http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Matthew+21%3A23-32
Jesus biggest problem was not with the sinners, unbelievers and the outcasts but with the good temple going folks mainly the religious establishment. Jesus’ biggest opposition came from the religious leaders-the clergy of his day and those who had power and authority over religious matters. Things have not changed over two thousand years. Religion gets in the way of the good news of God’s love for all people. Some of the most meanest, controlling and manipulative people have claimed to be religious from the pastor down to the most self-proclaimed holiest of member. There are many pastors and religious people who like to control and abuse many people. God help us all.
The background of today’s narrative is what happens when his followers take Jesus seriously. Just like Jesus they become a threat to religious establishments, they shake up traditions that are not biblical or helpful and challenge the authority of those who are in control of those religious institutions. The religious leaders of Jesus day were ignoring the Jewish Law and the words of the Hebrew prophets to follow the way of justice and mercy. To help the widows, orphans, poor, foreigners and not to be in bed with the State (Rome). The lame, the blind, deaf, mute and women were forbidden to full temple access and women and children were looked upon as mere property. Gentiles were known as dogs.
However, before we point the finger to the particular Jewish establishment of Jesus day it would be wise to look at our churches and see how we treat and welcome others.
In the chapters before, Jesus turned the merchant tables over in the temple with a whip of cords declaring that God’s house should be a house of prayer and not one where you had to pay for your salvation and then he healed the blind and the lame and we come to today’s lesson where the religious leaders are trying to trap Jesus with a question. This all happens in the court of the gentiles where the people are. Jesus comes to the people. They do not have to go into the holy of holies to meet God. God comes to them and this threatens those in position of leadership! God comes to the outsiders-the Gentiles, sinners, tax collectors, and prostitutes! Who does Jesus think he is? They try to trap him with a question of where his authority comes from so they can charge him with blasphemy of claiming to have God on his side. What does Jesus do?
Jesus throws those self-righteous pompous religious leaders a fastball with one question. He mentions John the Baptist! All the people considered John a prophet sent by God. He says what authority was John’s baptism? Was it from heaven(from God) or not? They all criticized John and were not baptized by him but he baptized the outcasts, sinners, tax collectors and prostitutes. They were trapped because if they say God then they would be asked why didn’t you believe and if they said it was not of God then the people would rise up against them. They pleaded ignorance because John was a prophet sent by God and Jesus was more than a prophet sent by God. The God-man in flesh-Jesus the Lord and savior of the world was in their community and they rejected him.
Jesus then tells the parable of the two sons in the vineyard to drive home his point. One son when asked to work in the vineyard said No I won’t. He was very rebellious and stubborn but later he changed his mind. The Greek word is Metanoia where we get the word repent or to turn around, turn back from where you are going. The other son was very agreeable and seemed to be faithful and declared Yes I’ll go but he didn’t go. Jesus asked which of the two did the father’s will and the answer was obvious. The first!
Remember Matthew was a tax collector. The Jews hated tax collectors because they were considered traitors to their race, employed by Rome and were known to pocket a lot of the money for themselves. Tax collectors were in the same league as gentiles, sinners, and prostitutes. John the Baptist followers included these outcasts. They got baptized, turn from their ways and followed God. Matthew the tax collector like all of the disciples left everything and followed Jesus. They are like the first son.
The religious leaders claimed to be living in obedience to God. They wanted to be known as respectable and religious to all but they did not follow God, they scoffed at John the Baptist and did not get baptized and they did not follow Jesus. They are the second son. Jesus ate with the sinners because they know they need God but those who cling to their religious authority and self-righteousness are blind.
My question is which son or daughter are you? If you are the first then look to the cross where Christ has given his all for you(he lived, died and rose for you), welcome to God’s kingdom! If you are the second one I pray that your eyes will be open and you look only to the Son who will set you free. Amen.
