Matthew 22
Bible Passage: Matthew 22
What have we gathered about Jesus so far while reading the gospel books? I will use 3 questions to summarise today’s sharing:
What Have We Learnt About Jesus’ Authority?
In his days, Jesus performed miracles that amazed people. He walked on the sea, calmed the storm, healed the chronically sick and even made the dead come alive again.
We listen as He conversed with the Pharisees, Sadducees, scribes, and His own disciples. He travelled long distances, His cause always close to His heart. At times, He used analogies and parables, and He spoke only the truth. His wisdom was evident (Matt 22:18, 21-22, 32-33), and he had a humble and firm manner about Him (Matt 22:18, 29). He assured His followers of a lasting peace in their hearts (John 14:27) and promised them abundant joy (John 15:11).
Where did His authority – conveyed evidently through His speech and actions (Matt 22:46) – come from?
Jesus was not trying to outperform anyone else in His time by performing these miracles. His purpose was to let us know that life and death are in His hands. He can heal all sicknesses, He can restore life! Also, the natural elements like the wind and the waves are under His control because He is the almighty and sovereign God.
Outwit, Outplay, Outlast?
The reality tv series Survivor’s mantra is “Outwit, outplay, outlast”. While it provides popular entertainment and shows the endurance of men when put in physically and mentally tough circumstances, the true colours and ill-nature of the contestants is evidently seen while they try to “outwit, outplay and outlast” the others to win the prize money.
For us today, society inevitably pits us with our counterparts in school, at work, even in our social circles. Many amongst us learn to outtalk, outperform, outwork, outsmart, outthink, outsell, outdo others. All these in the hope of appearing better than others.
Some bullies are born in the process.
There are some who talk a lot, or louder than others, but they may not necessarily be speaking the truth.
If we are still holding on to the “outwit, outdo, outsmart” mentality, let us take time to reflect and change our mindsets, for it does not give glory to God in any way, instead glorifies ourselves.
Afterall, are we not on the same boat as brothers and sisters, working out our salvation together?
What If He Is On Our Side?
In the musical ‘The Lion King’, there was a scene where Timon the meerkat and Pumbaa the warthog spotted Simba the lion cub lying alone and sleeping in the forest. One enthusiastically wanted to wake him up and befriend him. The other protested as he was afraid that the lion might wake up and have them for lunch.
Then one of them reasoned, “But what if he’s on our side?”
Do we have God on our side today? Are we doing things and saying things befitting of His grace and support? Would God endorse the things we are doing right this moment?
Think about the great wonders God can do. What if He is on our side?
If only we have a little faith, He can cure our illnesses, comfort the depressed, defend His children.
The questions directed at Jesus were pointed, laden with ill-intent and mockery. Yet Jesus patiently answered them, teaching them the truth. Today when we share God’s words with our friends, if there is just one willing listener, we must continue to extend the truth to him/her. There are others who may jeer at our attempts, or litter unkind words, but we need to move on and ask God to give us strength to continue.
If God is on our side, what is there to be afraid of?
So now, we need to work harder for God to be on our side 🙂
2 Comments
YK
2 points caught my attention after reading Matthew chapter 22.
1. The wedding banquet for the heavenly king. (Matt 22:1-14)
Many of us would have planned our wedding banquet at least a year before the actual date. That to-do list include the wedding gown, the makeup, the wedding photo, the banquet venue, guests list, menu etc.
But how do we prepare ourselves for our wedding with heavenly king ?
Have we prepared our white wedding gown ? Are we choosing the material for the gown or still flipping thru magazine to find the design ? or we dont even bother about it ?
Are we anticipate our LORD’s 2nd coming with great joy like a bride waiting for her groom on wedding day ?
Please remember, many are invited but few are chosen (verse 14)
2. The greatest commandment. (Mat 22:37)
Love our God with all our heart, soul & mind. But Jesus mention 2nd commandment – Love your neighbour as yourself. Again Jesus stress the LOVE word. God loves us that He gave His only Son to us. And He only asks for us to love Him back with all our heart, soul & mind.
Love our neighbour ? Are we ready to offer help to a stranger ? At least we try not to judge others by appearance or they background. It’s hard. Human are selfish. I admit I often have this bias judgement in my head. But we all need to try to be “friendly” & compassion for others.
Dear brethen, don’t stop trying. God will know.
PS
The exchange between Lord Jesus and the Sadducees in Matthew 22:23-32 brings to mind Lord Jesus’ reply to Nicodemus in John 3:11-13:
“Most assuredly, I say to you. We speak what we know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness. If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man, who is in heaven.”
i have never noticed that the “We” and “Our” start with capital letter, ie Lord Jesus was referring to God and Himself rather than He and His disciples when He said those words.
It was recorded that Lord Jesus silenced the Sadducees with His reply. (Matthew 22:34)
But did any of the Sadducees accept His words and come to believe like Nicodemus? (John 19:39)
“But concerning resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God, saying, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’?”
“God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.”
Do we truly hear the testimony of God?
“I am the God of the living.”
“…today you will be with Me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43)