Jewish denomination, they were the denomination that believed both the soul and the body died when the body died.  They also denied the existence of angels.  The "denomination" dissolved early in the first century.

Matthew 22:23-33 ²³ The same day some Sadducees came to him, saying there is no resurrection; and they asked him a question, saying, ²⁴ "Teacher, Moses said, 'If a man dies childless, his brother shall marry the widow, and raise up children for his brother.' ²⁵ Now there were seven brothers among us; the first married, and died childless, leaving the widow to his brother. ²⁶ The second did the same, so also the third, down to the seventh. ²⁷ Last of all, the woman herself died. ²⁸ In the resurrection, then, whose wife of the seven will she be? For all of them had married her." ²⁹ Jesus answered them, "You are wrong, because you know neither the scriptures nor the power of God. ³⁰ For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. ³¹ And as for the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was said to you by God, ³² 'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? He is God not of the dead, but of the living." ³³ And when the crowd heard it, they were astounded at his teaching.

Do we ignore Jesus' teachings about death?  How does what we believe about death affect how we live?

Answers found in scripture and the power of God

Jesus teaches us to find answers in scripture and in the power of God

Jewish "denominations" in Jesus' time believed different things about death.  Some believed that the soul did not die with the body, but would be resurrected.  Others believed that death was really the end of both the soul and the body.  Some believed in angels and some didn't.  In the text today, it seems someone very crafty wants to use these theological disagreements to further raise the tension surrounding Jesus' teachings.

Matthew 22:23-33 ²³ The same day some Sadducees came to him, saying there is no resurrection; and they asked him a question, saying, ²⁴ "Teacher, Moses said, 'If a man dies childless, his brother shall marry the widow, and raise up children for his brother.' ²⁵ Now there were seven brothers among us; the first married, and died childless, leaving the widow to his brother. ²⁶ The second did the same, so also the third, down to the seventh. ²⁷ Last of all, the woman herself died. ²⁸ In the resurrection, then, whose wife of the seven will she be? For all of them had married her." ²⁹ Jesus answered them, "You are wrong, because you know neither the scriptures nor the power of God. ³⁰ For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. ³¹ And as for the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was said to you by God, ³² 'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? He is God not of the dead, but of the living." ³³ And when the crowd heard it, they were astounded at his teaching.

Jesus points them to scripture and to the power of God for the answers to their questions.  Apparently had they understood scripture to be an authoritative witness and God's power to be unlimited, they wouldn't have been confused. But they were using their own logic to reason what God might be like.

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that an understanding of scripture and trust in the power of God gives us answers we can not gain through rational thought?

Pay taxes and tithe

Jesus teaches that the Messiah's community gives to God and pays taxes.

Matthew 22:15-22 ¹⁵ Then the Pharisees went and plotted to entrap Jesus in what he said. ¹⁶ So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality. ¹⁷ Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?" ¹⁸ But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, "Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites? ¹⁹ Show me the coin used for the tax." And they brought him a denarius. ²⁰ Then he said to them, "Whose head is this, and whose title?" ²¹ 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." ²² When they heard this, they were amazed; and they left him and went away.

What Jesus says here is not just about paying taxes.  It is a statement about the Messiah's purpose on earth.  The Romans have control over the Jews and demand taxes from them.  Of course, they'd rather not pay them.  And in the Jewish mind, when the Messiah arrived, they won't have to pay taxes to the Romans any more, because the Messiah will free them from Roman rule.  But Jesus teaches something different - overthrowing Roman rule is not why he came to earth at that time.  AND that those in his community both pay taxes and give to God.

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that he wasn't about over throwing the government (at least not until the cosmic end arrives)?  Instead his community pays taxes and tithes.

Many are called, few are chosen.

Jesus teaches that many are called to his community, but few are chosen.

The simpleton's moral for this story could be summed up by saying, "When you get an inviation to the King's son's wedding, then attend it wearing the appropriately respectful clothes."  Why wouldn't you?  It's the ultimate cosmic party with great food.  You don't want to miss it.

But the people invited to the wedding react in several ways:

• Some (maybe most of us) "make light of the invitation" refusing to reconginize the significance of the invitation and go back to taking care of our personal business.  We have no idea that we are being invited to play a role in a cosmic feast that will change the history of mankind.  And our reply is "Thanks.  I am just not that interested.  Just not that committed to the King.  Got better things to do."
• Some behave even worse.  They kill the messengers sent to invite them!  See, the messengers didn't just drop off the invitation.   This time, they were there to make sure those invited understood the choices they were making.  And those on the invite list didn't want to hear that they were making a mistake choosing the mundane activities of the world over the King's feast.  Better to kill the messengers rather than have them call us out.

So what happens next makes this story much more complicated.  The king takes revenge on those who have killed his messengers and then he sends new messengers to invite anyone they can find to the wedding...

Matthew 22:1-14 Once more Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying: ² "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. ³ He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding banquet, but they would not come. ⁴ Again he sent other slaves, saying, 'Tell those who have been invited: Look, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready; come to the wedding banquet.' ⁵ But they made light of it and went away, one to his farm, another to his business, ⁶ while the rest seized his slaves, mistreated them, and killed them. ⁷ The king was enraged. He sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. ⁸ Then he said to his slaves, 'The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. ⁹ Go therefore into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.' ¹⁰ Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both good and bad; so the wedding hall was filled with guests. ¹¹ "But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing a wedding robe, ¹² and he said to him, 'Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding robe?' And he was speechless. ¹³ Then the king said to the attendants, 'Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' ¹⁴ For many are called, but few are chosen."

When the king shows up for the wedding feast, at least one of the guests is not dressed appropriately.  The man doesn't have on a wedding robe.  Not being dressed appropriately is a sign of disrespect - a sign that he is there, but not really part of the kingdom.  This guest came, but his dress shows that his heart is not in the right place.  He isn't really committed to being part of the feast.  So the king - after giving him a chance to explain - binds him and throws him out. 

The moral of the story is that many are invited to the feast, but few are chosen.  The chosen are those who show up in wedding robes.  I believe there is a distinct difference in those who believe and those who have faith.  Those who believe show up for the wedding - they believe that the King, the Son, and the wedding exists so they come.  But those who have faith - they are committed to wearing the wedding robes.  They have chosen not just to show up, but they are committed to the King's invitation and their heart is in it.  The Kingdom of God is not about getting an invitation to the party and showing up, it is about showing up wearing the robe.

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that many are called, but few are chosen?

Messiah's Kingdom belongs to those who produce fruit.

Jesus teaches that his kingdom will be taken from those who do not produce fruit and given to those who do.

Matthew 21:33-46   33 "Listen to another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a watchtower. Then he leased it to tenants and went to another country.  34 When the harvest time had come, he sent his slaves to the tenants to collect his produce.  35 But the tenants seized his slaves and beat one, killed another, and stoned another.  36 Again he sent other slaves, more than the first; and they treated them in the same way.  37 Finally he sent his son to them, saying, 'They will respect my son.'  38 But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, 'This is the heir; come, let us kill him and get his inheritance.'  39 So they seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him.  40 Now when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?"  41 They said to him, "He will put those wretches to a miserable death, and lease the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the harvest time."  42 Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the scriptures: 'The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord's doing, and it is amazing in our eyes'?  43 Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that produces the fruits of the kingdom.  44 The one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and it will crush anyone on whom it falls."  45 When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they realized that he was speaking about them.  46 They wanted to arrest him, but they feared the crowds, because they regarded him as a prophet.

I like that Jesus' parable is not directed at an individual.  It is directed at the community who claims to be the people of God.  In that moment, Jesus was pointing out that the Jewish community had been living in the abundance that God had given them.  In doing so, they were to produce fruit.  In other scripture, we see that they were primarily to be a welcoming presence of God's love to the world.  But instead they closed themselves off from the world refusing to produce fruit for God and instead hoarding God's abundance for themselves.  When God sent prophets to show them the error of their ways, they killed them.  Now God has sent his son... and they are about to kill him too.

But these are not words that no longer apply to us today.  Today, these words of Jesus speak to the church.  Do the individuals in your church work together to produce fruit for God?  Many churches treat God the way these tenants treated the landowner.  Churches are willing to accept what God gives them whether it be eternal life or earthly abundance... but they don't realize accepting God's gifts is not what following Jesus is all about.  Following Jesus means we produce fruit for God. If the church is not producing fruit, its fate is pretty clear... God will entrust his kingdom to others who will.

Do we ignore how important it is for the body of Christ to produce fruit?

Religious say yes to God with words, but no with actions

Jesus teaches that the religious often say "yes" to God with their words, but "no" with their actions.

Matthew 21:28-32 ²⁸ "What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work in the vineyard today.' ²⁹ He answered, 'I will not'; but later he changed his mind and went. ³⁰ The father went to the second and said the same; and he answered, 'I go, sir'; but he did not go. ³¹ Which of the two did the will of his father?" They said, "The first." Jesus said to them, "Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you. ³² For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him.
"Religious" people - especially religious leaders - often say yes to God with their words, but no with their actions.  This is because it is very difficult for those entrenched in religion - those committed to the institution - to see that their lives might be out of step with Jesus.  Leading the institution is different from giving up everything to be in relationship (to follow) Jesus.  Leading the institution can become a full time task that derails us from being a servant in Jesus' community.  This is especially true for the leaders of religion whose personal power is strong only when the institution is strong.  But it is true of anyone who worships the institution rather than God.

And it is as true for the 1st century Jews as it is for the church today.  After all, Jesus never defined "church" as an institution, but instead as his body - his hands and feet.  This makes it very difficult for those in love with the institution to be both part of the institution and in a relationship with God - a relationship that is defined by servanthood not power.   These religious Jewish leaders said "yes" to God with their mouths, but "no" with their lives.  Sure, they were following all the right rules, believing all the right theology ("even after you saw it"), but they hadn't decided to follow Jesus.  The cost was too high.

On the other hand, tax collectors (Jews who were taking Jewish money and giving it to the Roman oppressors) and prostitutes don't have as much to lose.  Their lives are pretty unhappy already.  Society treated them like outcasts.  They weren't welcomed except by those who wanted to use them. Being invited into the Messiah's community - where they are forgiven, loved, and valued -  is a giant step up.   Jesus says they are the ones that originally said no with their lives, but now they have changed their minds.  And he welcomes them into his community.

Do we ignore Jesus' warning that religion often says "yes" to God with words, but "no" with actions?  How can we guard our hearts from following religion instead of Jesus?

Leaders and Truth don't depend on popular opinion

Jesus teaches that leaders and truth don't depend on popular opinion.

Matthew 21:23-27 ²³ When he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, "By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?" ²⁴ Jesus said to them, "I will also ask you one question; if you tell me the answer, then I will also tell you by what authority I do these things. ²⁵ Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?" And they argued with one another, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will say to us, 'Why then did you not believe him?' ²⁶ But if we say, 'Of human origin,' we are afraid of the crowd; for all regard John as a prophet." ²⁷ So they answered Jesus, "We do not know." And he said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

This is not just a story about Jesus answering the chief priests carefully so that he can survive a while longer without being crucified.  Instead, Jesus is pointing out something very important to the priests.  They can't answer Jesus' question, because they are too worried about being popular!  Instead of teaching the crowd, they are worried about their own skin.  Leaders can't do this and still be leaders.  They can keep their jobs, they can keep those they are leading happy, but they aren't leaders.  "Let me see where my people are going so that I can lead them" isn't a leadership strategy.  At least not in the kingdom of God.

These priests had refused to accept John's teachings which identified Jesus as the Messiah.  They didn't accept it because it upset their power base.  And now they are refusing to accept what Jesus had to say about himself (that he was equal to God) just days before.  They are refusing to accept it, not because of theological reasons, but because they thought that they would have to share or maybe even give up their powerful positions.

Jesus is driving home the same point he has driven home over and over in Matthew's gospel... the Kingdom of God (the truth of God - the gospel) is only understood as we become less and allow God to become more. We can't see the truth as long as it has to benefit us in order to believe it.  We can't see the truth if we require that the truth makes us powerful, happy, or wealthy.

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that neither leadership nor the truth depends on popular opinion?

Jesus doesn't tolerate fruitlessness

Jesus demonstrates his disgust with fruitlessness

There are people who pretend to be followers of Jesus.  In fact, they gather together and call themselves "church." It says so in the newspaper ads they run on special occasions and on the sign out front.  But being a church means that they follow Jesus' teachings, produce good works in the community, and seek out new followers.  Outsiders recognize them as Jesus' friends because there is such love between them... and they extend that love to outsiders.  They put the things of Jesus first. 

Now picture Jesus walking up to the front doors of one of these kinds of churches - expecting to find a community of followers - and instead he sees the trappings of religion (stain glass windows, hymnals, the baptismal font, the communion table, the church van, the bulletin), BUT no fruit. 

Matthew 21:18-19 ¹⁸ In the morning, when he returned to the city, he was hungry. ¹⁹ And seeing a fig tree by the side of the road, he went to it and found nothing at all on it but leaves. Then he said to it, "May no fruit ever come from you again!" And the fig tree withered at once.

A fig tree - no matter how beautiful and lush its leaves are - without figs, it is pretty worthless.  Jesus curses it - and it withers and dies.

Do we ignore Jesus' demonstration that he doesn't tolerate fruitlessness?  How can we, as individuals and as the church, produce the fruit we have been created to produce?

You will receive what you ask for in prayer with faith.

Jesus teaches that whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive.

Matthew 21:18-22 ¹⁸ In the morning, when he returned to the city, he was hungry. ¹⁹ And seeing a fig tree by the side of the road, he went to it and found nothing at all on it but leaves. Then he said to it, "May no fruit ever come from you again!" And the fig tree withered at once. ²⁰ When the disciples saw it, they were amazed, saying, "How did the fig tree wither at once?" ²¹ Jesus answered them, "Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only will you do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, 'Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,' it will be done. ²² Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive."
This is one of those passages that I struggle with. Such passages have been used to prey on those in desperate need. I remember that my grandfather sent money to a prominent televangelist who in turned promised prayers would be offered that would heal him of a disease - a disease that eventually killed him. Such passages have also been used abusively to tell those whose prayer requests were not answered as requested that they didn't have enough faith. Neither of these scenarios work!!

Yet, I believe Jesus' words:  "Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith you will receive."  But the statement does raise the question, how do we ask "in prayer with faith?" 

• What is faith?  It isn't just believing that God exists or even that God has the power to do what we ask.  The words "faith" and "belief" are often interchanged in Bible translations and I think that is a mistake.  They aren't the same.  Faith goes way beyond belief.  Faith is putting our trust in God that what God does and wants is holy and good.  It is a commitment to follow anywhere God leads.  It is far more than just saying "yeah, I believe."
• What is faithful prayer?  Faithful prayer is more than just shouting out our needs to God - that is what infants do when they have a need.  Faithful prayer is an interactive relationship with God - that grows deeper and deeper as we desire it.  It is a commitment to follow God even when his plans are different from ours.  It is not like the relationship between an infant and its mother.  Instead, it is often described in scripture as the relationship between a wife and a husband where they constantly walk together seeking the best for the other.

So how do we ask in faithful prayer?  We need to be in a committed interactive relationship with God seeking God - God's way, God's desires, God's plan.  And that means we don 't use prayer and belief as a magic formulas to get what we want - it wouldn't work anyway.  Instead, we are committed to following God even when God leads us into painful places - even when God says no to our plans.  And in doing so, we discern what God wants and ask for it as agents of God... as loving, devoted wives would ask on behalf of their husbands.

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that we will receive what we ask for in faithful prayer?  Or are our prayers more like infants crying out to their parent demanding that their needs be met?

Jesus claims equality with God

Jesus accepts for himself praise prepared by God for God.

Matthew 21:14-17 14 The blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he cured them. 15 But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the amazing things that he did, and heard the children crying out in the temple, "Hosanna to the Son of David," they became angry 16 and said to him, "Do you hear what these are saying?" Jesus said to them, "Yes; have you never read, 'Out of the mouths of infants and nursing babies you have prepared praise for yourself'?" 17 He left them, went out of the city to Bethany, and spent the night there.

Jesus admits his divinity quoting scripture that identifies himself, not only as the Messiah (Son of David), but also as God. He accepts the praise he is receiving from the children – praise created by God for God - as valid and right placed.  He claims equality with God.

Do we ignore Jesus’ teaching that praise prepared for God by God is rightly given to himself?  It is so much more politically correct just to think of Jesus as a great teacher.  But this isn't what he claimed for himself.  He claimed to be God.  He accepted praise for himself that was created for God by God. Jesus was either nuts or he was God. I don’t see a middle ground if I am going to follow him.

Jesus created conflict

At the right time, Jesus creates conflict.

Matthew 21:14-17 14 The blind and the lame came to Jesus in the temple, and he cured them. 15 But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the amazing things that he did, and heard the children crying out in the temple, "Hosanna to the Son of David," they became angry 16 and said to him, "Do you hear what these are saying?" Jesus said to them, "Yes; have you never read, 'Out of the mouths of infants and nursing babies you have prepared praise for yourself'?" 17 He left them, went out of the city to Bethany, and spent the night there.

Jesus chose to show up at the temple this day. He chose to buck the religious teachings of the day and welcome the handicapped into the temple and to respond to them by healing them. And he chose to do it publicly. Many times in the past, Jesus healed and then sent those he healed away with instructions not to tell anyone. But now Jesus has chosen to go fully public.  His ministry has survived long enough to prepare his disciples and the world for his crucifixion and resurrection.  His death is approaching so Jesus throws caution to the wind and intentionally creates conflict with those in charge.

He creates a situation where the religious leaders' personal power is being threatened.   This is dangerous. It gets you killed!  Jesus is no longer allowing those in power to sit on the sidelines and complain - Jesus engages them. He goes into the temple and bucks their rules.  And THEN he accepts for himself the praise created for God.  In essence, he claims to be God and worthy of the praise offered to God. 

Jesus intentionally creates conflict in order to proclaim his Messiahship.  The religious authorities must accept it or reject it.  The conflict Jesus creates makes clear the choice before the authorities. 

Do we ignore Jesus' example that creating conflict in God's way and in God's timing is appropriate? When is it okay for us to challenge cultural, religious, and political powers? I believe Jesus creates conflict in this situation because he wants there to be no mistake of who he claims to be. He wants to register who he is with the authorities.  He wants them to know beyond doubt that he claims to be the Messiah - and that the praise due God is also due him. He wants the conflict that is coming to be straight forward - not hidden by lies and innuendo.

The conflict that would end Jesus’ human life - that would forever change the destiny of us all - is in full force!

Do we ignore Jesus’ example that creating conflict may be appropriate and necessary?  Are we willing to participate in conflict or do we run for cover?  Does the conflict we create reflect Jesus' goals or do we use conflict for our own gain? When is creating conflict appropriate and when is it not?

Welcome those with handicaps in Messiah's community

Jesus’ community welcomes those with handicaps.

Matthew 21:14-17 14 The blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he cured them. 15 But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the amazing things that he did, and heard the children crying out in the temple, "Hosanna to the Son of David," they became angry 16 and said to him, "Do you hear what these are saying?" Jesus said to them, "Yes; have you never read, 'Out of the mouths of infants and nursing babies you have prepared praise for yourself'?" 17 He left them, went out of the city to Bethany, and spent the night there.

What Jesus is doing in the temple is radical. Those with handicaps were excluded from the temple by most rabbis. In addition, many rabbis taught that anyone with a handicap was not only excluded from the temple, but from any fellowship with the congregation. But here Jesus is... not only allowing those with handicaps in the temple, but he is showing them great love and compassion by healing them too! He is making a statement that not only are the handicapped welcomed into the temple, but that he personally has the compassion and desire to heal them.

Do we ignore Jesus’ example that handicapped people are to be welcomed in the Messiah’s community? What do our churches do to welcome and accommodate those with special needs? What are we doing in our personal lives to show the kind of compassion and desire that Jesus showed?  How do we offer healing and fellowship to those with special needs?

Messiah's community is not to be a nationalistic stronghold

Jesus teaches that his community is not to be a nationalistic stronghold.

Jesus had a problem with what was going on in the place of worship.  Instead of being a place of prayer (a place set aside for being in relationship with God), it was a den of robbers...

Matthew 21:12-13 ¹² Then Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who were selling and buying in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. ¹³ He said to them, "It is written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer'; but you are making it a den of robbers."

It was permitted under Jewish law to sell provisions in this area of the temple that were necessary for sacrifices in the temple.  Those coming from long distances did not have to bring their sacrifice with them, but could buy them when they got there.  And monetary giving had to be done with Jewish coins, hence, the money changers.  The problem was not that doves were being sold or that money was being exchange in the temple. The problem was that this service offered to the people coming to worship had become "a den of robbers."  Maybe this service should have been non-profit and instead had become big business.  Maybe the prices were so steep that the poor were being kept from participating in worship. I believe this was part of the problem.  However... there is more to this story!

When you translate the word "robber" the way it is normally translated in Greek literature there is an added depth to this story.  For instance in Matt 27:16 this word translated "robber" means "nationalistic rebel" as it refers to Barabbas - the one who the Romans pardoned at the Jew's request in exchange for Jesus' crucifixion.  In other words, Jesus is saying, "My house shall be called a house of prayer'; but you are making it a den of nationalistic rebels." In the book of Mark, Mark records even more of Jesus' words: "My house shall be a house of prayer for all nations; but you are making it a den of nationalistic rebels." The Jews, like the follower of Jesus, had been given the mission to be a witness of the living God to all nations. They were to invite all nations into their community to worship God with them, but they didn't do it! Instead the temple had become a rallying place where the Jews segregated themselves from other nations.  They were not fulfilling the mission God had given them.

Has the church become a rallying place for nationalistic rebels?  Or is it a house of prayer for all nations?  Do we exclude the poor by making the church a place they can not afford to come to?  Do we invite others to join us in worshiping God or do we segregate ourselves?  Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that his community is to be a place of prayer where all people are welcome not a place of nationalism?

Notes for further thought:  At Jesus' trial, the Romans are going to set Jesus free, but are afraid it will cause an uprising among the Jews.  So they offer the Jews a choice:  Set Barabbas free or Jesus.  Barabbas is a nationalistic hero who has participated in the Jewish insurrection and is accused of murdering those against his cause.  Of course, Jesus is the opposite.  Jesus was not supporting their nationalistic agenda.  The Messiah was supposed to do that - at least in their view.  They thought that the Messiah was all about putting their family back in power and wealth.  And they reasoned that Jesus could not be the Messiah because he is not blessing them the way they'd hoped by supporting their nationalistic/family agenda. This brings into strong focus the choice before the Jews then and us today.  Will we use our "religion" to support a nationalistic/family agenda of "God bless America" or will we use our "relationship with God" to support the Messiah's agenda which is one of inclusion, peace, and servant hood?

The Messiah's kingship is founded on humility and peace

Jesus demonstrates what his kingship is all about:  a peaceful entry on a humble colt.

Jesus doesn't enter Jerusalem, the hubbub of Jewish religious power and Roman occupation as one would expect the Messiah-King to enter.  Not on a mighty horse dressed in armor with fury or anger.  He doesn't threaten war... he doesn't beat those into submission who disagree with his teachings and way of life... he doesn't demand that the religious powers bow down to him or that the Romans hand over the keys to Jerusalem to him.  Instead he enters peacefully and humbly.  Who is this guy?

Matthew 21:1-11 When they had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, "Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, just say this, 'The Lord needs them.' And he will send them immediately. " 4 This took place to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet, saying, 5 "Tell the daughter of Zion, Look, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey." 6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; 7 they brought the donkey and the colt, and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting, "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!" 10 When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, "Who is this?" 11 The crowds were saying, "This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee."

A large crowd has gathered.  They want the long ago prophesied Messiah-King to come and reclaim their land and power from Rome.  They want him to throw the Gentiles out of their city and lives.  They want to go back to being family - God's family, of course.  All signs - the miracles Jesus does - indicate that he is the Messiah. All the prophecies are lining up too.  So they give him a king's entrance paving his path with their clothes and palm branches.   They yell out "Hosanna" which means "Savior."  But wait - what kind of savior arrives like this?  Peacefully.  Humbly.  One who will be tortured and killed.  One who will expand their family beyond themselves... one that will welcome those not family members into God's family.  But this is not what they want!  The Messiah was to give them back their power, land, and wealth.  And in a few days, when it become obvious that he will not do this, these same people will be the ones yelling "Crucify Him!"

Do we ignore that Jesus' Messiah-Kingship is founded on humility and peace?  Do we live out our lives in humility and peace?  Or do we attack?  When those not following Jesus picture ''a follower of Jesus" in their mind's eye, do they envision people following a peaceful man on a donkey?  Or do they picture people standing with posters that demand their own well being screaming at those who disagree with them? 

Who was this guy?  And are we following him or not?

Don't assume to know the solution to other's needs.

Jesus gives us an example:  "Don't assume to know what others need". 

I am touched by these two blind men who have created a community of two.  Together they sit by the road - no doubt begging.  Their families aren't taking care of them.  The crowd wants them to be quiet.  They are social rejects - their handicaps are embarrassments - even a sign of sin in that culture.  There are no resources to help them - so they beg together. 

I am also saddened by this large crowd who is "following Jesus."  Physically they are following him.  But spiritually, like most of us, they hardly get who Jesus is and what following him means.  In fact, the crowd thinks they are doing Jesus a service by telling the men to be quiet! 

Matthew 20:29-34 29 As they were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed Jesus. 30 There were two blind men sitting by the roadside. When they heard that Jesus was passing by, they shouted, "Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!" 31 The crowd sternly ordered them to be quiet; but they shouted even more loudly, "Have mercy on us, Lord, Son of David!" 32 Jesus stood still and called them, saying, "What do you want me to do for you?" 33 They said to him, "Lord, let our eyes be opened." 34 Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes. Immediately they regained their sight and followed him.

No doubt that Jesus knows what the needs of these men are better than they do!  But he doesn't just fix their problem.  He asks what they need - what they want him to do.  This is significant!  It shows respect for these men.  And it shows us an example.  Jesus demonstrates a desire to walk alongside them rather than assuming we know what is best for them. 

Remember those missionaries - those "followers of Jesus" - who went to Haiti after the disaster there to confiscate children and take them out of the country where they would put them up for adoption?  Apparently the government of Haiti didn't want these "followers of Jesus" to take their children.  The "followers of Jesus" offered "help" that wasn't wanted.  Jesus didn't do this.  He asked.

The crowd "following Jesus" passing by these two men has assumed they know what is best - and that is for these two men to be quiet.  But Jesus shows the men respect and asks, "How can I help?"  When we encounter people with needs (and aren't all of us needy in some way?), do we ask what the other needs from us or do we assume we know and force on them our solutions?

Do we ignore the respect Jesus shows to those in need?  If we followed Jesus' example, how would we approach society's problems?  How would we approach the needs of our friends and loved ones?

The goal is to serve - not to be served

Jesus teaches that those who are greatest in his community are the ones who serve others, not the ones who are served by others.  In the midst of hearing Jesus say he is the Messiah, this mother and her sons are thinking about how to use the situation to their advantage to get power and status.  They are ignoring that Jesus said he is also about to be executed.  Instead, they have heard Jesus say to ask for whatever you want and it will be granted.  And this is what they want... to be powerful in the Messiah's community...

Matthew 20:20-28 20 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to him with her sons, and kneeling before him, she asked a favor of him. 21 And he said to her, "What do you want?" She said to him, "Declare that these two sons of mine will sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom." 22 But Jesus answered, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?" They said to him, "We are able." 23 He said to them, "You will indeed drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left, this is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father." 24 When the ten heard it, they were angry with the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them to him and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. 26 It will not be so among you; but whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave; 28 just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many."

What these three don't understand is that those who are closest to Jesus are not those who the world gives power to... not the ones voted into office... not the rock stars or the football heroes... not the ones most admired.  The ones who sit closest to Jesus are the ones who have a servant's heart.  The kind of heart that will endure the worst persecution in Jesus' name.  The institutional structures of the world (including politics, government, and even the church) are nothing like the power structures in the Messiah's community.  The greatest in the Messiah's community are the ones who willing accept the role of slave... the ones willing to give up their lives for others. 

Jesus declares here again, that he will die and that his life will be given as a ransom for many.  This is the ultimate example of how we are to live. 

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that as his followers, our goal is to be like slaves?  How can we be slaves to each other?  to our enemies?  to those we don't like?  to those who don't treat us well?  Having a servant's heart furthers the Kingdom of God.  Demanding our own preferences and well being harms the Kingdom of God.

Jesus taught he was the Messiah

Jesus taught that he was the Messiah.  Jesus' teachings not only serve to teach us how to follow him, but he also taught us why it mattered.  It mattered because he was the Son of Man, the Messiah, the one sent to reveal God to us.  He was the one predicted - God's plan of reconciliation.  He was God.  AND he knew what was coming... a trial, a death sentence, torture, rejection, and death.  He still went through with it.  Because he knows this isn't the end of the story.  Three days later he would be raised from the dead.  And in his resurrection - our reconciliation - our relationship with God is made possible.

Matthew 20:17-19 17 While Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside by themselves, and said to them on the way, 18 "See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death; 19 then they will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified; and on the third day he will be raised."

Do we ignore who Jesus claimed to be?  Do we prefer to think of him as just a wise man and group him with all the other wise men?  But how can someone be wise if they are deluded into thinking they are someone they are not?  How can someone be wise if they dare to delude others into worshiping them?  Especially if they are teaching that they are the Son of Man (God incarnate)?  What does it matter if a crazy man gives us advice on living or on dying?  It only makes sense to follow Jesus if one believes he was who he said he was! 

I believe Jesus was who he said he was - not because I witnessed the story unfold first hand, but because I witness the Spirit of Jesus alive in my life every day.  And I witness the Spirit alive in others who are struggling to follow Jesus.  We are not perfect, we do not follow him gracefully, we do not understand all there is to know, we screw up in the worst of ways, we fail terribly, but the Spirit of God is present overcoming, transforming, making purpose out of chaos.   Jesus was the Son of Man and his teachings are truth.

God is not fair

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that in his community, God does not give us what we earn? 

How can society exist where the hardest working people don't get the biggest pay off?  Would you want to live in such a community where you work 8 hours and get paid the same as someone who only works 1 hour? This just isn't fair.  Right?  Well... such is the community of God...

Matthew 19:30 - 20:16 30 But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.  "For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 After agreeing with the laborers for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 When he went out about nine o'clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace; 4 and he said to them, 'You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.' So they went. 5 When he went out again about noon and about three o'clock, he did the same. 6 And about five o'clock he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, 'Why are you standing here idle all day?' 7 They said to him, 'Because no one has hired us.' He said to them, 'You also go into the vineyard.' 8 When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, 'Call the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.' 9 When those hired about five o'clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage. 10 Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage. 11 And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, 12 saying, 'These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.' 13 But he replied to one of them, 'Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? 14 Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. 15 Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?' 16 So the last will be first, and the first will be last."

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that God is not fair - that God does not give us what we deserve - that God is generous?  Do we ignore Jesus' warning that God is going to be generous to those who show up last?  Are we okay with that?  How does this affect how we live?  Should we be more generous to the newcomer in our church community than the old timer who has worked hard and earned their place in our community?