Matthew 22

Read Matthew 22

God is the King over His kingdom, and He intends to have “a wedding feast for His Son.” In the parable that Jesus spoke in the hearing of His adversaries, the guests that were invited “would not come.” They even committed acts of violence against Jehovah's prophets. The Lord would invite others to the celebration, “both bad and good.” All would need the righteous robes of a perfect Redeemer as a “wedding garment.” The key to inclusion was not personal moral excellence but a response to the divine invitation.

Pharisees, Herodians, and Sadducees all proved their unworthiness when they refused to believe in Jesus as the Son of God. Some tried to get Him into trouble with the authorities concerning Roman taxes. Others hoped to embarrass Him as an ignorant rabbi who believed in strange doctrines concerning a future “resurrection” of mankind. Still others hoped to trap Him as a pretender to divinity using the well-known verse from Deuteronomy 6:4 about giving your whole heart to the one true God.

All of their rude plans were overturned by Christ. Whether through the use of Caesar's image on a coin, or by the accurate exposition of important Bible passages from the Law and the Psalms, the Messiah exposed their “malice” and their ignorance until they did not “dare to ask Him any more questions.”

How could these brilliant and accomplished men make such a mistake in their assessment of Jesus? Some had too quickly rejected the truth of the Scriptures and had imagined themselves to be smarter than God. All were lacking a genuine receptivity to the work of the Holy Spirit. They did not yet comprehend the abundant life that God had for all who would trust in the only Redeemer appointed by the Almighty. The “Son of David” was right in front of them, but they could not fathom how this Man was the Son of God and the Lord's Christ.

Prayer from A Book of Prayers

Father, the cross is a glorious story of covenant mercy, but it is also shocking to our sensibilities. You sent Your Son to suffer greatly and to die. Through the shedding of His own blood, He provided for us the spotless garments of righteousness necessary to have peace with You. Men of malice tried to trap the One who came to atone for the ungodly. Others thought that they could make Him look like a fool, but how wrong they were. Jesus is Your wisdom and Your power. We bless Your Name for this Word of life given to us. He loved You with all His heart, soul, mind, and strength; and He loved His neighbor as Himself. Our Redeemer is the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. Thank You for this holy Messiah who is both David’s Son and David’s Lord.