Royal Arrival

Matthew 21:1-11

Jesus’ approach to Jerusalem isn’t what one would expect from royalty. The enthusiastic, adoring crowds, yes! But donkey riding?

This unorthodox royal arrival should have alerted people to the fact they weren’t going to get what they expected from this King. And they didn’t!

But for now they were shouting – Hosanna to the Son of David!Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!

In a few short days, some of them would be standing in another crowd nearby, shouting – Crucify Him, crucify Him!

What happened? Jesus won't assume control of the city. Throw off Roman occupation. Usher in a golden era of peace and economic prosperity!

No, Jesus has another agenda. One more compatible with his humble arrival to the city! Instead of gold, His crown will be thorns. In place of a throne, He will rule from a cross!

Today many are still only welcoming Jesus on their own terms. Filled with false expectations that He will fulfill their earth-centered dreams of success!

Today the world still cheers Jesus when He is presented as Savior like that. Churches are filled by this method! But tell them what Jesus really desires to do in their hearts...

Don’t get caught up in the crowd! The crowd always misses the meaning of the Royal Arrival – Jesus comes to rule and reign in our hearts!

The student when fully trained will be like his Teacher.

What Do You Want?

Matthew 20:29-34

What do you want me to do for you?

They won’t shut up about it. The crowd tries to quiet them, but they keep shouting - Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!

Isn’t it fairly obvious what two blind men would want Jesus to do for them? Yes, but the “why” isn’t as obvious at first.

I believe Matthew records this simple story as a sign with spiritual implications for everyone.

Jesus stops. Asks them what they want. Lord, they answered, ‘We want our sight!’ .

So, what would we ask if Jesus came to our town? What is a need so pressing we won’t shut up about it? Such zeal that Jesus stops and answers!

Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.

What are we passionately asking of Jesus today? Students of the Teacher might be crying out for sight to be able to follow Him with greater clarity!

Did you notice what these two blind men did when they received their sight?

Was this the passion of their hearts that only Jesus could hear?

Unholy Alliance

Matthew 20:17-28

Frankly, I never saw it before. This unholy alliance between worry and pride! I know they hang out together, but didn’t realize they're so cozy!

Here James, John and their mother come to Jesus with a request. They want the two top positions in His kingdom. The power of authority!

Sounds like pride! But what fuels pride?

Could it be worry and anxiety? If so, what is this family worried about?

Perhaps if they occupy powerful positions, they won’t be anxious about their future economic security. Or maybe, they think once in the top spot everyone will be forced to recognize their valuable contributions to the cause.

Anxiety and pride work together. Anxiety motivates our fears and pride answers.

Are we worried people won’t give us the credit we deserve? Make sure they know - boast!

Anxious about the future? Make sure we are in control – assume supremacy!

Have anxiety about some inadequacy? Put up a false bravado to mask it!

Worry and anxiety usually spur us to prideful thoughts and actions, calculated to get what we fear will elude us.

It’s amazing how often anxiety and pride conspire in our hearts to keep us from relying on God for security.

How do we break up this unholy alliance?

By humbly choosing a greater trust in God to provide everything we truly need.

It Isn't Fair!

Matthew 20:1-16

When the Oklahoma Territory opened for settlement, some Sooners staked their claim before the appointed time.

It’s not a fair way to start a land rush. And according the Teacher, it’s no way to stake a claim in the kingdom of God either!

Actually, He says it’s the other way around - So the last will be first, and the first will be last.

In this parable, the Teacher attacks the seniority system of work-based religion.

The landowner in the story does a scandalous thing. He pays the same wage to all His workers, whether they worked twelve hours or one hour!

Those who worked all day began to grumble. It isn’t fair!

No. No it isn’t! It’s grace!

The landowner asks – Are you envious because I am generous?

Here is the occupational hazard of work-based religion. We are tempted to think spiritual seniority has its perks. Priority goes to rank, and rank is earned by time and quality of service.

Some evidently think they are going to heaven on the installment plan. Mostly by their own merit and a little of God's grace added in to make up the difference! This is why they become envious of those who appear to need more grace because they seem to have less merit.

The grace of God sweeps away all such human convention. All works-oriented boasting passes away as we freely enter God’s Kingdom. Or at least they should.

But they don’t seem to go gently into that good night, do they?

Hard To Believe

Matthew 19:23-30

Who then can be saved?

Jesus standards are extremely high. In fact they represent perfection!

Thus the constant temptation of religion is to lower Jesus’ requirements to accommodate our actual performance.

If we manage to avoid this fraud, we find ourselves stuck in the inconsistency between what Jesus says and what we actually do.

No wonder students who take the Teacher seriously are sometimes tempted to question their salvation? Based solely on the standards of Jesus we are in trouble. It’s hard to believe we can make it!

The Teacher even says it - With man this is impossible!

He sets the bar as high as heaven itself. Nobody can approach God on the basis of performance.

So, like these first students, we throw up our hands in futility - Who then can be saved?

I love Jesus’ answer - But with God all things are possible!

What we can’t do, God doesn’t require of us. Rather, He does for us!

Jesus accomplished perfection. Therefore, He was qualified to pay for the sins of others. When He died on the cross, He wasn’t paying for any sins of His own.

So what are students to do with the high standards the Teacher has revealed?

Honestly acknowledge them! For He promises wonderful rewards to those who struggle with them as they imperfectly follow Him!

In the struggle, we must rest in His grace.

He Asked For It!

Matthew 19:13-22

I stopped giving advice years ago. Went out of the business! Nobody seemed to appreciate my unsolicited two cents worth! Not even the few who actually asked for it!

It finally dawned on me. Most of us only ask for advice hoping to confirm what we already plan to do!

That’s ok, but here we learn not to come to the Teacher for guidance without a willingness to do what He suggests.

We see an eager young man coming to Jesus for counsel. He probably has some plan of his own already worked out, but he gets more than he bargained for. Remember, he asked for it!

He began by asking what good thing he could do to inherit eternal life. Jesus told him to keep the commandments. No problem so far! Why? Because that advice conformed to his own idea about it!

Why didn’t he accept Jesus’ answer and be content? I’m not sure. Perhaps he hoped to impress Jesus. Or maybe he genuinely wanted to better himself in his own way, by adding to his merit badge collection!

For whatever reason, the young man presses! Teacher, I already do all that! What more can I do?

Jesus lets him have it right between the eyes – If you would be perfect - sell your possessions and give to the poor! Oh my!

I think the young man was stunned. We know he went away sorrowfully. He wasn’t expecting anything like that. Who said anything about perfect!

What happened? The young man asked for it. And he got it! But he didn’t get the message!

Do you think he ever figured it out? His need for grace, I mean?

No Fault Divorce

Matthew 19:1-12

The Gotcha Guys are at it again. Setting a trap for the Teacher! This time on the subject of marriage and divorce!

These Pharisees permitted divorce for just about any reason. Much like the recent No Fault divorce laws! Here they hope to entangle Jesus in this sticky web.

Jesus is having none of it. He simply states the truth. God joins husband and wife in marriage and the union should not be broken by man.

Ouch! Just quote the Scripture when we’re looking for commentary – exceptions, loopholes!

They have one more appeal. Why then did Moses allow divorce? Jesus says because you’re too hard-hearted to keep the law.

Jesus then lays down some law of His own. He says marriage can be broken for one reason – fornication.

This is a very strict standard. Yes, the disciples thought so too - if this is the way it is, maybe it’s not a good idea to get married at all!

Jesus doesn’t back up. He simply says, not everyone can remain single. Some can. They are eunuchs from birth and some choose celibacy for the sake of the kingdom.

The Scripture is plain. So are our failures to keep God’s marriage laws perfectly. So what are we to do?

We may be tempted to lower the standard to make our choices legally acceptable.

But it’s better to humbly rely on the mercy of God for our failings in this regard. Just as we must do in all other areas where we fall short!

Remember, if we didn't need a Savior...Jesus needn't have come!