MATTHEW 22 WHAT THINK YE OF CHRIST? In my journey with Jesus, it was impressed on me that even though the cross was just there before Him, He faithfully focused His attention on lost souls. The priests, Pharisees and Sadducees all came to find fault, but with wisdom, grace and honesty, He spoke with them. They were lost souls. Again, He explained the kingdom of heaven and what it was like. Even before the work of Calvary, He sent servants to call those privileged people to enter the kingdom. Thirty years of living among them and over three years of public teaching - still they doubted Him and would not enter the kingdom. Then in the same parable, He sent others, those who were called after Calvary to call them but they would not come. People like Stephen, Paul and others who called people to enter were killed and driven away. Finally, Rome sent Titus and Jerusalem was burned in AD 70. The call is going on today out on the highways of the world for people to come and enter the kingdom of heaven.
There are those all over the world that seem to be responding to the invitation. But there is a mixture. Some are bad and others are good. That is a reference to the fact that some who claim to be in the kingdom of heaven are not real. They say they are ready for heaven but have never been born again. They are not saved. They want to come on their own terms and clothe themselves in their own righteousness. Some will claim to be saved by God's grace and their own good works and law keeping. Others say they do the best they can and go to church. But without the garment of salvation and being clothed with the righteousness of Christ alone, they are going to be lost forever. It should stir our hearts to reach people with God's truth but also to be sure the message of salvation is presented clearly so the listeners know what is truly needed to enter the kingdom of heaven.
I noticed the Pharisees left His presence and gathered among themselves to plan a way to make the teaching of the Lord seem inconsistent to both the religious people and the political leaders of the day. They sent a group composed of both religious representatives and secular representatives. The flattering words of introduction were not lost to the Lord Jesus who knew their motivation and their own nature. In a very simple statement, He exposed their hypocrisy and plainly said that we are obligated to both the rulers of the world and to the God of heaven. It is not a matter of those in the kingdom of heaven being immune to, or above, the laws of the nation where we live. "The powers that be are ordained of God."
At the same time when we are in God's kingdom, we are to live by the moral and spiritual standards God expects of His own children, no matter what the laws of men allow. Anyone who abides by the expectations of kingdom living, will easily meet the requirements of a legitimate government. When the Lord asked them for a coin, they showed that by using the currency of Rome they were submitting themselves to Roman rule. He, on the other hand, did not acknowledge Roman rule over His authority. Our allegiance is to the Lord Jesus Christ as the King Supreme. Even when paying our taxes, we need to remember where our ultimate allegiance lies.
A third time on the same day another group came to the Lord seeking to entangle Him in some way by their deceptive means. The Sadducees came with a foolish question, but the Lord didn't call them hypocrites like He did the Pharisees. Perhaps they had sincere doubts about their rejection of anything supernatural. They had seen the miracles of the Lord and had heard His teaching so it could be they were questioning their own doctrine. The Lord gave them a very dignified one sentence answer to their question after stating their ignorance of the scripture. He also gave then a clear explanation of God who is the source of all power and life, and is the God of living people in the future. He corrected their false teaching in this simple statement that was given in a very inoffensive way. There is no difficulty about the resurrection when we think rightly about God.
Immediately the Pharisees had an expert in the law ask what principle makes any one commandment greater than others. The Pharisees had made hundreds of laws of their own and to them some were more important than others. The Lord Jesus answered them without directing them to any one law, by taking them to the ultimate principle of the law which is love. This first is to love God supremely and from that come all the others including the second one that was stated. These two make all other laws have a reason behind them - love for God first, and love for others second.
Now the silent Sadducees and the lawyer who disappeared opened the way for the Lord to get right to the point. They had been wanting answers. Now the Lord Jesus asked them a question. The first question, "What think ye of Christ?" had only one answer. The prophecy was plain - David's son would be the Christ. So the Lord quoted David's psalm and answered His second question, "Whose son is he?" How could one's Lord be one's son? Their silence revealed their misconception of the Messiah. They expected their Messiah to lead an army to free the Jews. Now they are told plainly they didn't know the Christ because He is much more than David's seed. He is David's Lord and we know His kingdom is eternal. When we understand that, there is no difficulty in knowing about those who have died. The resurrection of Christ takes care of that problem and makes clear the fact that His kingdom is established forever. The Lord Jesus Christ is supreme and His lordship will never come to an end. So, the question, "What think ye of Christ?" is answered for them and for us. He is the King Eternal. He is the Supreme Lord of the universe. His dominion is forever. We who know Him and love Him are in that eternal kingdom because He is our Savior and our Lord.
Who is the One who prepared the feast - Whose invitation went out in the past? The greatest of all kings is treated as least - Those who refuse His invitation are forever lost.
Who is this King who gave instructions to them To pay their taxes to a lesser king? His authority extends over all nations and men - And His glories make all the courts of heaven ring.
Who is the Teacher who takes the time To answer a foolish question wisely? His teaching was enforced by many signs - And His answers were always timely.
Who is this Judge who defines the whole law Within a single sentence or two? His judgments are not based on what people saw - But He judges what is within one and is true.
Who is this Messiah, the answer to men's hope Who walked here in true humility? He is the Lord over every nation's throne - Who will put all enemies someday at His feet!
Who is this One I call my Savior and Lord? He is the Almighty Son of God! When He speaks, I will obey His Word; And in worship, His name and honor will laud.
"Father in heaven, I seek to honor the Lord Jesus Christ here this morning as I consider Him. I think of Christ as my Savior. I want to honor Him as my Lord and my God. I love Him who loved me and gave Himself for me. I want my worship and praise to be acceptable and real to Thee. In His holy name, Amen."