2020-2-5

Matthew 22:1-46

The 22nd chapter of Matthew is part of a larger episode of interactions between Jesus and the teachers of the Law – the Pharisees, scribes, and Sadducees. These groups were the primary religious authority to the Israelites during the time of Jesus, and those to whom the people looked for spiritual guidance, and yet they were the ones who were farthest from God and therefore the most hostile toward Jesus. Their disdain and hostility toward Christ expose their hardness of heart and prideful attitudes. And if they did not accept Christ, how couldthey know God? For He is the only way to the Father.

The Pharisees and Sadducees reveal their hostility toward Jesus in a series of questions that are meant to challenge and trap him. They care not for the truth; rather, they seek to expose his weakness in order to remove his authority and power. In the previous chapter, the chief priests and elders question Jesus, asking him by what authority he teaches and performs miracles and rebukes those who profane the temple (21:23). But Jesus, knowing their unwillingness to know the truth, refuses to give them a straight answer. Instead, he describes to them in three parables the hardness of their hearts in relation to the kingdom of God (21:28-22:14). If they are not willing to see and participate in the kingdom, they will suffer the consequences and the rewards will go to those who are willing.

Still refusing to approach Jesus with earnestness and genuine seeking, the Pharisees go on to ask Jesus whether it is lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not, disguising their attempt to trap him in false flattery (vv.16-17). Again Jesus sees through their wickedness and easily escapes their plan. Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s, he says, a principle that points to the omnipotence and sovereignty of God and the withholding in the Pharisee’s own hearts.

The Sadducees take their turn next, posing a question to Jesus about marriage in the resurrection even though they themselves do not believe in the resurrection of bodies (vv.23-28). Clearly they care not for the answer but only hope to ensnare Jesus in a conundrum. The harsh truth comes from Jesus: you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God (v.29). If they knew the Scriptures, through which they would know God, they would not be attempting to ensnare and dethrone Christ, rather they would be following him as they ought to follow God. They would be coming to him with an open and submissive heart, asking questions and wanting to hear the truth rather than attempting to manipulate him.

The Pharisee’s final attempt is a question about the Law. “Teacher,” a certain lawyer asks, “which is the great commandment in the Law?” (v.36). The supreme love of God above all else with your whole self, and the love of a neighbor as the self which flows from the love of God (vv.37-39). Jesus does not stop there. “On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets” (v.40). Rather than diminish any part of the Law, Jesus reveals that which upholds the whole Law, that which the Pharisees, Sadducees, and teachers of the Law have sorely neglected. Needless to say, the Pharisees were silenced before him.

Finally, it is Jesus’ turn to ask the question, the only question that matters: What do you think about the Christ? As pertains to Scripture, the Pharisees rightfully answer that he is the son of David. And yet he is so much more than the son of David! For even David calls him Lord, deferring to Him as master. And this is where the Pharisees choose blindness over sight, darkness over light, evil over good. They refuse to acknowledge the Lordship of Jesus Christ and merely ascribe humanity to him when He is fully clothed in divinity. He IS the Son of God, the Christ, the King of kings and LORD of Lords who will rule forever!

What is our attitude when we come before Jesus? Who do we say that He is? What do we think about the Christ? Do we come to him with the hardness of hearts and the pride of the teachers of the Law, already set in our ways and our thoughts? Do we come with doubts and anxieties that we believe are too great for Him to bear or conquer? Do we come with complacency about who He is and what He has done for us? Or do we come with the faith and humility of a child of God, trusting in His goodness and believing in Him as the Son of the Most High God who has already saved us from sin and death and will not withhold from us any good thing?

Hear His words today: Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. (Matt 11:28-30)

Let us go to Him for all that this world cannot provide. Let us go to him with open hearts and humble minds.

—-Jessica Sun